Butterfly Beauty - Butterfly Effect
A Short Story By Will Dugan
Butterfly Beauty
There is no need to question why
the beauty of a butterfly.
More than the parts that make it whole,
a butterfly can touch your soul.
So delicate - four wings so fair
that float upon a puff of air
Designed in perfect symmetry,
an eye's delight at such to see.
Six legs to land upon the flower -
to pollinate is in its power
More colors than a rainbow's splash,
a flitting flutter of subtle flash.
Butterfly Effect
The lovely but deadly Barner Clue Butterfly measures 26 millimeters across the widest span of its royal
blue upper pair of wings. The lower pair of wings measures 50 millimeters long and 20 millimeters across
at the widest point, with a backward pointing protrusion on each wing forming a narrow peninsular shape.
The peninsular flaps of the lower wings are decorated by an alternating pattern of gold and pale blue
scales, two spots wide, which are set within a white outline. The entire set of wings is outlined in white
along the outer edge. What sets the Lepidoptera Fatalus apart from any of the other 20,000 plus varieties
of butterflies can be found on the underside of its delicate wings; the slate gray butterfly wing dust is
venomous and quite deadly to the touch. In all other respects this new classification of Insecta resembles
its benign cousins; head, thorax, abdomen, two antennae, six legs and a coiled proboscis for drinking
flower nectar.
Initially classified by the late famed entomologist Bernard Barner just last year in a remote area of
downtown Indianapolis, the Barner Clue Butterfly is spreading alarmingly throughout the upper Midwest and
Canada. It is feared that it will continue to interbreed with other types of butterflies and spread
exponentially until all of North America is included in its native habitat.
Very little scientific data has been compiled due to the lethal nature of the Barner Clue. Within seconds
of contacting the venomous butterfly wing dust, one will go into extremely painful violent convulsions
lasting several hours. Victims have been observed thrashing about on the ground, foaming at the mouth,
ears, eyes, and nose - all the while banging their head with both fists and knees until consciousness is
lost whereupon blood spurts from the body's pores and almost instantly coagulates into spiked scabs.
Would-be rescuers have learned the hard way not to interfere with the death throes of Barner Clue victims,
as their body secretions have proven to be contagious for up to 24 hours following death.
Through a costly series of experiments, it has been discovered that a double layer of skin-tight lubricated
latex will afford protection from the deadly venom dust. By donning what has been dubbed the "Butterfly
Body Condom", scientists are now able to safely catch and study this new species. Thus far, the deadly
insect has resisted all manner of poisons and insecticides, and massive applications of Agent Orange have
been the only successful method of eradication. Like any other classification of Lepidoptera, they are
frail and easily destroyed by force - the problem with smashing them is that the venomous butterfly dust
on the underside of their wings is then released as wind-born spores and are apt to be carried great
distances still capable of unleashing agonizing death on an unsuspecting public.
The Barner Clue Butterfly has demonstrated an ability to interbreed with other butterflies when threatened,
and pass on its lethal defense mechanism to the mix-breed offspring.
Fortunately, the Barner Clue has a benign and short life span if left alone. From larva to natural death
following mating and egg-laying, it lives a mere 60 days. It appears to have no natural enemies, and once
it completes its procreation purpose and dies, it is no longer lethal; the venomous butterfly wing dust
neutralizes itself naturally.
The public is therefore and hereby notified: Get a clue, don't pin a Clue. Pinning a butterfly is not a
nice thing to do.
Copyright © 2009 By Will Dugan