Every Australian knows Ms Densey Clyne from her many books and articles on the Australian biota and from her appearances on the "Burke's Backyard" TV show. Some may have thought she has "disappeared". Well she has. She moved from suburban Sydney to the wilds of Wauchope, NSW a few years ago where she continues her writing.
Densey has just produced a new book, published by New Holland. She provides a note on its content below.
“An egg on its way to being a butterfly. The unlovely child of a
pretty moth. Gardener's bane and farmer's foe. Is that how we see
caterpillars ? Are they really nothing more than expendable pests,
guzzling grubs doing mayhem on our prize plants? Nothing could be
farther from the truth. Upstaged by their glamorous parents,
caterpillars are worth more than a passing glance or a shot of
insecticide.
“ Caterpillars play an important role in the health of the planet as
recyclers. A major food source for other animals, their vulnerability
has led to amazing defence strategies and lifestyles. They are the
architects and artisans of the insect world. They carry inside them the
blueprints for some of nature's loveliest creations, and they too can be
stunningly beautiful.
“There are many books about butterflies and moths but their long and
eventful lives as caterpillars is usually overlooked. My book “The Secret
Life of Caterpillars” seeks to set the record straight. Aimed at
readers young and old it presents the larval forms of the Lepidoptera as
diverse and fascinating little animals in their own right. Densey Clyne"
No comments:
Post a Comment