[Pollinator] Bachelor Bob, the lovelorn swallowtail

[Matthew Shepherd (Xerces Society)]

A touching tale of loneliness and matchmaking attempts. Some of you may have already heard of Bachelor Bob, the swallowtail that appeared in January at the drive-through window of a bank in Anaconda, MT. The Billings Gazette recounts the complete story up to Tuesday of last week: http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/03/07/news/state/20-butterfly.txt

And then, from Sunday's Gazette, the inevitable conclusion to the tale:
"A butterfly that emerged from a cocoon at a bank this winter has died, but his memory and a dozen winged would-be companions live on."
Full story at: http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/03/12/news/state/38-anaconda-butterfly.txt

This is an interesting tale on all sorts of levels, showing not only how strongly people can get attached to insects but also how they ascribe human emotions and feelings to them.

Matthew
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The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Protecting wildlife through science-based advocacy, education, 
and conservation projects since 1971. To join the Society, make a 
contribution, or read about our work, please visit www.xerces.org.

Matthew Shepherd
Director, Pollinator Conservation Program
4828 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland, OR 97215, USA
Tel: 503-232 6639 Fax: 503-233 6794
Email: mdshepherd at xerces.org 
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