For several weeks, the island has been invaded by clouds of white butterflies. It's beautiful and a bit surreal at the same time. Many people wonder where they come from and why there are so many of them.
Butterflies are born and grow up in Saint-Martin and their population explosion is linked to the pattern of wet and dry seasons on the island.
The Great White of the South (Péride du Tapier, Ascia monuste), locally called "Saint-Martin Snow" (the snow of Saint-Martin) is a native species that can be found all year round on the island. The large southern white caterpillars indeed eat a wide variety of plants, which allows them to increase their population considerably when vegetation is lush.
Their numbers gradually increase as rainfall becomes more frequent, peaking in mid-autumn or early winter.
In summary, after a dry summer and thanks to the abundant rains of the past month, the eggs, larvae and then caterpillars of the "Great White of the South" had an abundance of vegetation to feed on, which allowed a greater number to survive. . Now transformed into butterflies, the insects have taken flight in the Saint-Martin landscape. Yes nature is beautiful, so let's respect it! _AF
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