THE COMPANY
Paros,
Sun, sea, white beaches, olive groves, picturesque country chapels, low vegetation, vineyards, farm fields and suddenly a mirage, an optical illusion ...“an oasis “…. 7 km west from Parikia, there is place well known as the Valley of the Butterflies or Petaloudes (from a Greek translation), an idyllic landscape of dense vegetation and abundant running water, a unique monument of Natural beauty. The area is a small park with paths and steps, so making your way around is rather easy . There is a small fee to enter, but it’s worth for the shade and a quiet place to rest .
The park is open from June to September from 9AM to 8PM. The best way to reach this sight would be by renting a scooter or car and tours are also available from Parikia and Naoussa. During the months of June to September, huge swarms of Jersey tiger moths settle on the foliage. When they fly the sight is fantastic because the underside of the wings are a vivid red which contrasts with the blackness of the rest of them.. Visitors are amazed by this fairy tale land, where thousands of butterflies flutter all around, creating a breathtaking image. A must for any nature lovers, something not to be missed. You should visit the « Βutterflies » during the summer.
BUTERFLIES
Τhe scientific name of our butterflies is panaxia quadripunctaria of the familly arctiidae. it differs from other butterflies in that it is a night butterfly or moth ,but together with other species of butterflies is a member of the lepidoptera family.
Τhe valley in which you find yourself has always been known as « petaloudes » as it is in greek. it is a veritable oasis as water comes into the valley from a natural spring all the year around. this continuous water has resulted in all manner of trees, the cypresstrees which are four hundret years old, and ancient olive trees, as well as a great many kinds of fruit trees , apricots, pears, plums, peaches, oranges and others. throughout the valley and a firm favorite with panaxia is the ivy or which you will known for its clarity and brilliace, and you rapely see it to better advantage than slanting down through the various green shades of the valley.
During its development panaxia passes through four clear stages. transformation. egg. caterpillar. chrysallis. it is only when panaxia is fully grown that it finds its way to the valley. why? because the species has need to be in a cool environment and close to water in its mating season which is from early june until mid september. how do they get here? it is thought by a sense of smell, an olfactory sense which guides them to the perfect environment. They come at night, slowly to begin with in the first days of june, and the numbers dramatically escalating until in august panaxia is to be counted in millions...when there are clouds of butterflies a beautiful and rare sight, at it is quite natural - a natural migration. there are one or two smaller packets of panaxia to be found in out of the way places of the island, but these places seen to be used by panaxia as staging posts on the way to the big valley.
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