Meet the keeper influenced by the Butterfly Effect(2)

5. What did you study at university and what did you do after graduating? 

I majored in biotechnology applications and I used (online shopping website) Taobao to sell butterfly chrysalis (pupa) after I graduated. The chrysalis were priced between three and eight yuan ($0.47-$1.25) each. It was not a profitable business though. Sometimes there were no orders for a whole month.

6. How did you get in touch and work at Qicaidie Ecological Garden? 

It was purely by coincidence. I am a member of a QQ (online chat) group that deals with butterfly chrysalis. One day, I chatted with the manager from the technology department of Qicaidie. He thought that I was suitable to help him, so I was invited to visit Qicaidie in Beijing and finally found full-time work there last month.

7. What does a typical day of work entail?

Firstly, I need to check the caterpillars and pick out the sick ones to quarantine them and prevent others falling ill. Secondly, I check the chrysalis and pick ones that already hatched from the pupal case and ones that have parasitized. Finally, I check eggs and sometimes help butterflies reproduce. 

8. Who are the buyers in China's butterfly trade, and why do they buy them?  

China's butterfly trade is still in its infancy. Butterflies can be used for many purposes. They can become specimens, be used during blessing rituals at weddings and be used as subjects for art.

9. What are your future plans?

I want to contribute to growing China's butterfly trade. We need to first secure a higher survival rate of butterflies, then introduce more types to the country. I need to improve as a butterfly keeper. I hope in the future I can find a way to cure butterflies and caterpillars suffering from enteritis.