Project Large Blue

thingiverse

This print is a wildlife survival multitalent!It does not only help to provide food and nutrients for wild birds, but also creates new habitats for the magnificent large blue butterfly!How? Let me explain below:The large blue butterfly (phengaris arion) is an endangered pollinating species. It does not only look stunning, it also leads a pretty special life, including a parasitic relationship to ants.If You want to learn more about this fascinating Creature, there is a great BBC Clip, narrated by David Attenborough, which you will find here:https://youtu.be/4JoEWdV7tpQOk. But how does this print help butterflies? By using the magic of bird poop!To thrive, large blue butterflies need 3 things: Shortened grass areas for ants to live inA large population of ants to care for the caterpillarsThyme to lay their eggs onLuckily, there is a place where we can find shortened grass and a LOT of ants - public parks!And luckily Thyme Seeds are small enough to not be digested by most birds, making bird poop our seed bombs, by including them in our bird food!Just hang a feeder in your neighborhood park during winter, and with a bit of luck, large blue butterflies will appear in the following year.By following the instructions below, you will help birds and butterflies alike, while also having a fun time. It prints quickly, so give it a try!This project is a result of the "pollinators paradise" seminar, conducted by Copenhagen based design and art duo Wang & Söderström at the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design, in 2024.