Tag: Citizen science

by John Opiyo

If you sit quietly at night, you might hear a faint chirp or see a quick movement across the wall or ceiling. That’s a gecko, one of the most familiar yet least appreciated reptiles sharing our homes. These small lizards, with their soft calls and extraordinary climbing skills, have lived alongside humans for centuries. But beyond their curious presence, geckos play a surprisingly vital role in our daily lives.

I discovered this firsthand when I started paying attention to the tiny sounds that filled my evenings. What began as background noise became a fascinating window into one of nature’s most efficient pest control systems.

Meet the Clinging Night Patrollers

When I began observing more carefully, I watched, fascinated, as a pale gecko barely the size of my thumb suddenly darted forward and caught a mosquito right out of the air. Then another, and another. I realised I was witnessing remarkable hunting efficiency in action.

That gecko was likely a Common House Gecko, one of Kenya’s 47 gecko species. These nocturnal hunters use microscopic hairs on their toes to scale any surface, whilst their soft calls help them communicate with rivals and mates in the darkness. They’re evolutionary masterpieces whose toe pads can support their entire body weight on glass.

As my fascination grew, I started noticing smaller, more colourful lizards active during daylight hours. These daytime geckos patrol the same walls their nocturnal cousins abandon at dawn.

It’s like watching a perfectly coordinated shift change. As the house geckos retreat to their hiding spots, these tiny jewel-like creatures emerge to continue the insect hunt.

This tag-team approach means our homes benefit from round-the-clock pest control. The night shift targets mosquitoes that are most active after dark, whilst the day shift handles flies and other insects that prefer daylight hours.

The Human Health Connection

What I initially saw as charming household companions took on new significance when I learned about their public health impact. Living in Kenya, I was aware of malaria risks and the dengue fever outbreaks that have affected coastal counties in recent years.

When I discovered that my little wall-walkers were actually protecting families from disease-carrying insects, everything clicked. These weren’t just cute neighbours; they were tiny guardians working for our health.

The numbers are compelling. A single gecko can consume up to 50 insects in one day or night, targeting many of the same mosquitoes and flies that spread diseases like malaria or dengue. In Kenya, where malaria remains a leading health concern, this natural pest control service is invaluable.

Becoming a Gecko Champion

I now actively encourage geckos around my house. I’ve learned to identify the different species by their calls and behaviour, and I’ve started participating in citizen science projects that document gecko populations.

I’ve identified at least four different species around my home. Each one has its own hunting territory and preferred prey.

I’ve also become an advocate in my neighbourhood, sharing my knowledge with others who might otherwise view geckos as pests. I tell people: before you chase away that gecko, remember it’s working the night shift to protect your family’s health.

Small Guardians, Big Impact

My gecko journey shows how shifting perspective can transform our connection with urban wildlife. What started as mysterious night sounds evolved into an appreciation for one of the most effective natural pest control methods.

Every evening when I hear those gentle chirps, I smile. I know my tiny security team is clocking in for another night of keeping my family safe. It’s remarkable how the smallest creatures can make the biggest difference.

For families across Kenya, geckos offer the same invisible protection I discovered. By simply welcoming these small guardians and learning to appreciate their round-the-clock service, we gain powerful allies in the fight against vector-borne diseases.

It’s funny how we fear what we don’t understand. That gecko I once considered a nuisance had been working the night shift as my personal pest control specialist all along. Now, when I see one dart across my wall, I don’t reach for a broom; I nod in appreciation. We have an unspoken deal: it handles pest control, I provide the real estate.

By Ravi Singh 

One morning, as the sun peeked over the garden wall, my gardener approached me with a troubled expression. “Sir,” he said, “insects are eating the leaves of our plants. We must spray and kill them immediately!”

Curious and concerned, I followed him to inspect the damage. To my surprise, the insects weren’t ‘harmful pests’ at all; they were caterpillars. As a proud member of Nature Kenya, a group dedicated to conserving wildlife and ecosystems, I recognized them immediately.

I snapped a photo and shared it with our Nature Kenya community. Within minutes, someone identified them as Acraea butterfly caterpillars. The news stunned my gardener. “Butterflies come from these? But they’re ruining the plant!” he exclaimed.

The plant in question was Tinospora, a climber with heart-shaped leaves. Interestingly, Tinospora isn’t native to Africa. It originates from India and has been valued for its medicinal properties for centuries, even mentioned in ancient Indian texts. Why did this butterfly choose an exotic plant for egg-laying? Perhaps it was a silent sign: as native plant species vanish due to human development, butterflies have fewer choices. They adapt, turning to whatever is available, often the non-native plants people grow for beauty over biodiversity.

That moment was an awakening.

Many people, like my gardener, don’t understand the butterfly life cycle. They see hungry caterpillars and think ‘destruction,’ unaware that these fragile creatures are on a delicate journey toward becoming pollinators: essential links in our ecosystem.

Most butterflies don’t migrate far. If their host plants are lost, their populations can collapse. Their survival depends entirely on us creating safe spaces and letting nature take its course.

One Nature Kenya member suggested something unconventional: “Why don’t you raise them?”

I had an old empty aquarium. With curiosity and care, I gently transferred the caterpillars into it and began feeding them fresh Tinospora leaves each day.

In less than a week, a miracle began. One by one, the caterpillars stopped eating and crawled to the corners of the glass. Hanging upside down, they transformed into pupae: lifeless and still, like tiny sculptures suspended from the roof.

“Are they dead?” someone asked.

“No,” I smiled. “They’re just dreaming.”

On the sixth day, I saw movement. One chrysalis cracked open, and a beautiful Acraea butterfly emerged, wings soft and shimmering like painted silk.

Then came another, and another. By the end of the week, 30 butterflies had emerged, a 100% success rate!

I called the gardener over. As he watched those butterflies flutter inside the aquarium, his face softened. “You were right,” he whispered.

He had witnessed a transformation, not just of caterpillars into butterflies, but of perception into awareness.

Why This Matters

Butterflies aren’t just beautiful; they are pollinators, indicators of environmental health, and part of the web that sustains life on Earth. If butterflies disappear, so do many plants and animals that depend on them. Raising awareness about their life cycle and habitat needs is crucial.

Why This Was a Celebration

This reminded me – and now perhaps you – that hope can be nurtured in a glass box. Even small creatures like caterpillars deserve our patience, protection, and understanding. It was a celebration of life, of nature’s resilience, and of the power of one small decision to make a difference.

So next time you see a half-eaten leaf, don’t rush to destroy. You might be looking at the first chapter of a butterfly’s story.

And like I did, you too can become part of that miracle.

What We Can Do

• Don’t kill caterpillars blindly. Identify them first.
• Grow native plants, not just decorative ones. Native flora supports native fauna.
• Avoid pesticides; they don’t discriminate between pests and pollinators.
• Teach children the butterfly life cycle. They learn empathy through observation.
• Join nature groups like Nature Kenya. Collective learning leads to stronger action.

By Tilana De Meillon

The journey began by attending a Dudu Walk with the Insect Committee of Nature Kenya in November, and I was ecstatic to see that it was not focused on creepy crawlies but rather on encountering, identifying, and learning more about butterflies and moths! It started off slow as the day was overcast, but within half an hour, having learnt about wood whites, blues, and pansies, I was hooked, especially because I have always wanted to learn more about these beauties. I promptly obtained an identification guide and started walking around the house, trying to identify some of the butterflies in the garden.

Then…I found a caterpillar on my lemon tree growing in a pot on the verandah, and I decided to see if I could raise a butterfly. I put it into a large glass jar but soon realised that it was hard work to ensure an ample supply of fresh host plant material to raise it through all the instars. The leaves wilted so quickly. My energy surged every time it molted and changed so completely through the four instars (at least that is how many I counted). Before I knew it, the caterpillar was a pupa, and then the wait… Just before I gave up and thought it was surely dead, the most beautiful Citrus swallowtail butterfly emerged!

And then I saw another caterpillar on the lemon tree, and the whole process restarted…

The entire process of metamorphosis is an amazing phenomenon to witness, and much can be learned through careful study and observation.

What I learned

During the earliest instars, the caterpillar mostly stays on the host plant; they don’t necessarily need to be in the jar or tank at this early stage. However, beware: if you sleep too late, it may walk away never to be seen again (unless perhaps as a butterfly flying around in the garden).

It goes by quickly, and before you know it, the caterpillar becomes a pupa. Then, it feels like ages before the butterfly emerges. It takes around three weeks to reach the pupa stage and another three weeks until the butterfly appears.

Place several twigs upright or tilted inside the bottle. This offers additional spots for the larva to pupate and for the newly eclosed butterfly to cling to. Keep the jar or tank in a bright area but avoid direct sunlight, as this can significantly increase heat and create a harmful environment for the caterpillar.

These delicate creatures possess soft bodies and permeable skin, making it easy to inadvertently harm them. Minimize handling.

The butterfly, upon emergence, expands its wings to their full size and shape. However, the wings then need to dry and harden before it can fly. During this period, the butterfly must hang onto something unobstructed; it cannot successfully expand its wings on a flat surface.

These wonderful creatures, these ‘jewels on the wing’, symbolize everything that is beautiful and free in nature. Raising and releasing a healthy, vigorous butterfly is truly a cause for celebration!