When Akshita, as a toddler, used to loiter in the courtyard and bring tiny worms or insects inside the house, her parents scolded her and tutored her on the importance of hygiene. Only years later they realised that it was not just childish whims but a sign of a deep-rooted curiosity towards nature.

Now, at the age of nine, the class IV student has made rearing butterflies her not just hobby but a dedicated occupation. The ingenuity of Akshita, a ward of Edakkunnam Mary Matha Public School, near Kanjirappilly in Kottayam, was first noticed by her teacher, Manju Cherian. 

"It was the teacher who spotted her innate interest in lepidopterology and trained her on the means and ways to culture and rear butterflies and moths," says Akshita's mother, Parvathy.

 "Akshita, has been an active participant in various activities of the Eco-club in the school, which is spearheaded by Manju Cherian. The club has won several environment-related contests conducted by Malayala Manorama's Nallapadam," she adds. 

Akshita has so far reared as many as 30 butterflies and moths in the last six months. She collects the larvae which are stuck on leaves and twigs of plants in the yards. She then keeps the larvae in a bottle, which is closed with a cloth ensuring air circulation. When they turn into pupae, they are in a sleeping mode. Akshita cleans up the bottle and keeps the surroundings conducive towards the formation of butterflies. 

"Interestingly, Askhita documents each of the stages, recording the size, colour, time span of the transition and so on. She has an uncanny talent for observation and persistent research work," Parvathy says. Apart from engaging herself with nature, these entomology activities keep her away from TV or mobile.

Akshita's mother Parvaty is an English teacher at the higher secondary secondary section of the Edakkunnam Mary Matha Public School and her father, Sumesh Mohanan is an electrician.