Butterfies have always played a part in human life. They evoke only the happiest of memories to all who chance their way.
Butterflies are the adult flying stage of insects belonging to Lepidoptera. Moths also belong to this group. The word "Lepidoptera" means "scaly wings" in Greek. This name perfectly suits the insects in this group because their wings are covered with thousands of tiny scales overlapping in rows. The scales, which are arranged in colorful designs unique to each species, are what gives the butterfly its beauty.
A butterfly undergoes a process called complete metamorphosis during its life cycle. This means that the butterfly changes completely from its early larval stage, when it is a caterpillar, until the final stage, when it becomes a beautiful adult butterfly. Most adult butterflies will live only a week or two, while a few species may live as long as 18 months.
Butterfly pictures in this page were taken from Missouri, Vietnam and at the Butterfy house in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
