Sometimes known as winged flowers, flying rainbows, or jewels of the sky, butterflies are probably the most popular and best loved of all insects. They include 14 families and more than 50,000 species within the order Lepidoptera. Their bodies and wings are covered by tiny, overlapping scales (flattened hairs) that blend together in a mosaic of color and pattern. To humans, butterflies have come to symbolize beauty, grace, freedom, and fragility. They are common themes in art, jewelry, and clothing design. Their images appear on the face of more postage stamps than all other insects combined. You can view a few of these marvelous creatures by clicking on links in the left frame. |