Butterflies
Butterflies belong to the insect order Lepidoptera. Like all Lepidoptera, butterflies are notable for their unusual life cycle which starts in the larval caterpillar stage, advances to the inactive pupal stage, and undergoes a magnificent metamorphosis into a familiar and colourful winged adult butterfly. Most butterfly species are day-flying and adds to the popularity of those whose hobby it is to collect or take pictures of them. The diverse patterns formed by their brightly colored wings and their erratic yet graceful flight have made butterfly watching a fairly popular hobby.
There are true butterflies (superfamily Papilionoidea), the skippers (Superfamily Hesperioidea) and the moth-butterflies (Superfamily Hedyloidea).
Butterflies are a fascinating incst to study. Some butterflies are known to migrate over large distances. Some butterflies have evolved symbiotic and parasitic relationships with social insects such as ants. Butterflies are important economically as well. In addition to bees, butterflies, are one of the major agents of pollination.