Butterflies or Hymenoptera (Lepidoptera) are a group of winged insects. The order of butterflies is the second largest among animals after that of beetles: there are about 160,000 described species. Butterflies live in diverse habitats: from cold tundra to desert-like areas. Most species live in tropical or subtropical areas. Unlike most insects, butterflies are loved by the general public. Many adult butterflies have a striking appearance and also cannot sting or bite. They play a role in several cultures and are a frequently used subject in art. Butterflies often have a characteristic fluttering flight and widely varying wing colours that are considered decorative in a number of species. Because the body is easy to preserve and the sometimes variegated colours are not lost in the process, butterflies have long been collected all over the world.
Alex Hiemstra, Fotograaf uit Den Helder. Met een passie voor Strand- en landschapsfotografie... Read more…