| Butterflies have been revered by mankind since before the
dawn of recorded history. They are among the most fascinating
and beautiful animals; even people who care not for insects in
general usually have an affection for these winged wonders. They
live nearly everywhere -- from gardens and forests and mountains
to acid bogs and frozen arctic tundra. Almost 700 of the world's
10 - 20,000 species live in North America north of Mexico. The
butterflies pictured here are captive, live butterflies. Live
butterfly exhibits have become very popular in the United
States, for obvious reasons. Children love butterflies, adults
love butterflies and museums find them easy to raise and
maintain - everybody wins. This happy circumstance is also good
for the wild butterflies - people who used to go into the rain
forest and capture live butterflies, or plunder their eggs and
chrysalises now can be set to work on butterfly farms, thereby
sparing our wild populations, and providing much needed jobs for
many impoverished regions. |
