Entomologia

 

"Butterflies exhibit polymorphism, mimicry and aposematism. Some, like the Monarch, will migrate over long distances. Some butterflies have parasitic relationships with organisms including protozoans, flies, ants, other invertebrates, and vertebrates. Some species are pests because in their larval stages they can damage domestic crops or trees. (...) Butterflies in their adult stage can live from a week to nearly a year depending on the species. (...) Some butterflies also visit dung, rotting fruit or carcasses to obtain minerals and nutrients.(...) Large numbers of butterflies are viewed as bad omens. When Taira no Masakado was secretly preparing for his famous revolt, there appeared in Kyoto so vast a swarm of butterflies that the people were frightened — thinking the apparition to be a portent of coming evil. (...) In Devonshire, people would traditionally rush around to kill the first butterfly of the year that they see, or else face a year of bad luck".