Butterflies and Humans
Butterflies and humans have been interacting for longer than we can remember. The beautiful creatures have been admired by people from around the world, dubbed: "little soul" or "soul" from the Russian and Greek languages. Butterflies have even helped to name other species such as the dog Papillon. The little dog originated in France and the french word Papillon means butterfly, describing their large, delicate, feathery ears and colorful head.
For over 3,000 years, the Chinese have been using the threads from the Silkworm caterpillar to create silk cloth. Once this luxurious material was found by outsiders, it was used as an international trading tool between China and other empires, this also helped to describe the international trading route between the countries, the "Silk Road".
In more recent times, humans depend on butterflies to help pollinate plants and crops. The emergence of butterflies in the spring is set with natures time table for pollination and reproduction of plants and animals. This, along with pollination by other insects, have helped to feed humans and animals for many years.
For over 3,000 years, the Chinese have been using the threads from the Silkworm caterpillar to create silk cloth. Once this luxurious material was found by outsiders, it was used as an international trading tool between China and other empires, this also helped to describe the international trading route between the countries, the "Silk Road".
In more recent times, humans depend on butterflies to help pollinate plants and crops. The emergence of butterflies in the spring is set with natures time table for pollination and reproduction of plants and animals. This, along with pollination by other insects, have helped to feed humans and animals for many years.
Education
Butterflies are also an educational subject used in schools to teach metamorphosis. Teachers keep caterpillars in a terrarium for the students to watch eat, grow, create cocoons, and emerge as butterflies or moths. This kind of experiment helps to develop an understanding of the different forms of life. Children's books have been printed to help describe the life cycle of these insects and pique the interest of future scientist.
Media
People have been using butterflies in their artwork and even as the median used in the piece. Butterfly wings are made with colorful scales that make up the patterns we see. Minute dustings we see on our hands are actually scales sloughed off the wing. These wings are used in art and the different colors help to create the image.
We have also written books, poems, like A Fuzzy Fellow Without Feet, and songs about butterflies, describing the beauty and grace of their life. Art has also used the butterfly as dark subject matter in films and books such as The Butterfly Effect or Metamorphosis.
Lepidoptera have been used in differnet themes of art from human metamorphosis pieces, to the mystical and ethereal paintings of fairy worlds, to images in our clothes and jewelry, furniture, cars, sports, and body tatoos.