(left) While the biggest and most beautiful butterflies became specimens, ones that were dead, damaged, or of inferior quality became material for collages. Butterfly wing collages helped Taiwan crawl out of poverty. But today the very idea is upsetting. (courtesy of Lin Hsiu-ling)

Once known as the Butterfly King-dom, Taiwan used to be the country with the highest density of butterflies. Of the 12 butterfly families, 11 can be found in Taiwan, and given the island's isolation and long periods of evolution, there are over 400 species here, 50 of which are endemic.

Butterflies, which occasionally make surprising appearances in the urban jungle, are the most googled insects on the Internet, but most people don't know much about them. From now until December 12, the National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung is holding an exhibition titled Butterflies Formosa, featuring specimens, 3D animation, high-resolution photos and valuable historical materials, explaining the amazing facts behind the stunning appearance of the butterfly.

The exhibition features five major topics revolving around the idea of a travelogue: People and Butterflies, Knowing Butterflies, Studying Butterflies, Butterflies and Culture, and Protecting Butterflies. At the entrance is an illustration by Lin I-hsiang titled People, Butterflies and Food, showing the Taiwan sassafras (Sassafras randaiense) eaten by the caterpillar of the broad-tailed swallowtail (Agehana maraho) and the wild orange tree (Toddalia asiatica) favored by the larvae of the spangle (Papilio protenor).