Butterflies represent one of the two major groups within the order Lepidoptera, the other being the moths. The distinction between butterflies and moths is largely traditional rather than scientific — an arbitrary division based on appearance and behaviour. While almost everyone can recognise a butterfly, few could clearly define what separates it from a moth.

In general, butterflies tend to be active by day (diurnal), often displaying brightly coloured wings held upright over the body when at rest. Their antennae are clubbed at the tips, and their bodies are usually slender. Moths, by contrast, are mostly nocturnal, with feathery or tapering antennae, and they rest with their wings flat or tent-like over the body. However, there are many exceptions to these rules.

Butterflies undergo complete metamorphosis, passing through four stages, egg, caterpillar (larva), chrysalis (pupa), and adult. The caterpillars feed mainly on plants, while adults feed on nectar using a long, coiled proboscis.

Around 60 species of butterfly are found in the UK, ranging from widespread garden species like the Small Tortoiseshell and Meadow Brown to rarer and more local species such as the Duke of Burgundy and Large Blue.

Butterflies are not only beautiful and familiar insects, but also serve as important pollinators and indicators of environmental health, as many species are sensitive to changes in climate and habitat.