Special exhibition “Did you know? Butterflies from 47 prefectures” held at Kashihara City Insect Museum, Nara Prefecture

A special exhibition titled ``Did you know? Butterflies from 47 prefectures'' is being held at the City Insect Museum in Minamiyama-cho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture.

Specimens of ``prefectural butterflies as symbols of conservation'' selected by the Japanese Lepidoptera Society (Tokyo) in February 2025, such as Nara's ``Butterflies'' are on display. The City Insect Museum said, ``We want to increase the momentum to protect the rich nature that remains in each region.'' Until July 12th.

The ``prefectural butterfly'' was chosen by members of the Japanese Lepidoptera Society. Because some municipalities have the same butterflies, a total of 35 species were selected.

The City Insect Museum has specimens of about 250 domestic butterfly species, and in support of the selection for conservation purposes, a special exhibition was held.

The yellow-bellied crow is a small butterfly with a wingspan of 2 to 3 centimeters at both ends. It has been confirmed to live in the mountainous areas of the southern part of the prefecture. It was chosen in common with Kochi Prefecture because of its cute red markings on its black wings.

The popular ``Omurasaki'', which is also the national butterfly, has become the butterfly of both Yamanashi and Shiga prefectures. The Gifu butterfly, which has a prefecture name in its species name, is a butterfly found in Gifu, Yamagata, and Kanagawa prefectures. Okinawa Prefecture is home to Ogomadara, one of the largest butterflies in Japan, with a length of about 13 centimeters.

Curator Hiroshi Ikeda said, ``I want people to know that not only the popular giant purple butterfly, but also small butterflies inhabit the prefecture and need to be protected.''

Closed on Mondays. Adults: 520 yen, university/high school students: 410 yen, junior high school students and younger: 100 yen. For inquiries, please contact the City Insect Museum (0744-24-7246). [Narumi Minaki]