When you think of a butterfly, do you imagine it fluttering through your garden? Maybe landing on a flower in a tropical forest?
Whatever you’re thinking… it’s probably doesn’t involve the Arctic. But butterflies live surprisingly far north!
Less than 20 species of butterflies are known to live in the Arctic. Carnegie Museum of Natural History scientists collected these High Arctic Butterfly specimens on expeditions in the 1930s and 1940s. Five species are currently on display in Polar World: Wyckoff Hall of Arctic Life.
Shown above next to specimens of Icelandic Scallops, are five types of High Arctic butterflies.
