Yunnan sees massive butterfly emergence at Honghe Valley

The Honghe Butterfly Valley in Jinping County, southwest China's Yunnan Province witnessed a spectacular natural event when nearly a hundred million butterflies took to the air on Thursday. This annual butterfly explosion reaches its peak in mid to late May, turning the forests into a mesmerizing scene of fluttering wings.

Located between mountains in the area, the valley is home to an impressive array of butterfly species. It hosts 11 out of the 12 butterfly families found in China, with over 320 species recorded. The unique natural environment, characterized by numerous rivers and lakes, supports this incredible diversity.

Butterflies are indicator species of their ecological environment, highly sensitive to climate and environmental changes, and requiring very specific living conditions. Therefore, the phenomenon of a butterfly explosion is closely linked to an excellent ecological environment and the biodiversity of an area, says Yang Zhenwen, curator of the county's butterfly museum.

Each year, billions of butterflies emerge simultaneously in a phenomenon that draws awe and admiration from nature enthusiasts and visitors from around the globe.