Butterflies

[The Tiggster]

Can anyone tell me what a group of butterflies are known as? i.e. bees are in swarms,  a flock of sheep etc

Thanks.

[stoo_pid]

Kaleidoscope

[Quizmonster]

'Swarm' can also be used of butterflies; however, they do not tend to form large groups.

[darkstar]

Do you mean that butterflys have got no mates   quizmonster HOW SAD

[Quizmonster]

I can't honestly claim ever to have seen them in a throng or behaving as if with a common purpose myself, DS, in the way bees and ants for example clearly do. I just don't think of them as a "collective" species. It is rather sad, perhaps, the pretty little things!

[kosoro]

They can be known as a Swarm or a Rabble

Google .....group of butterflies

[darkstar]

Quizmonster  Is it just him and her getting it on no threesomes or swinging

[curiosity]

I have seen large gatherings of butterflies around a particular flower, (can't remember the flower/shrubs name) but they seemed to be there independently because of the flower rather than in a familiar group and "together" it was worth watching and fascinating, however, I really know nothing about butterflies and this is purely an observation.

[Quizmonster]

That was exactly the idea I was trying to convey, Curiosity...that one may well see quite a collection of them but each is doing his/her own thing, as it were. When whatever the 'attraction' is has lost its appeal, they go off about their individual business.
I have no idea what their sexual proclivities may be, DS, but good luck to them whatever they may be!

[Pollyfrance]

I would call them a 'flutter-by'

[Quizmonster]

Strangely enough, Polly, there are people who contend that the name 'butterfly' itself actually came from 'flutterby'...given its erratic movements. However, it is far more likely to be related to the fact that the creature's excrement is butter-coloured! Having said that, there is no certainty as to the word's source. Still, I like the notion of "a flutterby of butterflies"!

[The Tiggster]

Thank you everyone, as ever you are a very knowledgeable bunch. "Bunch" being the collective name for a group of Answer Bankers!

The question arose when my Mum & I saw 20+ butterfies on a Buddlela (davidli) bush in her garden, which was beautiful to watch. It's a must have bush if you like to encourage butterflies into your garden.

Thanks again!