They are important just because they are beautiful and people love to watch them. Butterflies and moths are found in a wide variety of environments all around the world, from the rain forest to the tundra. Tropical areas have the most different kinds of butterflies and they fly all year long. This is because their larval and adult food sources are available all year long. Other species fly only at certain times of the year and remain dormant during times they cannot find food for their offspring.
Some people can develop severe allergies to the scales of adult butterflies and moths.
Some caterpillars have spines for defense against predators and can cause allergic reactions or actually inject venom. In temperate areas, the lifespan of an adult butterfly can vary greatly. Some common temperate species that hibernate and migrate can have an adult stage from 6 to 12 months. The majority of species have a short adult stage because it is their reproductive stage and they only need to live long enough to mate and lay eggs. The biggest butterfly is the Queen Alexandra's Birdwing of New Guinea.