Why is a butterfly so called?
Question
Why is a butterfly called a butterfly, when it's nothing to do with butter and it's not a fly.
Raj, Ruislip
Answer
** Definitive **
Name: Sue, Harefield
Qualification: I work for conservation groups and lead wildflower walks
Answer: The first butterfly that comes out of hibernation in the spring is usually the male brimstone butterfly and it's bright yellow, like butter. We believe the name was given to all species of butterfly as the first one that came out was yellow.