What is a lepidopterist?

A lepidopterist is a person who studies or collects butterflies and moths. They may study them in the wild or in captivity, and they may be interested in any aspect of their biology, behavior, morphology, ecology, or evolution. Lepidopterists may work for museums, universities, government agencies, or private organizations, or they may be amateur enthusiasts. They may use a variety of tools and techniques to study butterflies and moths, including nets, traps, observation, microscopy, genetics, and molecular biology. Some lepidopterists focus on taxonomy, the classification and naming of species, while others focus on conservation, the protection and preservation of species and habitats. Lepidopterists play an important role in understanding the diversity, distribution, and conservation of these beautiful and important insects.