The astounding story of the fake butterfly specimen Papilio

For April Fool's Day, our Senior Collections Manager Darren Mann recounts the story of an elegantly fake butterfly – Papilio ecclipsis – asking whether it was a piece of scientific fraudulence or practical joke that went awry.

Butterfly eyespots III. Deflect and sacrifice. – Ray Cannon's nature notes

Pinning this beautiful monarch butterfly that had crumpled wings #pinn

P. Butterfly

Papilio Karna Karna Swallowtail Real Butterfly Specimen for Bug Pinning Taxidermy Artwork Natural History Collection Insect Decor Homeschool

Archives – Page 2 – More Than A Dodo

U.S. finally nets global butterfly smuggler

Papilio bachus - Orange Mimic Butterfly - framed butterfly

Real Butterfly, Blue Mountain Swallowtail, Papilio Ulysses Specimen for Pinning Artwork Natural History Collection Insect Taxidermy Supply - Israel

natural history – More Than A Dodo

Making Faux Butterfly Art (And Checking Out Foamhenge)

Papilio for collectors rare Papilionidae butterflies