Yunnan witnesses largest butterfly emergence in a decade

Photo taken on May 20, 2021 shows butterflies in the Butterfly Valley in Southwest China's Yunnan province. [Photo/Xinhua]

KUNMING -- Around 150 million butterflies emerged on Thursday in a valley in Southwest China's Yunnan province, making it the largest surge of butterflies here in a decade.

With a warm and humid climate all year round, the Butterfly Valley in Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture is home to over 400 butterfly species.

From May to June each year, a spectacular "butterfly explosion" appears in the valley as caterpillars break out of cocoons in a short period. They appear in clusters in forests and along the streams and pathways, said Yang Zhenwen, a butterfly observer in the valley.