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.

Papilio bachus - Orange Mimic Butterfly - framed butterfly

e23 Papilio butterfly preserved specimen Shadowbox Display Entomology Taxidermy Oddities Curiosity Floral Decor Victorian Collectible Bugs

120 Swallowtail Butterflies Multiple Images, Stock Photos, 3D objects, & Vectors

The Evolution of Plants – More Than A Dodo

Life Collections – Page 2 – More Than A Dodo

Last minute Christmas gift idea - ever made a butterfly pattern but not sure what to do when it's done? Pin it in a shadow box like a real specimen! Bonus points

The Beautiful Complexity of Naming Every Living Thing - Atlas Obscura

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

Oxford University – More Than A Dodo

P. Butterfly

Papilio Demodocus Ethically Sourced Butterflies,butterfly Gift,butterfly Taxidermy, Butterfly in Frame,real Butterfly,nature Butterfly

Life Collections – Page 2 – More Than A Dodo

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

Papilio for collectors rare Papilionidae butterflies