A large number of butterflies flutter in the colorful flowery meadows. They are excellent indicators of biodiversity. They are easy to observe on sunny, warm days. The more the environment is rich in structures such as dry stone walls, streams or shrubs mosaic with dry meadows and forests, the more species will be able to live there.
It is documented that in the early 1900s, when the landscape was more structured and marshes and floodplains covered much larger areas, the butterfly population was 100 times higher.
Caterpillars often feed on only one species of plant, while the adult butterfly depends on the presence of nectar from flowers.
Most of the butterflies in the Monte Generoso region are related to dry meadow plants.