**Richard Ebright and his Butterfly Collection**

**Introduction:**
Richard Ebright, a renowned scientist and professor at Rutgers University, has a deep passion for studying and collecting butterflies. His interest in butterflies began during his childhood and has since developed into a significant aspect of his scientific research. Ebright's fascination with butterflies stems from their intricate beauty, wide range of species, and their ecological importance.

**Butterflies as Indicators of Environmental Health:**
One of the key reasons why Richard Ebright raises and collects butterflies is because they act as indicators of the environmental health of an ecosystem. Butterflies are highly sensitive to changes in their surroundings, especially in terms of habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. By observing and studying butterflies, Ebright can gather valuable information about the health and well-being of their ecosystems.

**Contribution to Scientific Research:**
Ebright's butterfly collection serves as a valuable resource for scientific research. By studying the collected specimens, scientists can gain insights into various aspects of butterfly biology, behavior, and ecology. These studies can provide crucial information for conservation efforts, species distributions, and understanding the impacts of environmental changes on butterfly populations.

**Butterfly Conservation and Education:**
Another reason why Richard Ebright raises butterflies is to contribute to butterfly conservation and education. He actively participates in conservation programs and works towards promoting awareness about the importance of butterflies in ecosystems. By sharing his collection and knowledge with others, he helps educate the public and inspire future generations of scientists and conservationists.

**Butterflies as a Source of Aesthetic Beauty:**
Beyond their scientific significance, butterflies also possess immense aesthetic beauty. Ebright appreciates the intricate patterns, vibrant colors, and graceful flight of butterflies. Raising and observing these delicate creatures allows him to immerse himself in their beauty and appreciate the wonders of nature.

**Conclusion:**
In conclusion, Richard Ebright raises a collection of butterflies for various reasons. His passion for studying butterflies stems from their role as indicators of environmental health, their contribution to scientific research, their potential for conservation and education, and their inherent aesthetic beauty. Through his butterfly collection and research, Ebright continues to make significant contributions to the field of butterfly biology and promote the importance of these delicate creatures in our ecosystems.

He wanted to tag the monarch butterflies to study their migration. Since butterfly season lasted only six weeks he wouldn’t be able catch many and tag them. Hence, he decided to raise them in his basement. His basement was home to thousands of butterflies for many years.