David Holmes Collection of Butterflies and Moths, Treasures, Museum Victoria celebrates 150 years, Australia, Victoria, Melbourne

David Holmes Collection of Butterflies and Moths
One of David Holmes’ lasting memories of his time in New Guinea during the Second World War was of the magnificent butterfly fauna. When he returned to Australia, he took up butterfly and moth collecting, which soon became his passion.	Many butterflies communicate with each other using special chemical secretions, called pheromones. These chemical ‘messages’ may be used by a butterfly to signal its species or attract potential mates.