Has your writing been invaded by a kaleidoscope of butterflies? It sounds as though it would be fun to be surrounded by these beautiful insects, but would it? Or perhaps an intrusion of cockroaches have forced their way in, and we all know they are just about impossible to kill.
Butterflies Drinking by Sharee Basinger, Public Domain
A group of butterflies is known as a flight of butterflies, a kaleidoscope of butterflies, a rabble of butterflies, or a swarm of butterflies. They are gorgeous flying insects and have large, scaly wings. Some are more beautiful than others, but they are all wondrous and intricate. My pick for the collective noun for these winged insects would be a kaleidoscope of butterflies. Just the sound of it creates a beautiful picture in your mind.
Many people get moths and butterflies confused. How can you tell the difference? First, butterflies are usually active during the day, while moths are usually active only at night. Butterflies are normally more brightly colored than moths. The antenna of a moth is feathery, while that of a butterfly is club-like with a swollen tip.
How can you use that information in your writing? A kaleidoscope of butterflies, the name brings beautiful images into one’s mind. You could use that to write a children’s story about a family of butterflies and through the story teach young ones about their life.
Or you could do something I would do and use the name for a group that appears to be friendly, but underneath are anything but that. A group of beautiful young ladies float into a meeting of executives. They are supposed to be representing the company that a deal is being made with, but in reality, have come only to take control. Trained in the martial arts, they quickly take down every person in the room. Now, are they going to use this company they now have control of for good or for bad? Is it possible that they really are out to only do good?
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Ugly, Yucky Cockroaches by Shari Weinsheimer, Public Domain
An intrusion is just the right collective noun for cockroaches. I mean, who wants them around? An intrusion of cockroaches is never welcome in one's home. They are truly disgusting insects, but they are also fascinating.
Did you know that a cockroach can live almost a month without any food? One can live for up to two weeks without any water. It can live without its head for one week, though how it would see to go anywhere is beyond me. They can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes!
Can you imagine if there happened to be a group of evil humans that had the ability to survive just as a cockroach does? Can you imagine the havoc and destruction they could wreak on the world? Why not create a group like this, then create an even stronger group to compete with, and possibly destroy, them.
