A Monarch butterfly.

A butterfly flutters above bougainvillea.

A butterfly exhibition opened at the Shanghai Zoo on Saturday, featuring a monthlong series of events.

During the exhibition, running through to October 25, about 75,000 butterflies from some 30 species will be released. All are indigenous to China.

The exhibition invites the public to learn about native species of butterflies and display the diversity native to Shanghai, the zoo said.

Visitors will encounter a variety of beautiful butterflies in brilliant colors such as thered admiral butterfly, and laminated common bluebottle butterfly with colored patches.

They can observe how a larva becomes an adult, with 5,000 chrysalis of different species on tree trunks.

At the newly built garden, there are various plants such as orchids and plum trees arranged for the butterflies to rest as well as feed on nectar.

A variety of butterfly-related activities will be also hosted during the exhibition to enrich visitors' experiences.

People are invited to DIY butterfly specimens, and answer quizzes to win gifts and attend lectures.

There will also be tours for children.

This butterfly's dark wings are in contrast to the flowers.

The zoo's butterfly garden features a wide variety of flowers.