The heartbreaking beauty of butterfly mosaics

This popular Central African Republic art form uses the insects' wings to make sublime pictures

Butterfly mosaics
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Joe Penney))

In a forest outside of Bangui, Central African Republic, men make their living hunting tiny, delicate creatures. With trained eyes, they spot the butterflies, swoop in with huge nets, and capture the dancing insects in a way that preserves each specimen's unique beauty. The day's catch is then sold to artists.

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Sarah Eberspacher

Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.