  Butterflies are free. It's getting them to the screen that sets you back a bit. After the camera, the film, the PhotoCD scan, the computer, the graphics program and the airline ticket, there's the entry fee to the Penang Butterfly Farm, plus a surcharge for your camera. But it's way more fun than a savings account. 
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I'm not a lepidopterist so I don't know their names, except for Bob here. I don't really care for butterfly close-ups without a bit of atmosphere, so I tend to shoot them when they're sitting on something interesting. 
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One of the more common butterflies at the farm is much more attractive with a few flowers. Looks a bit like a solar panel. 
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One of the obvious secrets to shooting butterflies is to set a small depth of field --- the range in which things are in focus in your picture. After seeing excellent photos from the latest point-and-shoot cameras, I think that the ability to set your depth of field is one of the few compelling reasons to buy a more expensive camera. I generally use 5.6 in these shots to create a nicely blurred background and throw the focus on the subject. 
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The other nice thing about depth of field is that you can photograph your sweetheart in front of the filling station and no one will ever know, while the point-and-shoot camera will pick up the name on the mechanic's overalls. Here, for instance, the less-than-attractive, wood-slat-and-screen ceiling fades into artistic fuzziness. 
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The Moth That Ate Milwaukee made even more alive with a green border. These things tend to be in the half-foot range for wing span. 
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Greater numbers sometimes helps in the quest for in-flight photos. Even if you don't get any airbornes, there are sure to be some at rest. 
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Coming in for a landing with the wood slats and screen in the background. One last photo comment: an auto-focus camera is nice, especially if you're firing in all directions, but not really necessary. With a manual focus, simply pick a target plant, focus on that and have patience. 
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Not high but still in the air. It counts. 
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Flaps down! Air brakes on! Fasten those belts and watch those drinks trays, we're coming in for a landing. At least the one on the top is. Below him is the spectator to this controlled crash. 
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Time to branch out. 
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