Research on the current status and sustainable development pathways of China's butterfly industry

As an emerging industry that converges ecological value with economic potential, the butterfly sector demonstrates diversified development both in China and globally. This study systematically analyzes the scale expansion, market landscape, and industrial chain structure of China's butterfly industry with an interdisciplinary perspective, revealing its multiple business characteristics encompassing ornamental value, handicraft attributes, as well as scientific research and educational functions. Research findings demonstrate that the contemporary butterfly industry is confronted with multifaceted challenges, including bottlenecks in large-scale breeding technologies, pressures from ecological conservation, and intensifying market competition. Nevertheless, policy support, consumption upgrading, and technological innovation collectively constitute pivotal opportunities for its development. Against this backdrop, this paper examines two different development models through case studies, one is from Dongfang village in Shaanxi Province, and the other is from "Honghe Butterfly Valley" in Yunnan Province. These cases illustrate how varied resource endowments lead to distinct development pathways, and they also reveal shared experiences in extending industrial chains and sharing benefits with local communities. Finally, specific strategies are proposed to promote the sustainable development of China's butterfly industry from three dimensions: technological innovation and talent cultivation, market diversification and brand building, as well as ecological conservation and industrial synergy, with the aim of providing insights for industrial standardization and the revitalization of rural industries.