Tame butterflies

[Wild-Woman]

Yesterday a friend and myself nipped up to the Natural History museum in London. At the moment there is a tropical butterfly event in a display house in the grounds. It was a fabulous experience with hundreds of some of the most beautiful butterflies flitting around amongst the tropical plants.
Several of the butterflies landed on us and also allowed us to approach within inches and although it was tempting to touch- we didn't.
My question is, why do these butterflies allow such so close contact and yet our own native ones take flight so readily when approached?
PS they had the magnificent Atlas Moth there too.

[htcdude]

Maybe they're just so used to people around them? Like with most captive animals that are in contact with lots of humans daily.

Those Atlas Moths are absolutely stunning!

Nige

[markbugman]

I have had quite a few species of our butterflies on the back of my hand but only if the weather is cool (usually first thing in the morning).Some species will tolerate being approached more than others.
Regards
Mark

[Southcoasters]

We have also noticed two 'tame' species at the local garden centres including B&Q which take little notice of people nearby. Early in the season Painted Ladies, then later on Red Admirals.
Snook a little camera (x3) into B&Q one year and got a few decent shots of a Painted Lady.