What is a person called who studies or collects butterflies and moths?

Generally a lepidopterist is a person that is known to collect or study moths and/or butterflies. And with lepidopterology, it has been publicly acknowledged by pundits as the most recognized and popular of insect orders with many people involved in the observation, study, collection, rearing of, and commerce in these insects (moths and butterflies).

Today, experts tell us that there are over 20,000 species of butterflies and moths in the world. Because of the hard work of lepidopterists, most of the knowledge and facts concerning butterflies and moths has been discovered.

Accordingly as a group of insects, they are now referred to as Lepidoptera, meaning they share many characteristics, including wings covered with scales. The word itself "Lepidoptera" means scaly winged: scaly (lepido from Latin) winged (ptera from Latin). In North America, including Canada, professional studies hold that there are about 725 species of butterflies and moths. In Mexico, there are approximately 2,000 species found in that country.