A visitor takes a photo of butterfly specimens at the exhibition in Nantong on July 1. [Photo/ ntfabu.com]

An exhibition of artifacts produced by a local teacher Hou Xu opened at the Shen's Embroidery Museum in Nantong, Jiangsu province on July 1 and will run until July 20.

On display are thousands of butterfly specimens from around the world as well as sesame paintings created by Hou.

Hou is a member of the butterfly sector of the Entomological Society of China and has been devoted to science education for youngsters for years.

Keen about nature since a young age, he started collecting and making insect specimens in 1984.

Over the past decades, his passion has taken him to Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangxi, Hebei, Sichuan, Shaanxi and Yunnan provinces.

The specimens he made have been exhibited at schools and communities and have won provincial and national awards.

Inspired by ancient literary works and the charming colors of butterflies, Hou also invented a type of painting using butterfly wings.