Oracle Distributed Systems

Colophon

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Butterflies are featured on the cover of Oracle Distributed Systems. These are three of the thousands of species of butterfly. Butterflies, along with moths and skippers, make up the order Lepidoptera. The word “Lepidoptera” is derived from the Greek words lepic, meaning “scale,” and pteron, meaning “wing.” And, in fact, butterfly and moth wings are covered entirely in tiny, overlapping scales. The coloration of these fragile scales is what creates the spectacular, shimmering colors of the butterfly. The wing membrane itself is transparent and without color. Butterfly scales and hairs are covered in a thin layer of wax, making these insects water-repellent.

Most butterflies fly by fluttering their wings at a relatively slow rate, sometimes as slowly as 10 beats per second, approximately four miles per hour. Unlike many other insects, who beat their wings so fast that they become just a blur in flight, the butterfly’s wings are clearly visible during its fluttering flight.

Butterflies are as well known for their four-stage metamorphosis as they are for their colorful wings and graceful fluttering. An adult female butterfly lays a large number of eggs, usually on or near food plants. The larva, better known as the caterpillar, develops ...