Butterflies are such beautiful and gentle creatures that it is simply amazing how they can exist in this world full of dangers. Our photo collection contains the most beautiful butterflies of the world - living masterpieces of nature.
10. Morpho menelaus (Blue Morpho Menelaus)
One of the most beautiful butterflies in the world impresses with its wings, which reach 12 centimeters in scope. But those who like to explore butterflies and learn more than shown in the photographs know that the magnificent blue color of the blue morpho is just a play of light. While the "wrong side" of the wings is painted brown and decorated with "eyes" of different sizes. This helps the insect disguise itself and hide from predators such as birds, frogs and lizards.
Some tribes of Amazonia consider this butterfly a holy messenger of Heaven, which can convey to the gods the desires of people.
9. Protographium marcellus (zebra butterfly sailfish)
Can you imagine a zebra that can fly? But this really exists. Only this is not a real zebra with hooves and a tail, but a graceful butterfly, the coloring of which resembles this beautiful animal.
If you are traveling in northern America or Canada, you can expect to meet this beautiful black and white creature.
8. Papilio palinurus (Sailboat Palinur)
This butterfly is part of a large family of butterfly sailboats, which has 550 different species around the world. Sailboat Palinur, he is also an emerald swallowtail and a peacock butterfly - one of the largest and brightest butterflies in the world.
These wonderful winged creatures are commonly found in Southeast Asia and have wings with velvety green stripes. Such an interesting color allows the emerald swallowtail to live quietly his short life (up to 10 days), merging with foliage.
7. Aglais io (peacock eye)
Photos of the most beautiful butterflies in the world delight with bright colors, but even among them the Peacock eye stands out for its luxurious coloring. The main background of the wings is red-brown or red-brown. But attention is attracted not so much by him as by 4 large “eyes” with blue spots. The coloration of each butterfly depends on the temperatures acting on the pupa.
6. Greta oto (Glass Butterfly)
One of the most beautiful living creatures in the world has transparent wings. But their mother nature did not create them for beauty, but for protection against predators, who find it very difficult to catch a glass butterfly. After all, only the reddish-brown edges of its wings are visible.
This is one of the few species of butterflies that is characterized by dimorphism between males and females. Females have less bright colors, as necessary to continue the life of the species.
However, even if a predator catches and eats a glass butterfly, it is likely to receive acute poisoning. After all, this tiny creature feeds mainly on poisonous plants of the genus Cestrum, and toxic alkaloids accumulate in its body.
5. Parnassius apollo (Apollo butterfly)
White color symbolizes tenderness and purity. Sometimes it can look very boring. However, white with rich red and black spots is the perfect combination that the Apollo butterfly proudly carries on its wings.
The central part of her body is covered with snow-white hairs, which only enhance the feeling of subtlety and fragility of this creature.
These insects are interesting not only for their appearance, but also for their defensive strategy. In the form of larvae, the Apollo butterfly has a dark color, and thus disguises itself from enemies. Adult butterflies cannot use color to mask, and instead emit an unpleasant odor to ward off predators.
4. Pachliopta hector (Sailboat Hector or Rose Hector)
In the photo with the names of the most beautiful butterflies in the world, we usually notice the luxurious colors of their wings. However, Rosa Hector is primarily noticeable bright red abdomen. And beautiful black-white-red wings are only the final part of the appearance of this unique creature, which would look great on the rarest flowers in the world.
Nature does not create anything for nothing, and the beautiful look of this butterfly just screams that it is dangerous. After all, at the caterpillar stage, it eats plants of the Kirkazonov family, containing aristolochic acid. And accumulates poison in his body.
3. Chrysiridia rhipheus (Urania Madagascar)
The birthplace of this amazing moth with luxurious flowers is, you guessed it, Madagascar. This insect stands out not only for its beauty, but also for its large size. Its wings reach a span of 7-9 centimeters. On the hind wings there are small ponytails, which gives the butterfly an unusual look.
Like most other bright butterflies, Urania Madagascar is poisonous.
2. Diaethria (diethria)
Each photo of the most beautiful butterflies is interesting in its own way. But you will definitely not confuse this butterfly with any other. Its unofficial name is "butterfly eighty eight."
It is in this number that white and black stripes form on the lower wings of the diet. The genus Diaethria includes 12 species, and all of them are decorated with a pattern in the form of 88. Although there are originals who decided to stand out and “draw” themselves 89.
This labeled beauty lives in Peru, Brazil and Bolivia and eats rotten fruits.
1. Argema mittrei (Madagascar comet)
Even if you do not agree that this is the most beautiful butterfly in the world, you will surely recognize that it is the longest. After all, no one butterfly has such a magnificent tail, which reaches up to 16 centimeters in length.
Each wing the size of the palm of an adult is decorated with beautiful "eyes." And no wonder, because the Madagascar comet belongs to the peacock-eye family.
These butterflies do not eat anything at all and live off the nutrients accumulated in the caterpillar stage. Therefore, their flight is beautiful, but very short-lived - 1-3 days.
