Everyone has stopped to admire the beautiful colors of a butterfly at some point in time. They conjure up images of sunshine, warmth, and color of flower-strewn fields, summer gardens teaming with life. Choosing the most beautiful butterflies among so many species is no small task. It is also very subjective.
Many species of butterflies are under threat today from environmental changes, sadly. They are widely recognized as indicators of biodiversity and, as such, should be treasured. Their fragility makes them quick to react to change and would give us a warning about any serious change in the surroundings.
Butterflies are not only beautiful, but they are also essential to our habitat. Both months and butterflies have intrinsic value. They are a part of life on Earth and an important component of its diversity. Butterflies have been around for more than 150 million years, so we should take great care not to lose them now.
It is undoubtful that butterflies and moths are beautiful. They are iconic and popular. People simply like them. Butterflies are often used by advertisers and illustrators to indicate that something is environmentally friendly and to appeal to the public. It is no wonder that we see them everywhere, in media as well as in nature.
Perhaps the most beautiful butterfly species in the world are all of the ones currently in existence today. Undoubtedly all of them should be equally cherished. However, we have picked out quite a few eye candies for you to rest your eyes on. Their serene colors and unique shapes are sure to make you smile.
8. Peacock Butterfly
This is sir David Attenborough's favorite species. It is a captivating sight when found in clouds of red on a field bush. The remarkable pattern of eyespots evolved on the wings of this butterfly has evolved to startle or confuse predators. This makes it one of the most easily recognized and most unique butterfly species in the world.
It is easy to say why this butterfly is one of the most beautiful butterflies in the world. It had earned its name from the unique wing markings. The underside of the wings is very dark and looks like dead leaves. This butterfly is relatively large and a very strong flyer.
The Peacock butterfly is not only one of the most beautiful butterflies in the world, and it also has unique migratory habits. It can be found in gardens in late summer, but its nomadic nature will lead the butterfly to range widely through the countryside. Its preferred habitats are the shelters of woodland clearings, rides, and edges.
This species is widespread and has continued to expand.
7. Clouded Yellow Butterfly
One of the few true migratory species, the clouded yellow butterfly, sometimes arrives in huge numbers. This happening is commonly called a clouded-yellow year.
Some of these golden-green butterflies are seen throughout the year, but most of the species are involved in their mass migrations. In 1983, a striking mustard-colored cloud of butterflies could be seen throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom during one such event.
The females of the species range from pale yellow to darker, mustard yellow. In contrast, the male butterflies are darker yellows and greens. This vivid yellow color makes this species one of the most beautiful butterflies in the world.
6. Comma Butterfly
A truly unique butterfly species, the Comma butterfly could be easily missed in nature. With their wings placed together, it resembles a leaf, as it hides from the predators.
The Comma is a positively fascinating butterfly species. Their wings have scalloped edges, and their coloring is cryptic and different for every specimen. They are often found among dead leaves, where they like to hibernate.
The larvae of this butterfly are white and bear a resemblance to bird droppings. Not nearly as beautiful!
Sadly, this butterfly species had been rapidly declining in the 1990s but is now making a slow comeback. They have a flexible cycle that depends on favorable weather conditions.
5. Zebra Longwing Butterfly
This beautiful butterfly species can be found across South and Central America all the way up to southern Texas and Florida in the United States.
The genealogy of the butterfly is easy to guess. It had gotten its name due to the colors and stripes of its wing. They are in black and white, but also could be in yellow. The Zebra butterfly wingspan is 7.2-10 cm, and the wings' underpart is much lighter in color than the upper part.
One unique thing for this beautiful butterfly species is that they have an unusual diet that consists of pollen. This makes their bodies toxic to predators.
4. Emerald Swallowtail Butterfly
No doubt that this is one of the most beautiful butterflies in the world. The name stems from the color and pattern of its wings that resemble a swallow. Truly beautiful and unique, this butterfly is native to Asia.
The Emerald Swallowtail butterfly has a wingspan of 8-10 cm (3.1-3.9 in). Its wings are dark green to black, with emerald green metallic bands. However, the underside of the emerald swallowtail butterfly is black with orange, white, and blue spots along the edges of the hindwings. Quite a combination of colors!
This beautiful butterfly species can be seen in most of Indochina and the Philippines.
3. Monarch Butterfly
One of the most easily recognizable butterflies in the world, but also undeniably beautiful. The monarch butterfly's wings have the upper side of orange color with black veins and white spots. The underside of the wings is very similar. However, it's browner in color instead of orange.
This butterfly is found almost everywhere in the world. It is common, but that doesn't mean that it is not very pretty. It can be found in Canada, throughout the States, and also in New Zealand and Australia, Portugal, Spain, and North Africa.
It has a wingspan that ranges from 8.9-10.2 cm. These species are also very speedy for butterflies. They can reach a flight speed of 5.5 mph.
2. Eighty-eight Butterfly
Diaethria anna or Anna's eighty-eight butterfly is a species that thrives in wet tropical forests in Middle America. Sometimes it is found in southern Texas, but that is very rare.
Their name stems from the appearance of their wings. The unique pattern that they have makes them one of the most beautiful butterflies in the world. The underside of the forewings is red, which is followed by a broad black band and white tips. The underside of the wings is white with a line that forms the outline of the number 88.
Their caterpillars feed on tropical plants, while adults feed on rotting fruit. This species is not endangered, but it has always been very rare.
1. La Chupa Leche Butterfly
One of the largest butterflies in Europe and extremely rare due to their habitats shrinking, the La Chupa Leche butterfly is a work of art.
Their females are able to reach a wingspan of 55-75mm, while males are slightly smaller. Their wings have a bright yellow or yellowish-white background with black bands which stand out. Their hinds wings also have large blue patterns and a very striking tail.
This is what makes it one of the most beautiful butterflies you have ever seen. While their patterns are different as the butterfly grows and ages, every specimen is strikingly beautiful.
Their caterpillar is green, with a yellow band on the back and red spots on the sides. It differs significantly in shape compared to other caterpillars. However, it also has a defensive organ that emits repellent substances when threatened.
