Butterflies are the
world’s second-largest pollinators. They develop through four stages of life,
undergoing metamorphosis and feeding off their own eggshells for their
first meal. There is a huge variety of butterflies worldwide,
with 20,000 different species and a diversity of shapes and
coloration. The size of the insects can range from 1/8th inch to 12
inches. Butterflies do share many aspects, such as the ability to see
only 3 different colors: red, green and yellow. Yet there are still enough
differences to set them apart. Below is a list of the top 10 most beautiful
butterflies in the world.
1) Crowned Hairstreak
With a
wingspan ranging up to 60 mm in Males, located in southern Mexico,
until Ecuador, this butterfly is known as the Crowned Hairstreak or Evenus
coronata. It is a very rare butterfly that also comes in a green color.
2) Chrysiridia rhipheus
This daylight butterfly
started out being considered a moth, until Dru Druli placed it in the genus
“Papilo.” It is native to Madagascar, the worlds 4th largest island. The
wingspan can vary from 6-11 cm & they always have 6 tails, which
could be lost or harmed during their life.
3) Janetta Forester
With large patches
of metallic blue, green, orange or red, these butterflies originate from
Africa. This butterfly lives and reproduces in the rain forest, flies close to
the ground and is attracted to fruits.
4) Amber Phantom Butterfly
These unique
butterflies have transparent wings, are often found proximate to bamboos &
live in deeply shaded rain forests. The Amber Phantom Butterfly is
crepuscular and is rarely seen in vivid sunlight.
5) Rhetus periander butterfly
These butterflies are
far from clingy. Their radiant blue color speaks for their beauty. They are
usually found individually, or in low numbers. They are known to play in the
mud after mating, & have been found feeding on juices of a dead tarantula.
6) Teinopalpus aureus butterfly
Beautiful greens &
golds decorate this Teinopalpus aureus. It has a strong, rapid
flight, and a beautiful personality as well. The butterfly is very rare,
therefore not much is known about it. However, it is protected by Chinese law.
7) Blue Morpho Butterfly
One of the largest
butterflies in the world, the Blue Morpho tastes with sensors on their
legs and feeds on fermenting fruits. To scare off predators, they close their
wings, which have a less beautiful, camouflage coloring. Males are more vivid
in color than females to intimidate other competitors for their territory,
although the females are beautiful as well.
8) Blue Clipper Butterfly
The Blue Clipper
butterfly (Parthenos sylvia) is an energetic, fast butterfly. It feeds off of
Lanatana tropical plants & is found in Asia. They come in a blue &
brown color.
9) Western Blue Beauty
The Western Blue
Beauty, Protogoniomorpha cytora, is found in the West coast of Africa. In
lowlands, it could be found sunbathing, with its wings spread out.
10) Birdwing
Taking a month to
develop, with a wingspan of up to 1 foot, the Birdwing is the largest
butterfly. The females differ from males because they are brown. Without the
beautiful bright green and yellow coloring, however, the female has white
markings.