Butterflies are one of the most diverse and beautiful insect species in the world. More than 250,000 species of butterflies live on Earth. From the smallest ones like Western pygmy blue to the largest ones like Queen Alexandra's birdwing, they come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. The presence of these adorable butterflies also indicates a healthy ecosystem around us. Below is a ranking of the 10 most unusual and beautiful butterflies in the world.
10. Morpho Menelaus
Morpho Menelaus is one of the largest butterflies in the world with a wingspan of 5 to 6 inches. They are mainly found in the rainforests of South and Central America. The morpho chalky is easily recognizable by its bright blue wings with black edges.
The wings of male morpho-butterflies are often brighter and more beautiful than those of females. The inner side of the wings is morpho-channeled and colored brown with a number of eye-spots, which helps this species of butterflies to camouflage themselves from potential predators such as lizards, frogs and birds.
Morpho Menelai butterflies spend most of their time in the bushes of the lower tiers of the rainforest, but appear in all parts of the forest during the mating season. These beautiful butterflies also give off a strong odor from their glands when threatened by other animals. They mainly feed on the leaves of various plants, fungi and rotting fruits.
9. Heliconide zebra
Heliconida zebra is officially declared in 1996 as a butterfly of the state of Florida, USA. These butterflies have low-set, narrow wings with a pattern similar to that of a zebra, black in color with yellow stripes. The upper and the inside of the zebra heliconid's wings have the same pattern, but the color of the inside of the wings is much lighter.
These stunning butterflies are found throughout South and Central America. The wingspan of a zebra heliconid ranges from 72 to 100 mm.
The zebra heliconid is the only butterfly species that feeds on pollen. Scientists believe that pollen nutrients help butterflies live longer (about six months) than other butterfly species. They also feed on leaves and nectar. Butterflies of this species make a hissing sound when threatened. At night, they keep in groups and are on the branches of trees.
8. Peacock Pansy
Peacock Pansy butterflies are easily recognizable by their delightful eye patterns. These amazing butterflies are native to the countries of South Asia. The upper part of the wings of the Peacock Pansy is tan in color with brown edges. The wings also have wavy stripes and beautiful "peacock eye spots" that appear more prominent and attractive on the underside of the wings.
The patterns on the inside of the Peacock Pansy fenders change with the seasons. In the rainy season, in contrast to the dry season, brighter patterns and eye spots form on the wings. The wavy lines along the edges of the inside of the wings of these butterflies seem dull and less attractive compared to the pattern on the top of the wings.
Eggs from Peacock Pansy butterflies take 3 to 5 days to hatch. The leaves of the plant on which the eggs were laid become the main food for the caterpillars. The transformation from pupa to butterfly takes another 5-6 days. The adult Peacock Pansy has a wingspan of 54 to 62 mm. They predominantly live in gardens and open areas.
7. Butterfly "eighty-eight"
Unusual butterflies "88" or diatric klimmenia are found in South and Central America. They are named after the black and white stripes on the inside of the wings, which have the outline of the number 88. The same numbering is found in 12 different species of diatherium butterflies, but their color and pattern are slightly different.
The upper part of the wings of butterfly "88" is black, and on the front wings there is also a stripe of blue and green. On the inside of the wings of these butterflies, there are beautiful black stripes on a white and red background. The thickness and brightness of the black stripes differ in different species of 88 butterflies.
Butterflies live in small or large groups, depending on the circumstances. These active butterflies are sometimes found in places where people live. They love to relax on rocks and fertile soil. These butterflies lay eggs on the leaves of the treme, and their larvae feed on the leaves of this plant. An adult butterfly "88" has a wingspan of 35-40 mm. This species mainly feeds on rotten fruits.
6. Forest butterfly "Giant owl"
The fascinating "giant owls" are known for their huge owl-like eyespots located on the inside of their wings. They are members of the owl butterfly family and are native to South and Central America. Large butterflies have a wingspan of 13 to 16 cm. The pattern in the form of huge eyes, located on the wings, is actually similar to the eyes of many predators.
This helps giant owls escape potential predators such as lizards or frogs and threaten other small animals. The upper wings of butterfly owls are yellowish-brown in color with purple edges.
Butterfly owls can fly several meters in a short time. They usually fly through forests or agricultural fields in the evening. Owl butterflies mainly feed on fruits and live from 125 to 150 days.
5. Sylphina Angel
Lovely transparent-winged butterflies live in Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. The transparent insides of the Sylphina Angel wings are framed by a black outside. The beautiful ponytail reflects a fusion of greens, blues and pinks. They spend most of their time under the leaves of plants and only fly in intense sunlight. Previously, this species lived in mountain forests at high altitudes.
Butterflies prefer to fly and search for food alone. But on clear days, they can also be seen in a group of tens to hundreds of butterflies under the leaves of plants. They migrate up to 320 km during the spring season to search for flowers rich in nectar.
4. Butterfly Apollo
The butterfly is easy to recognize due to its interesting white body and eye-spots on the wings. There are several black spots on the front wings of the butterflies, and the hind wings are decorated with four bright red spots. They are found in some specific areas of Italy, Spain and France and are one of the endangered butterflies in Europe. The size and brightness of the red eye spots on the wings of butterflies differ depending on their habitat.
Apart from their beauty, Apollo butterflies are known for their defensive strategy. Their larvae are camouflaged with a dark coloration. Due to the bright red spots, adult butterflies can no longer use camouflage, but they give off an unpleasant odor, threatening predators.
3. Glass butterfly
As the name suggests, these butterflies have transparent wings. Another name for the glass butterfly is greta-oto. They live in Mexico and Colombia. Its transparent wings make it difficult for predators such as birds and reptiles to hunt. In fact, the reddish-brown border on the wings alone makes them visible, but difficult to see. Greta oto butterflies also migrate long distances to Florida.
2. Sailboat palinur
The palinur sailboat is a member of the large family of sailfish butterflies. There are 550 different species in the world. The palinur sailboat is also considered one of the most colorful and largest butterflies in the world. They are usually found in Southeast Asia. The palinura sailboat has shiny green stripes on the wings, and the structural coloration reflects blue and yellow. The inner part of the butterfly's wings is black-orange with a row of blue spots along the edges.
1. Leaf butterfly
The leaf butterfly is an outstanding example of amazing animal camouflage. The inner part of the wings is dark brown, and the irregular patterns and veins on it resemble dead leaves.Unlike the inside, the tops of the leaflet butterfly's wings come in a variety of vibrant hues, including blue, brown, white, and orange. They live in the tropical forests of Asia.
The wing resemblance to dead or fallen leaves makes it easy for them to hide from potential predators. They never fly long distances or at high speeds. Leaf butterflies usually rest in the place where they find food and move only when they are in danger. Camouflage tactics help these butterflies stay in one place for a long time. The nectar of flowers and fallen fruits are the main elements in the diet of leaf moths.
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