Butterflies are one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet. Their splendor, they can compete except with flowers. They were always surrounded by an aura of a certain mystery. This even now seems surprising - how an unpleasant-looking caterpillar turns into a beautiful and elegant creature. There are many legends and traditions associated with butterflies. For example, they use the beautiful custom to present a butterfly in China before their wedding in China now. In Japan, they were released during a wedding celebration.
In the world there is an amazing variety of butterflies: small, huge, imperceptible or attracting attention with its bright color. The most beautiful butterflies of the world, with names and images, will be presented to your attention in our review. We will try to make a rating of the best representatives of the order Lepidoptera.
Selection criteria
It is almost impossible to determine the name of the most beautiful butterfly on the planet - it will certainly have about a dozen worthy rivals. By what parameters should the most attractive and spectacular of them be selected? First of all, in appearance. The most beautiful butterfly in the world cannot be plain. One look at her should catch her breath. Size matters too. The brightest butterfly, if it is completely tiny, is difficult to notice and appreciate all its beauty.
Urania Madagascar
The most beautiful butterfly, ranking first in the ranking, hails from Madagascar, which is reflected in its name. She lives only there, in other places she does not meet. The wingspan is 7-11 centimeters. They are covered with a rainbow pattern of yellow, green, red and blue tones. The background of the wings is black, and on it this wealth of colors looks especially magnificent. There are outgrowths on the hind wings - “tails”. The body of the butterfly is covered with long hairs of orange color. An interesting feature is that she prefers to eat on white or yellowish-white flowers.
Saturnia Madagascar
Another representative of Madagascar. The most beautiful butterfly leads a nocturnal lifestyle and has an unusual color - from lemon to orange. The wings are decorated with large "eyes". They have something like a pupil and from a distance very much resemble real eyes. The peculiarity of this butterfly is the presence on the lower wings of outgrowths-tails, reaching 14 centimeters in males. Therefore, its other name is the comet butterfly.
Glory to Bhutan
This most beautiful butterfly belongs to the family of sailboats, almost all of which are particularly attractive. Sailboat Maak, swallowtail, Queen Alexandra's winged bird and many others have long been recognized as one of the most beautiful butterflies.
The glory of Bhutan is interesting because it lives high in the mountains. Against the dark background of the wings, a bright spot located below is immediately evident. The butterfly has several “tails” on the lower part of the wings. It lives on the tops of trees and reluctantly descends to the ground. It has an interesting feature that is not typical for other butterflies - it is more active in rainy weather.
Peacock-eye atlas
This most beautiful butterfly is simultaneously one of the largest representatives of Lepidoptera in the world. The wingspan of it can reach 24 centimeters.
Despite its dim color, the Peacock-eye Atlas attracts attention with an unusual pattern of the coloring of the wings and their shape. They resemble curved snake heads.
The butterfly is also unusual in that it does not feed in the adult stage. She has enough of those nutrients that have been accumulated by the caterpillar. Therefore, the age of these creatures is short-lived - after about 10 days they die, giving new offspring.
Peacock-eye Atlas is not only one of the most beautiful, but also useful insects. In India, butterfly caterpillars are used to make especially durable silk. In some tropical countries, huge cocoons are used as purses.
Caterpillars of this giant butterfly also look unusual. They reach a length of 10 centimeters, painted in light green tones and equipped with light processes.
What is the most beautiful butterfly in the world? Determining who deserves this flattering title is quite difficult. What seems beautiful to one may not cause any delight in another connoisseur of butterflies. You can only make a list of the most interesting representatives of the order Lepidoptera, and each of them will choose the most beautiful of them.