The world of lepidopterans is full of patterns and defense mechanisms that border on the sublime. Vibrant colors distributed in the form of patterns, which give them the opportunity to camouflage themselves in their natural environments, is what makes butterflies the most beautiful insects in all of nature. These small animals have stolen the hearts of many and no wonder, they come in all colors, even with transparent wings. Furthermore, their shapes are so angelic that they seem straight out of a fairy tale. But even among them, there are some that stand out more than others and these are perhaps the most beautiful species in the entire world.
1. Crystal butterfly
Called Greta oto, the crystal butterfly is one of the most beautiful of all thanks to its transparent wings that resemble crystals. Its size ranges between 5.5 and 6 centimeters in wingspan and it is endemic to Central America. Their wings are meticulously built by evolution through hydrocarbon nanopillars that give them their crystalline appearance.
2. Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing Butterfly
This butterfly receives a very sophisticated name that honors its physical appearance of great beauty. Its scientific name is Ornithoptera Alexandrae and it is the largest diurnal butterfly in the world with a wingspan of almost 31 centimeters. It is for this reason that the name ‘bird wings’ suits it very well, as it is sometimes confused with a bird due to its large size. It is endemic to New Guinea, however, it is under threat due to the spread of palm monocultures in that region.
3. Machaon
With the scientific name Papilio machaon, this butterfly is one of the most beautiful in Europe. Its wings have intricate patterns that are interspersed with shades ranging from iridescent blues to pastel yellows. Unfortunately, it is in danger of extinction and has stopped being seen in some temperate areas of the Old Continent. It also lives in northeast Africa, the Middle East and some parts of North America.
4. Zebra Butterfly
Unlike many other butterfly species that tend to make long-distance migratory journeys, the Heliconius charithonia, also known as the zebra butterfly, is a sedentary species. As its name suggests, this lepidoptera has developed patterns similar to those of zebras that mix black colors with white stripes. It lives in some areas of North America such as Florida or southern Texas.
5. Morpho Butterfly
If there is a butterfly that refers to fairy forests, it is the Morpho butterfly. Our eyes capture its colors as an intense, vibrant and iridescent blue, which is what makes it so beautiful. However, this is an illusion because the color of this lepidoptera is not of that tone, but rather it acquires its tone thanks to the reflection of light, a phenomenon known as ‘structural coloration’. Morpho butterflies live from Mexico down to the entire part of America. Unfortunately, their beauty has been an important factor why they are in danger of extinction, since they are used as manufacturing for jewelry and cabinetmaking.
6. Elizabethan Butterfly
Its scientific name is Graellsia isabellae given by its discoverer, Mariano de la Paz Graells, who named it in honor of Queen Isabel II of Spain. It is a mostly nocturnal butterfly that reaches 9 centimeters in wingspan and lives in the Iberian Peninsula. The patterns present on its wings, which also have a different shape from most butterflies, place it among the most beautiful butterflies in the world.
7. Monarch Butterfly
They have earned the respect of biologists thanks to their great migratory journeys that they undertake for months to protect themselves from the cold of the northernmost regions of America. But in addition to this, they are also called for their colorful wings splashed with orange and black colors that form intricate patterns that anyone will fall in love with.
8. Green Butterfly
This species is like the peacock of butterflies, it has green colors that transform as direct light reaches its wings. Scientifically named Papilio palinurus, it is a relatively small butterfly as it barely reaches 8 centimeters in wingspan. However, it is so beautiful that it flashes emerald hues that make it one of the most beautiful butterflies in the world.
9. Marble Wing Butterfly
Just as its name says, the beauty of this lepidoptera is due to the fact that its wings seem to be sculpted from marble. With colors ranging from cream to gold, the patterns of both shades intermingle to give a gemstone effect. It lives in North America from southern Alaska to central California, although in recent years it has seen a dramatic decline in its populations.