When Kaleidoscopes Fly
More often than not, caterpillars get all the credit from awed bug-hunters. They’re fuzzy, some of them are massive, and they don’t have any issues climbing into your hand (so long as you don’t grab a venomous one)! But butterflies deserve a bit of the spotlight, too. Once they sprout from their cocoon, they boast incredible colors and liven up any garden. With that, let’s explore some of the best-looking ones.
1. Monarch
We know, we know! Monarchs seem a little “boring,” but this stunning butterfly is anything but. Their wings look like sunsets speckled with white, and as an endangered species, it’s always a treat to lay your eyes on one. They’re the ultimate sign that the warmer weather is officially here.
2. Glasswing
It’s not every day you see a transparent butterfly! Glasswings can camouflage themselves in just about any environment, so you’ll need high-powered peepers to spot one. However, if you ever see them in the wild, you’ll witness one of the prettiest butterflies in nature.
Scott Wylie from UK on Wikimedia
3. Blue Morpho
The only thing better than this butterfly’s gorgeous color is its impressive size. It’s considered one of the largest species around, with a wingspan of 5 to 8 inches! You won’t miss it when you see it, especially since its wings reflect light.
Mira Meijer Burgers' Zoo on Wikimedia
4. Emerald Swallowtail
Officially known as Papilio palinurus, this butterfly actually goes by many names. Whether you know it as the Emerald Peacock or the Green-Banded Peacock, it’s a phenomenal butterfly with striking green strips down black wings. In the right light, you might just see them shimmer.
Ashleigh Robertson on Unsplash
5. Zebra Longwing
Forget about spotting zebras on safari—you could just be lucky enough to snap a picture of this striped butterfly. Aside from their color, one of the coolest things about them is that they eat passion flower leaves, a poisonous plant that makes them dangerous to predators!
