Amazing shapes and incredibly bright colors exist in nature. Without exaggeration, we can say that the butterflies were lucky in this regard, and they rightfully earned the poetic name of fluttering flowers. It is simply amazing how such a marvelous creature emerges from an inconspicuous larva. Among the variety of these amazing insects, thebiggest will present you the largest specimens. Our review presents the largest butterflies, their description and photos.
14
Urania Madagascar
Meet these big beauties, with a wingspan of 12 centimeters, is possible only in Madagascar. Fluttering and collecting nectar of tropical flowers only during the day, and their number increases significantly from May to July.
The color of the wings of Urania is interesting, which shimmers in the sun with all the colors of the rainbow, because it was not for nothing that it was named after the Muse of Astronomy.
13
Sailboat Maak
The largest butterfly, living in the vast Russian Federation, is named after the Russian naturalist of the XIX century, Richard Mack.
The wingspan of this Sailboat reaches 13.5 centimeters, outside the Far East of Russia, it can be found in Korea, Japan and some provinces of China.
12
Ornithopter Chimera
It has long been noticed that this butterfly has unique flying qualities, being able to make amazing turns in air currents. All this allows her wings, the span of which reaches 15 centimeters.
Females differ significantly from males in both size and color. Females, mostly black and white, males are brighter.
11
Peacock-eye Pear
The largest representative of Lepidoptera living in Europe and in Russia. The wingspan varies from 12 to 15 centimeters.
There is a white stripe along the edge of the wings, and in the upper part there are large eyes with a grayish rim. Note that this rare species is listed in the Red Book.
10
Golden Birdwing
In a beauty contest among butterflies, if such was held, undoubtedly, among the winners would be the Golden Birdwing, which also has the scientific name Troyes.
It is quite difficult to meet the beauty-flyer, as she prefers to dwell deep in the rainforests. The wingspan of yellow-golden wings, cast with mother-of-pearl, reaches 16.5 centimeters.
9
Saturnia Madagascar
The beauty of this butterfly struck even money designers, and its image was marked on the bill with 5,000 Malagasy francs.
In Russia, the inhabitant of Madagascar is called the Madagascar comet, and the name "Moon mole" has spread throughout the world. The wingspan of bright yellow wings sometimes reaches 16 centimeters, and the wings themselves adorn long tails. This is one of the most beautiful butterflies in the world according to the entire editorial board of thebiggest.ru.
8
Ornithopter Croesus
On the orange-yellow wings of a butterfly named after the last king of Lydia, there are black accents. But with lateral lighting, 16-cm wings give off a greenish-yellow hue.
Female Ornithoptera croesus is less bright. The habitat of these beautiful representatives of the sailing family are some islands of Indonesia.
7
Trogonopter Troyan
Most of the species names for wonderful insects came to us from ancient Greece. So this view literally means “native of Troy”.
Velvety-black wings grow to 19 centimeters, and the Trojan dwells only on the island of Palawan. So, to see him you need to go to the Philippines.
6
Birdhouse "Goliath"
A bright and rather large butterfly lives high in the mountains of the Moluccan archipelago. Males with a wingspan of 22 centimeters are slightly larger than females and have a brighter color.
The color of the wings of the males consists of three primary colors - yellow, green and black, but the females are brown-brown with light spots.
5
Sailing ship "Antimah"
This beautiful butterfly is the largest of all that are found on the territory of the African continent. According to Wikipedia, its wingspan is 24 centimeters.
The color of the wings is very bright and consists of orange spots and stripes resembling a leopard. But the patterns vary and sometimes make up the most unique ornaments.
4
Peacock-eye "Atlas"
But this butterfly, because of its size, was honored to receive a name in honor of the ancient Greek hero Atlanta, on whose shoulders the sky was held.
Meet the Atlases, the wingspan of which is 26 centimeters, in different parts of Southeast Asia. But in India, it is specially cultivated, receiving magnificent silk from the caterpillars.
3
Peacock-Eye Hercules
Another representative of ancient Greek mythology in the series of large Lepidoptera, named after the hero of Hercules. The wingspan of the giant is 27 centimeters, and it is the largest specimen in the wild of Australia.
Butterflies have an unusual shape of wings with a transparent discoid spot. Also note that this species has the largest wing area, reaching 263 cm2.
2
Queen Alexandra's Birdwing
A butterfly with such a romantic name is the largest of the day butterflies, because the wingspan of this beauty sometimes reaches 31 centimeters.
You can meet it only in the tropical forests of New Guinea, but the sale and export of this representative of the sailing family is regulated by laws on the protection of wild flora and fauna.
1
Titania Agrippina
This is the largest butterfly in the world, which is simply amazing in its size. In the scientific world, it is also called Agrippa scoop. There are several color variations with amazing patterns of stripes and spots.
The night beauty lives among the tropical forests of Peru and Brazil and belongs to endangered species. As a result of migrations, it sometimes reaches Mexico and the southern states of the USA. It barely fits in the palm of your hand, as the wingspan is 30.9 centimeters.
Conclusion
In the photo: Peacock-eye "Atlas
In conclusion, we note that many species of these day and night butterflies are endangered. Many countries have adopted laws to protect and increase their populations, but sales and export are controlled by relevant international conventions.
TheBiggest editors are waiting for your comments. write what are the biggest butterflies you come across in life.
Article author: Valery Skiba