Butterflies are the most beautiful insects that belong to the category of Lepidoptera. In the world there are about 165 thousand species of winged beauties of various colors and sizes.
In our today's rating, has the biggest butterflies in the world in wingspan.
10
Tail wag of Maaka Wingspan up to 14 cm
The tail of the Maaka is the most beautiful and large butterfly in Russia with a wingspan of up to 14 centimeters. It was named after the Russian naturalist RK Maak, who discovered this species. Another name for the tailpiece is the blue machaon. Males are more beautiful than females and have a dark green color, iridescent in the sun. Females prefer to live alone, but male males often gather in flocks and during the flight form a surprisingly beautiful sight. You can meet the machaon in Southern Sakhalin, in the Eastern Transbaikal, in the Northern Priamurye and in Korea. This rather rare species is listed in the Red Book of Sakhalin.
9
Peacock eye pear Wingspan 15.5 cm
Peacock eye pear or big night peacock eye is one of the biggest butterflies in Europe. The largest individuals have a wingspan, reaching 15.5 centimeters. Females exceed females in size. The peculiarity of male individuals is that they can smell the smell of a female for several kilometers. Each of the wings of peacock-eyed pear tree is decorated with a dark eye. The species is widespread in the Caucasus, Iran, Asia, the Crimea, Central and Southern Europe. The population size is insignificant and threatened with extinction.
8
Madagascar comet Wingspan 18 cm
The Madagascar comet or the African lunar moth is not only one of the largest, but also the most beautiful butterflies in the world. Large individuals have a wingspan of up to 18 centimeters. Females are much larger than males. The wings of the winged insect have long tails that can grow to 20 cm. The life span of one of the most beautiful and large representatives of Lepidoptera is only a few days. During this time, the Madagascar comets do not feed, in the absence of a mouthpiece. Their vital activity is supported by nutrients accumulated in the caterpillar stage. The species is active only at night. An insect inhabits the tropical forests of Madagascar.
7
Ornithoptera crease Wingspan 16 cm
Ornithoptera crease occupies the seventh line among the largest butterflies in the world with a wingspan of 16 centimeters. The winged insect received its name in honor of the ancient king Lydia Creus. Lepidoptera representatives have a bright orange and yellow color, against which a black pattern appears. The discoverer of the species is the naturalist Alfred Wallace. An ornithoptera creme inhabits Indonesia on the island of Bachan. Currently, the butterfly is under threat of extinction.
6
Trojnoptera Trojan Wing span 19 cm
Trogonopter Trojan or Trojan takes the sixth place in the ranking of the largest butterflies in the world. The maximum wingspan of the largest representatives is 19 centimeters. Female and male are about the same size. On the velvety black background of the wings, the pattern is in the form of triangles of bright green color. The species inhabits exclusively on the island of Palawan and is endangered. These Lepidoptera are also bred on special farms for collection needs.
5
Sailboat antimah Wing span 25 cm
Sailboat antimah is the largest butterfly that inhabits the territory of Africa. The wingspan of the largest representatives is 25 centimeters. Female is much smaller than males. Its name was given to the insect in honor of the mythological hero Antimaha. The species was first discovered in the mid-18th century by the British biologist Smithman. Then the male was caught. Female antimaha were able to catch only in the late 19th century. Lepidoptera have a color of wings, ranging from yellow to red. The population of this species is not numerous and is under protection.
4
Peacock-eye atlas Wingspan 24 cm
Peacock-eye atlas takes the fourth place among the largest butterflies with a wingspan of 24 centimeters. The largest specimen was caught in 1992 and is now kept in the Australian Museum. Another name for the insect is the Prince of Darkness because of his night life and bright color. Variegated wings abound with brown, cream, yellow and red patterns. The Atlas not only brings aesthetic pleasure, but also material benefit to man: he allocates silk, which surpasses in quality silk silkworm. Lepidoptera live on the territory of China, Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Vietnam. You can admire bright and large specimens on the territory of Russia in the Moscow Zoo. The prince of darkness has a short life, which is about two weeks. During this period, adults do not feed, but exist at the expense of substances accumulated in the stage of the caterpillar.
3
Queen Alexandra Bird Patch Wingspan 27 cm
Queen Alexandra Bird Patch reveals the three largest butterflies in the world. Female dominate in size over males. The largest individuals reach a wingspan of 27 centimeters. The caterpillars are also quite large and can reach 12 cm. The largest captured specimen of the female, whose wingspan is 273 mm, is now kept in the museum of London. Males, unlike females, have a very bright, juicy color and are considered the most beautiful of the Lepidoptera group. This is one of the rarest species, which is very much appreciated by collectors. But in view of the small number of trapping birds, ears are prohibited. The habitat of the winged insect is Papua New Guinea.
2
Peacock-eye-Hercules Wingspan 27 cm
Peacock-eye-Hercules takes the second place among the largest butterflies in the world. Female larger than males and have a wingspan of up to 27 centimeters, and area - up to 263, 2 square.see The male is different from the female spurs, which can reach a length of 12 cm. Impressive dimensions are also their caterpillars, growing to a length of up to 16 centimeters. Peacock eye is not only very large, but also one of the most beautiful butterflies in the world with a bright color, like a peacock. You can meet such beauty in Australia and New Guinea. The winged insect feeds at night. The source of her food is the leaves of many plants. This species can also divorce and live in captivity.
1
South American tropical scoop Wingspan 31 cm
The South American tropical scoop is the largest butterfly in the world, which is easily confused with a small bird from a distance. The swing of its huge wings can reach up to 31 centimeters. It was this size that caught the specimens in 1934, and then in 1997.Butterfly caterpillars are also quite large and have dimensions up to 16 cm in length. The winged insect has a pale coloring: on a white background stands a brown pattern. As a rule, a tropical hill leads a nocturnal life. Its habitat is Mexico, South and Central America. In food she uses leaves of bush cassia. This is a fairly rare and small species, which is still poorly understood.
