60 of the Most Beautiful Butterfly Pictures

Darkdiamond67 / Getty Images
Butterflies are the peacocks of the insect world. From vivid blues and intense greens to bright yellows and oranges, they come in a wide variety of colors and combinations.
We all know the recognizable orange and black of the monarch butterfly, but what about the unique transparent look of the glasswing? Here are 60 beautiful butterfly pictures as well as facts about some of the world’s coolest insects.
Blue Morpho

The blue morpho is a butterfly found in South America. Its stunning wings are a bright, iridescent blue, tipped in black with white spots. The shiny color is the result of microscopic scales on the wings.
The underside of the wings provides camo when closed, so they are a dull brown with eyespots. They are also one of the largest butterflies, with a wingspan of 5 to 8 inches.
A Closer Look

Monarch

Probably the most recognized butterfly in North America, the monarch is easy to spot with its orange, black and white wings. They have poisonous chemicals in their bodies, and the orange color is a warning to predators.
Monarchs are found in the Eastern Hemisphere.