Butterflies, Patterns in Nature

1. Neglected Eighty-Eight Butterfly
A neglected eighty-eight butterfly (Diaethria neglecta) in Brazil’s Pantanal displays the design of lines and dots that gave it its unusual common name.

2. Birdwing Butterfly
Australia’s largest butterfly, the birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus) blends into a green leaf. Female birdwings can have a wingspan of nearly 8 inches (20 centimeters).

3. Kamehameha Butterfly
The Kamehameha butterfly (Vanessa tameamea) is one of only two indigenous butterfly species in Hawaii. Above is a close-up of a Kamehameha wing from an Oahu museum.

4. Pipevine Swallowtail
The pipevine swallowtail butterfly (Battus philenor) has white-and-orange dots on the underside of its hind wing.

5. Male Blue Morpho Butterfly
A male blue morpho butterfly’s wings shine iridescently in this mounted specimen.

6. Butterfly Close-Up
A close-up of the wing of an unidentified butterfly found near Tully, Australia, evokes a rich tapestry.

7. Peacock Pansy Butterfly
The peacock pansy butterfly (Junionia almana) sports striking eyespots and purple patterns.

8. Zebra-Winged Butterfly
The petals of a white flower set off the white stripes of this zebra-winged butterfly at a children’s zoo in Lincoln, Nebraska.

9. Blue Morpho Butterfly
A decorated blue morpho butterfly (Morpho sp.) rests on a leaf. The blue morpho's entire life cycle lasts just 115 days.

10. Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly
Colorful gerbera daisies highlight the rich coloration of a spicebush swallowtail butterfly (Papilio troilus).