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Neglected Eighty-Eight Butterfly
Photograph by Joel Sartore
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.
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Birdwing Butterfly
Photograph by Nicole Duplaix
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).
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Kamehameha Butterfly
Photograph by Chris Johns
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.
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Pipevine Swallowtail
Photograph by Darlyne A. Murawski
The pipevine swallowtail butterfly (Battus philenor) has white-and-orange dots on the underside of its hind wing.
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Male Blue Morpho Butterfly
Photograph by Cary Wolinsky
A male blue morpho butterfly’s wings shine iridescently in this mounted specimen.
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Butterfly Close-Up
Photograph by Darlyne A. Murawski
A close-up of the wing of an unidentified butterfly found near Tully, Australia, evokes a rich tapestry.
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Peacock Pansy Butterfly
Photograph by Tim Laman
The peacock pansy butterfly (Junionia almana) sports striking eyespots and purple patterns.
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Zebra-Winged Butterfly
Photograph by Joel Sartore
The petals of a white flower set off the white stripes of this zebra-winged butterfly at a children’s zoo in Lincoln, Nebraska.
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Blue Morpho Butterfly
Photograph by Tim Laman
A decorated blue morpho butterfly (Morpho sp.) rests on a leaf. The blue morpho's entire life cycle lasts just 115 days.
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Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly
Photograph by Darlyne A. Murawski
Colorful gerbera daisies highlight the rich coloration of a spicebush swallowtail butterfly (Papilio troilus).
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