Endangered Species of Butterflies
Published by There are between 15,000 and 20,000 species of butterflies worldwide. And some of these species are now endangered because the delicate balance of nature is destroyed – as it has been in so many natural places – the butterfly is almost always one of the first to disappear.
A butterfly is an insect of the order of Lepidoptera. Like all Lepidoptera, butterflies are notable for their unusual life circle with a larval caterpillaran inactive pupal stage, and a spectacular metamorphosis into a familiar and colorful winged adult form. Most species of butterflies are day-flying so they regularly attract attention. Butterflies comprise the true butterflies (super family Papilionoidea), the skippers (super family Hesperiodea) and the moth-butterflies (super family Hedylidea). Below are some endangered species of butterfly.
A Morpho butterfly may be one of over 80 species of the genus Morpho. They are found mostly in Mexico, South America and Central America. Their wingspan ranges from 7.5 cm (3 inch) to 20 cm (8 inch). Many Morpho butterflies are colored in metallic, shimmering shades of blue and green.
The Emerald Swallowtail (Papilio palinurus) is a butterfly found primarily in South East Asia and is one of the very few green butterflies around. It is also referred to as Emerald Peacock or Green-banded Peacock Swallowtail. Several subspecies are found in Burma, Indonesia, Borneo and the Philippines.
The giant owl butterfly falls under the genus Caligo and are commonly called Owl butterflies, after their huge eyespots, which resemble owls’ eyes. There are about 20 species in the genus, found in the rain forests of Mexico, central and South America.
Owl butterflies are very large,whose wingspan can reach more than 8in and fly only a few meters at a time. Therefore, avian predators have little difficulty in following them to their settling place. However, the butterflies preferentially fly around dusk, when few avian predators are around.
Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis ) have a wingspan of about an inch where male and female are different in appearance. The topside of the male is silvery or dark blue with narrow black margins. The female is grayish brown, especially on the outer portions of the wings , to blue on the topside, with irregular bands of orange crescents inside the narrow black border. The underside of both sexes is gray with a continuous band of orange crescents along the edges of both wings and with scattered black spots circled with white. 
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On February 27, 2009 at 5:33 am
Beautiful butterflies.
On February 27, 2009 at 5:46 am
What an interesting article,enjoyed reading this and the pictures are beautiful.
On February 27, 2009 at 5:50 am
Butterflies are my favorite creatures! I love this article and the photos, everything. I am more informed, thank you.
On February 27, 2009 at 5:52 am
The word “endangered” always makes me sad. Lovely butterflies, lovely article.
On February 27, 2009 at 6:01 am
what a trip
On February 27, 2009 at 6:16 am
They are stunning. It would be such a shame to lose them. A brilliant article.
Christine
On February 27, 2009 at 6:17 am
Excellent article and very informative! Wonderful photos!
On February 27, 2009 at 6:46 am
Very pretty little things. too bad its already endangered.
On February 27, 2009 at 6:55 am
You have an deep knowledge about butterflies, nice article and very informative also
On February 27, 2009 at 7:06 am
Nice one.
On February 27, 2009 at 7:33 am
Indeed, this content is brilliant… I love butterflies… Someday, I’ll include them as well on my writing! Great job! Kabayan…
On February 27, 2009 at 8:00 am
that emerald swallowtails a pretty looking butterbug…
On February 27, 2009 at 9:11 am
They are so pretty
On February 27, 2009 at 9:15 am
A great article with even more beautiful pictures,was a pleasure to read.Its a shame the awful word endangered had to be used with Gods beautiful handiwork.
On February 27, 2009 at 9:24 am
These butterflies are all so beautiful. Their unique colors and shapes make them lovable, and I am sorry to hear that they are endangered.
On February 27, 2009 at 9:27 am
My word such beautiful Butterflies, lovely article.
On February 27, 2009 at 11:30 am
I love these beautiful creatures. Great work, papaleng.
On February 27, 2009 at 11:38 am
awesome article with lovely pic’s.
On February 27, 2009 at 12:27 pm
my gosh! their stunningly beautiful…
On February 27, 2009 at 12:49 pm
If these butterflies would perish the world would lose some beauty.
On February 27, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Excellent article, thank you. The photos are stunning.
On February 27, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Beautifully done piece.
On February 27, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Truly some beautiful species of butterfly. I did not know that the Blue Morpho was endangered. Learned something knew!
On February 27, 2009 at 2:00 pm
What A Wonderful Write, Very Interesting! As Well As Many Beautiful Pictures Of These Birds, Great Article
On February 27, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Butterflies are the most amazing and beautiful creatures.
On February 27, 2009 at 2:01 pm
wonderful article, papaleng! you are not only a sweet lover but a nature lover as well!
On February 27, 2009 at 4:39 pm
You are very resourceful! Always looking out for the best things to offer! Nice pics!
On February 27, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Gorgeous! Some of their colours are just stunning. Great job on the research, Papaleng!
On February 27, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Wonderful article, beautiful pics! This was educational and enjoyable to read. Nicely done!
On February 27, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Wow butterflies!
On February 27, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Beautiful butterflies.
On February 27, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Papaleng, thank you for this wonderful article. I find butterflies beautiful and captivating. It would be difficult to pick a favorite but I would have to say the Emerald Swallowtail is very interesting. How sad that so many face extinction. You have shared some of their beauty in such a lovely format here.
On February 27, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Good information and nice pictures.
On February 27, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Beautiful pics Papaleng
On February 27, 2009 at 10:10 pm
they are definitely beautiful, and great piece of information too.
Monica
On February 27, 2009 at 11:46 pm
I LOVE butterflies!
On February 28, 2009 at 1:13 am
Gorgeous butterfly!
On February 28, 2009 at 2:11 am
Very pretty and very interesting.
On February 28, 2009 at 2:11 am
I love butterflies!! Very interesting article and great picture! Well Done!
On February 28, 2009 at 4:53 am
Wow..beautiful..
Thank you for sharing.
On February 28, 2009 at 8:23 am
very good and informative article. we should really love nature! nice work!
On February 28, 2009 at 9:49 am
Beautiful butterflies. Excellent informative piece. I loved the pics.
On February 28, 2009 at 12:00 pm
What a tragic loss that would be. Very good work.
On February 28, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I loved the photos and the info. Butterflies represent so much to me…endangered makes me ache.
On February 28, 2009 at 7:52 pm
These are incredible!
On February 28, 2009 at 9:00 pm
And to think that I was terrified of butterflies when I was a kid. Don’t worry. I’ve grown out of it. The pictures here are great.
On March 1, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Oh, i love butterflies, and these species are all exquisitely beautiful.Nice photos.
On March 3, 2009 at 5:38 am
nice pictures of butterflies! i really enjoyed ur article!
On March 4, 2009 at 3:55 am
Excellent…i have been really trusting home remedies…
On March 4, 2009 at 9:59 am
I enjoyed it. Great work and well done!
On March 5, 2009 at 7:38 am
Absolutely stunning photos, and a very informative article! Well done!
On March 11, 2009 at 1:25 am
The article was great and just chopped full of info. But, I must say your choice of photos overpowered the words. I was so mesmerized that I couldnt take my eyes off them. I think this is the best choice of pics of any article that I have read. If this isnt hot content….it should be!
On May 16, 2009 at 10:38 am
Beautiful Butterflies. I see the love of God in every creature He created.
On July 18, 2009 at 11:49 am
Hi!
I am advocating the protection of endangered species in my upcoming website. Your pictures are stunning. Can I download and upload some of them?
Thanks.
On October 30, 2009 at 5:11 pm
ewoooo THATS UGLEEEYY //////??????
FOR REALL DOGG
On October 30, 2009 at 6:00 pm
wow that sux loserz
On December 30, 2009 at 11:59 pm
BEAUTIFUL….. Pictures and article! Well done although I’m uncertain if the morpho butterfly and emerald butterfly are endangered. I believe that they are threatened rather than endangered if I stand corrected. Anyways awesome informationa and photographs.
On January 14, 2010 at 7:43 pm
only so many people care about the earth…. polar bears are in more danger… they cant just fly away like butterflies.
i love all animal
On February 12, 2011 at 2:58 am
nice one papaleng..so colorful and lvoely
)
On April 27, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Great Post
thought you might like my machinima film the butterfly’s tale~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1fO8SxQs-E
Bright Blessings
elf ~
On August 10, 2011 at 1:59 am
super
On December 19, 2012 at 9:38 am
What about that great big Philippine moth/butterfly(?) ‘Mariposa de Vida’. What is its status? Is it still around?
On December 19, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Each one is beautiful and unique.