12 Most Poisonous Butterflies In The World
Who does not like a colorful and cute-looking butterfly? They are so beautiful that as soon as you see them, you just want to keep looking at them. But if you are asked whether you have heard about any such butterfly that is extremely poisonous or have seen such a butterfly that can sometimes prove to be quite fatal for the life of humans as well as animals.
If you do not know about any such butterfly, read this article until the end. Here we are going to introduce you to the 12 most poisonous butterflies in the world, which are extremely poisonous and dangerous. And believe me, after knowing about them, you will also be forced to think whether such a butterfly also exists.
Key Points:
- Poisonous butterflies often exhibit bright and conspicuous colors, These colors serve as a warning to potential predators that they are toxic and unpalatable.
- Some non-venomous butterflies mimic the warning coloration of venomous butterflies to deter predators. This phenomenon is known as “Batesian mimicry”.
- Poisonous butterflies are capable of secreting (storing) toxic compounds from plants that make them distasteful or even harmful to predators.
- The toxic chemicals these butterflies take in from plants are stored in their bodies and used as a defense mechanism when they become adults.
List Of The Most Poisonous Butterflies
#1. Blue Tiger Butterfly
The Blue Tiger butterfly has the title of being the most poisonous butterfly in the world. Its caterpillars feed on poisonous plants, making them highly toxic. Bright colors on both the caterpillar and the adult warn predators of their toxicity.
The exotic blue tiger butterfly can be found mostly in South American tropical rainforests. Azure blue and jet black patterns on its wings combine to form its vivid colors. Potential predators are deterred by this alluring appearance.
During its larval stage, the poisonous blue tiger caterpillar feeds exclusively on plants containing toxic compounds, mainly from the genus Aristolochia. These chemicals then accumulate within its body, making both the caterpillar and the adult butterfly toxic to predators.
#2. Monarch Butterfly
The monarch butterfly is the second most poisonous butterfly in the world, seeing this at first sight you will be forced to think about how can colorful butterflies be dangerous and ultimately how can they harm any other living being.
The vibrant orange and black wings of the monarch butterfly act as a warning to potential predators. During its larval stage, the monarch caterpillar feeds voraciously on milkweed plants, which contain toxic compounds called cardenolides.
So the poison of these bright-colored butterflies is so deadly that if it goes inside a human’s stomach, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Now in such a situation, if you ever come across a very cute-looking monarch butterfly, then instead of touching them, it would be better for you to keep your distance from them.
#3. Giant African Swallowtail
The name of the second most poisonous butterfly in the world is the Giant African Swallowtail, which is also commonly known as “Papilio antimachus”. This butterfly is commonly found in parts of Africa and Asia. These butterflies with a wingspan of about 7.1-9.1 inches hold their identity as the largest butterfly in Africa.
Along with this, they are also counted as one of the largest butterflies in the world. African giant swallowtails are one of the most venomous butterflies in the world, with their bright coloration serving as a warning to predators that they are highly toxic. The poison found in these butterflies is so deadly that it is enough to kill small birds and small mammals.
Along with this, their poison is also very dangerous for humans. Because if a person comes in contact with them, then he has to face problems like nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, and sometimes this poison also becomes a cause of paralysis for a person, due to which a person can also die.
#4. Atala Butterfly
Now let’s talk about the Atala butterfly which is commonly found in southern Florida. Also, their population is seen in the Bahamas, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands. One of the most poisonous butterflies in the world, the Atala butterfly is also known as Eumaeus Atala and Coontie Hairstreak.
This species of butterfly derives its energy from the plants it feeds on as a caterpillar, and the common name of the coontie plant is mainly involved in these plants.
However, even when it transforms itself completely, poisonous substances are present in its body and this poison makes the Atala Butterfly very dangerous for both humans and animals. Sometimes this poison of the Atala butterfly can also cause death for humans.
#5. Longwing Butterfly
Even though the Longwing butterfly looks beautiful and mesmerizing to you, as beautiful as this butterfly is, it is equally poisonous. Although the good thing is that this butterfly cannot bite humans, because they do not have teeth.
But if a person swallows these butterflies even by mistake, then his condition can definitely worsen. Because the poison of Longwing Butterfly can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even paralysis of that person.
Commonly found in Central and South America, the Longwing Butterfly is also called Heliconius, which is one of the most brightly colored creatures in the world with red, orange, and yellow wing patterns and this bright color makes them very beautiful to look at.
#6. Common Indian Crow
Hearing this name, you must be thinking where did the crow come from in this list of butterflies? So let us tell you that it is not a crow but a butterfly which is known as Common Indian Crow. Along with this, this butterfly is considered one of the most poisonous butterfly species in the world.
A black and white striped pattern is present on the wings of these butterflies found in tropical areas of India, which makes them a bit attractive to see. But you will be completely surprised to know that these butterflies named Common Indian Crow produce such a poison, which if it goes inside the stomach of a human or animal, can prove to be extremely harmful for it.
#7. Birdwing Butterfly
The Birdwing butterfly is the largest of all butterfly species with a wingspan of about 9.8-11 inches. The birdwing butterfly is found in tropical forests of Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
Although the appearance and size of these butterflies can be intimidating, in reality, these butterflies are not at all poisonous to humans. In such a situation, what makes them dangerous is their caterpillar. Because the caterpillars of the Birdwing butterfly are very poisonous.
This is the reason that when they come in contact with a human being, they can cause irritation and swelling in the skin of that person and if they are swallowed by mistake, then the human life can also be lost. In such a situation, it would probably not be wrong to say that the Birdwing butterfly is quite as poisonous as a caterpillar. But when it transforms into a butterfly, it is not poisonous at all.
#8. Pipevine Swallowtail
The Pipevine Swallowtail found in North America is also commonly known as Battus philenor and Blue swallowtail. It is a very attractive butterfly of large size, whose wings are around 3 to 4 inches in size.
The Pipevine Swallowtail is so named because the larvae of these butterflies feed on poisonous plants like the pipevine. However, because of this, the poisonous substances of the pipevine plant accumulate in the bodies of these butterflies, and in this way, these butterflies turn into very poisonous butterflies.
In such a situation, their hunters have to think 10 times before making them their prey.
#9. Red Lacewing
The species of butterfly we are going to talk about. She belongs to a very beautiful butterfly species. Yes, we are talking about the Red lacewing butterfly which is found in Central America and South America. This name of these butterflies has been given because of their beautiful red wings, on which black spots are present.
Although, at first glance, these cute butterflies do not look dangerous at all. But you will be stunned to know that they are counted as one of the most poisonous butterflies in the world.
The red lacewing gets its poison from the plants it eats as a caterpillar, and its poison can prove to be very harmful to humans as well as animals.
#10. Queen Butterfly
Let us now introduce you to another very dangerous butterfly species known as Queen Butterfly. Commonly found in North and South America, the queen butterfly is one of the most poisonous butterflies in the world.
The wingspan of this species is about 03.1-03.3 inches and they can be easily identified due to the orange and black stripes present on their body.
The Queen Butterfly eats Milkweed with great gusto and let us tell you that a poisonous substance called glycoside is present inside Milkweed which can prove to be harmful to a human being.
#11. Postman Butterfly
The postman butterfly, commonly known as Heliconius melpomene, common postman, and simply postman, is a species of venomous butterfly found in South America as well as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
This species is mostly attracted to areas with a human population. This is the reason why the postman butterfly is considered an insect in some areas as it can prove dangerous to humans and animals.
#12. Zebra Longwing
At the end of the article, let us now talk about the zebra longwing butterfly, which is also related to a species of poison butterfly, and this butterfly is also known as “Heliconius charithonia and Zebra heliconian”.
Commonly found in the South Eastern United States, the wingspan of this butterfly is about 03-03.5 inches and its body color is completely black with white stripes on it.
The zebra longwing butterfly is considered one of the most venomous butterflies in the world. The biggest reason behind this is that these butterflies include poisonous plants like passion flowers in their diet, due to which they become very poisonous, and in such a situation, if the poison of these butterflies is injected into a human body it can prove to be quite fatal for him.
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FAQs:
What is the most poisonous butterfly?
The “South American Blue Tiger” (Mechanitis polymnia) holds the title of being one of the most poisonous butterflies. Its caterpillars feed on toxic plants, making them highly toxic. The bright colors on both caterpillar and adult warn predators of their toxicity.
Why are monarch butterflies poisonous?
Monarch butterflies are poisonous due to their consumption of milkweed plants during the larval stage. These plants contain toxic chemicals called cardenolides. As caterpillars eat milkweed, they sequester these toxins. When they metamorphose into butterflies, the toxins remain in their bodies.
How many poisonous butterflies are there?
There are numerous species of poisonous butterflies distributed globally. These butterflies have evolved toxic defenses, often obtained from their larval plant diet. Well-known examples include Monarch butterflies and Heliconius butterflies.
Can butterflies kill humans?
It’s not that butterflies can kill humans. While some species possess toxins to deter predators, the toxicity levels are generally not harmful to humans. Even species with mild toxins, like the Monarch butterfly, would not pose a lethal threat to humans.
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Read Also:
- Top 10 Rarest Butterflies in the World
- 12 Most Beautiful Insects That Can Be Your Friend
- Colorful Beetles: 10 Most Beautiful Beetles in the World
