Butterflies are some of nature’s most beautiful creatures. Their delicate wings and bright colors catch our eye. But butterflies do more than look pretty. They help pollinate many plants, keeping our ecosystems healthy.
Some butterflies have always been hard to find. Certain species are in danger due to habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. This puts them at risk of disappearing forever.
In this article, we look at 24 of the rarest butterflies to find out what makes them special and why they matter. You might wonder, why these 24? Because they’re not just rare — they’re almost like myths, making them the true gems of the butterfly world.
Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing

The Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is the largest butterfly in the world, with a wingspan of up to 12 inches. But it’s also very rare. Why? It lives in a small part of Papua New Guinea, and its rainforest home is being destroyed by deforestation.
Today, there are only a few thousand left. For the past million years, its population has been 50,000 to 250,000. To protect the butterfly, nature conservationists are working with local communities. They seclude protected areas where no one can cut down trees or farm.
Palos Verdes Blue

The Palos Verdes Blue lives in just a tiny area of California. At one point, it was even believed to be extinct. Now, with only a few hundred left, it’s one of the rarest butterflies in the world.
Its survival depends on very specific plants, and the shrinking habitat puts it at constant risk. Conservationists are racing against time to save the few that remain. How? By planting native plants, it needs to eat and lay eggs.
Luzon Peacock Swallowtail

The Luzon Peacock Swallowtail is only found on Luzon Island in the Philippines. It has 4-inch wings, black with shiny blue and green spots resembling peacock feathers. This butterfly has two subspecies: P. c. chikae from Luzon and P. c. hermeli from Mindoro.
This butterfly’s rarity is due to habitat loss and illegal collection. To protect it, ecologists are creating no-logging zones. In these areas, no one can cut down trees or change the land. Education campaigns teach locals and collectors why it’s important to save this butterfly.
Bhutan Glory

The Bhutan Glory is a rare beauty known for its unique color patterns. It lives in Bhutan, parts of northeastern India, and Southeast Asia, where its bright colors stand out. It has a wingspan of about 3 to 4 inches.
Environmental advocates team up with local governments to protect these areas. They plant trees to help the Bhutan Glory butterfly survive. Additionally, local communities help by watching over the butterflies and their habitats.
The Miami Blue Butterfly

The Miami blue butterfly lives in the coastal areas of southern Florida. It is a type of Thomas’s blue butterfly and is very beautiful. It is small, with forewings that are only 0.5 inches long.
Both males and females have bright blue backs and gray undersides. Males have thin black edges on their wings. Females have wide black edges and an orange spot near the outer edge of their hindwings. Sadly, it is now one of Florida’s most endangered insects, with fewer than 100 left in the wild.
Kaiser-i-Hind

You can find Kaiser-i-Hind in the forests of the eastern Himalayas in India. Its name means “Emperor of India.” It has striking green wings with black edges and long tails on its hindwings. These butterflies have a slow, graceful flight, making them an elegant sight.
The Kaiser-i-Hind lives in high mountain forests. Because of deforestation and habitat loss, its survival is threatened. Environmentalists are planting more trees, creating protected areas, and working with locals to stop deforestation. These efforts help keep the butterfly’s home safe.
Jamaican Giant Swallowtail

The Jamaican Giant Swallowtail has bold black wings, and bright yellow bands create a striking pattern. Its wingspan is up to 6 inches, making it one of the biggest butterflies in the world. The Homerus swallowtail is endangered and has a grim outlook. Only two small groups of these butterflies survive in a tiny part of their former habitat.
This rare butterfly is only found in Jamaica and is hard to spot in the wild. Deforestation and habitat destruction have affected its population. Eco-activists are restoring damaged forest areas and setting up protected zones.
Richmond Birdwing

The Richmond Birdwing is the biggest subtropical butterfly in Australia, but it’s tough to find. It lives only in a small area of northern New South Wales and South East Queensland. Sadly, its numbers have dropped since the 1920s because its rainforest home has been destroyed and broken into smaller pieces.
Today, it’s considered a threatened species in Queensland, meaning it’s in danger of disappearing if we don’t act to protect its habitat. Activists are helping to ensure this species doesn’t become extinct.
Sinai Baton Blue

The Sinai Baton Blue is one of the world’s smallest butterflies. It has a wingspan of just 0.5 inches. You can find this tiny butterfly in the harsh environment of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
It’s one of the rarest butterflies in the world, with fewer than 100 individuals left. This butterfly is rare because its habitat — rocky desert areas with specific plants — is disappearing due to human activity. The survival of the Sinai Baton Blue depends on a specific plant called wild thyme. This makes it highly vulnerable to changes in its environment.
Blue Morpho

The Blue Morpho butterfly is one of the most stunning butterflies in the world. Its bright blue wings can grow up to 6 inches across, making it hard to miss. Morpho’s genus contains 29 species and 147 subspecies of butterflies native primarily to South America.
This large butterfly lives in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. With its wings closed, the brown underside hides it from predators. But, when opened, the blue shines brightly.
Madagascan Moon Moth

Also called the Madagascan Moon Moth, this giant silk moth lives in Madagascar’s rainforests. Sadly, its numbers are dropping because of deforestation and habitat loss. The caterpillars eat a lot for about two months before becoming moths.
It takes 70–85 days from egg to adult, depending on the weather. They use their bright wings to attract mates. Adult moths live for only about 12 days. They can’t eat, so their only job is to mate and lay eggs before they die, usually within five days.
Florida Leafwing

The Florida Leafwing is a butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.75 to 3 inches. It is native to southern Florida, particularly in the Everglades.
The leafwing derives its name from its unique wings. Why? Because it resembles a dead leaf when closed, providing excellent camouflage. The upper side of its wings is a bright orange, making it easy to spot when in flight. There are no known subspecies.
Silvery Blue

The silvery blue Glaucopsyche Lygdamus is a small butterfly found in North America. It has light and silvery-blue wings and a wingspan of about 1 inch.
This butterfly belongs to the family Lycaenidae. It has different types, or subspecies, across its range. It usually lives in open areas like meadows and grasslands, where it feeds on flower nectar.
Atala Butterfly

The Atala butterfly is a species found in southeastern Florida and the Caribbean. It wings span about 1.5 to 2 inches. Its wings are velvety black with iridescent blue spots, and the body is a vivid red-orange. The Atala was once considered rare but has made a comeback. This is due to its unique relationship with the coontie plant, which serves as its host.
The Atala butterfly depends on the coontie plant. It lays its eggs on it and feeds its caterpillars with it. When coontie plants were overharvested, the butterfly became rare. But, as people replanted coontie, the Atala made a comeback.
Apollo Butterfly

The Apollo Butterfly lives in the mountains of Europe. It has a wingspan of about 2 to 3 inches. Its wings are white with black and red spots. The Apollo butterfly, or Parnassius apollo,is among the most endangered butterflies in Europe, with its population dropping by 20–50% over the last 25 years.
Its habitat is rocky, alpine meadows where it flies around flowers. With its striking looks, the Apollo Butterfly is one of the most admired butterflies in the world.
Jamaican Owl Butterfly

The Jamaican Owl Butterfly is a unique and fascinating species. It has large, eye-like spots on its wings which resemble an owl’s eyes. This genus includes around twenty species, which can be grouped into six categories that could be considered subgenera.
With a wingspan of about 5 to 6 inches, this butterfly is native to the forests of Jamaica. Its striking appearance serves as a natural defense against predators. It tricks them into thinking they are facing a much larger creature.
Purple Emperor

The Purple Emperor is a beautiful butterfly found in European and Asian forests. Its wingspan is 2.5 to 4 inches wide. The butterfly’s wings shine with deep purple and blue colors in the sunlight.
This butterfly is notable for its regal appearance and elusive behavior. Males are especially striking, showing off their vibrant colors to attract mates.
Large Blue Butterfly

The Large Blue butterfly is popular for its stunning blue wings. It has a wingspan of about 1-2 inches and lives in Europe. It has a unique life cycle that depends on specific ants to survive.
Without these ants and the right conditions, the butterfly can’t thrive, making it one of the rarest species. Today, only a few hundred can be found in carefully managed areas, reminding us just how fragile nature can be. This butterfly’s bright colors and delicate patterns make it stand out.
Schaus Swallowtail

The Schaus’ Swallowtail is a striking butterfly found in the Florida Keys. It has a wingspan of about 2.3 inches and displays bold black and yellow patterns. The current population is estimated to be between 800 and 1200.
This butterfly has vibrant colors and is easily recognizable. It’s a special species that makes the Florida Keys even more unique and beautiful.
Baronia Brevicornis

Baronia brevicornis, also known as the Baronia Butterfly, has a wingspan of about 3 inches. You can find it in the rainforests of the Philippines. It also has beautiful eye-catching patterns. The baronia has an average population of about 2400 according to Research Gate.
This butterfly is unique because of its vibrant colors and large, striking wings. It belongs to a rare group of butterflies called the Baroniidae family.
Malay Lacewing

The Malay Lacewing is a stunning butterfly found in Malaysia and parts of Southeast Asia. It has a wingspan of about 2.6 to 3.3 inches and has delicate, lacy patterns and bright colors.
The Malay Lacewing’s wings are green with intricate designs. This makes it look like a piece of artwork. Its beautiful appearance makes it one of the most admired butterflies in its region.
Orange Oakleaf

The Orange Oakleaf is a butterfly with a wingspan of about 4 inches. You can find it in parts of Asia, including India and Malaysia. Its wings are orange with leaf-like patterns that help it blend into its surroundings.
When it closes its wings, the orange oakleaf looks like a dry leaf, which helps it hide from predators. This clever camouflage is one of the most interesting features of the Orange Oakleaf.
Banded Peacock

The Banded Peacock is a stunning butterfly with a wingspan of about 2-2.75 inches. You can find it in parts of India and Southeast Asia. Its bright green and blue wings, decorated with black bands and eye spots, make it very striking.
This butterfly’s colorful pattern helps it stand out in the dense forests where it lives. Its beauty and vibrant colors make it a favorite among butterfly enthusiasts.
Green Hairstreak

The Green Hairstreak is a small butterfly found in Europe and Asia. Its wingspan is about 1 to 1.3 inches, and its bright green color makes it easy to spot.
There are several subspecies of this butterfly, each with slightly different shades of green. Its tiny size and vivid color make it a beautiful sight among plants and flowers. The Green Hairstreak flits about in sunny areas, adding a splash of color to the topography.