12 Poisonous Butterflies (A to Z List with Pictures) – Fauna Facts (2024)

Examples of poisonous butterflies include African giant swallowtails, Atala butterfly, birdwing butterflies, common Indian crow, and longwing butterflies.

Butterflies are a beautiful part of nature and most people think of them as being harmless. However, there are a number of poisonous butterflies that can be harmful to humans and animals alike.

In this post, we will explore some of the most toxic butterfly species in the world. by learning about these creatures, you can be more aware when outdoors and take care not to approach them if you see one.

While the majority of butterflies are safe to enjoy from a distance, it’s important to be aware of the potential danger some species pose. With their bright colors and graceful movements, it’s easy to forget that some butterflies can actually be quite dangerous.

Examples of Poisonous Butterflies

1. African Giant Swallowtails

African Giant Swallowtails: These massive butterflies can have a wingspan of up to 12 inches. They are found in Africa and parts of Asia. The African giant swallowtail is one of the most toxic butterflies in the world. The butterfly’s bright colors are a warning to predators that they are poisonous.

The poison found in these butterflies is powerful enough to kill small birds and mammals. Humans are not immune to the effects of the poison either. If you come in contact with one of these butterflies, you may experience nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. In severe cases, the poison can cause paralysis and even death.

2. Atala Butterfly

The Atala butterfly is found in southern Florida and is one of the most toxic butterflies in the world. This species gets its toxicity from the plants it eats as a caterpillar, including the coontie plant. The toxins remain in the butterfly’s body even after it has transformed, making it dangerous to both humans and animals.

If you come into contact with an Atala butterfly, you may experience skin irritation, swelling, and blistering. In severe cases, the toxins can cause neurological problems and even death.

3. Birdwing Butterflies

The Birdwing butterflies are some of the largest in the world, with a wingspan that can reach up to 12 inches. These beautiful creatures are found in the tropical forests of Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. While their size and appearance may be intimidating, they are actually quite harmless to humans.

What makes them dangerous however is their caterpillars. The caterpillars of the Birdwing butterfly are coated in a toxic substance that can cause irritation and swelling if it comes into contact with human skin. If ingested, this toxin can be deadly.

While the Birdwing butterfly itself is not poisonous, its caterpillar is one of the most toxic creatures in the world.

4. Common Indian Crow

The Common Indian Crow is a species of poisonous butterfly that is found in tropical regions of India. This butterfly has a black and white striped pattern on its wings, and it is known to be one of the most toxic butterflies in the world.

The Common Indian Crow produces a poison that can be harmful to humans and animals if ingested.

5. Longwing Butterflies

Also called Heliconius, these butterflies are found in Central and South America. They are some of the most brightly colored creatures in the world, with red, orange, and yellow wing patterns. The wingspan of a Longwing can range from 3-4 inches.

What makes these butterflies so dangerous is their toxic caterpillars. These caterpillars feed on poisonous plants, and as a result, they too become poisonous. If ingested, the caterpillars can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even paralysis in humans. In severe cases, they can be fatal.

6. Monarch

The Monarch butterfly is one of the most easily recognizable butterflies in the world. It is also one of the most toxic. The Monarch gets its toxicity from the milkweed plant, which it feeds on as a caterpillar. This plant contains a number of toxins that make the Monarch poisonous to predators.

While the Monarch’s poison is not deadly to humans, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps if ingested. The poison can also be harmful to pets and other animals, so it’s best to keep them away from Monarchs if possible.

7. Papilio Antimachus

The next species of poisonous butterflies on our list is the Papilio antimachus, also known as the death’s-head hawk moth. This butterfly gets its name from the skull-like markings on its back, which are said to resemble a human skeleton.

This moth is found in tropical Africa and parts of Asia, and is considered to be one of the most toxic butterflies in the world. The death’s-head hawk moth is a large species, with a wingspan of up to 4 inches (10 cm).

The larvae of this butterfly are known to feed on poisonous plants, such as the stinging nettle. As a result, the toxins from these plants are passed on to the adult moth, making it one of the most poisonous butterflies in the world.

8. Pipevine Swallowtail

The pipevine swallowtail is a large and striking butterfly that is found in North America. The male of the species is black with blue markings, while the female is brown with white spots. Both sexes have a wingspan of 3-4 inches (7.6-10 cm).

The pipevine swallowtail gets its name from the fact that the larvae feed on pipevines, which are poisonous plants. The toxins from the pipevine are stored in the butterfly’s body and make it unpalatable to predators.

While the pipevine swallowtail is not aggressive and will not attack humans, its body contains enough toxins to be harmful if ingested.

9. Queen Butterfly

The Queen butterfly, which is found in North America, is one of the most toxic butterflies in the world. This species has a wingspan of up to 4 inches and is easily recognized by its orange and black stripes.

The Queen butterfly feeds on milkweed, which contains a poisonous substance called cardenolides. These toxins can be harmful to humans if ingested, and can even be fatal in large doses.

10. Red Lacewing

The red lacewing is a beautiful butterfly found in Central and South America. It is named for its striking red wings, which have black spots on them. While the red lacewing may look harmless, it is actually one of the most toxic butterflies in the world.

The red lacewing gets its toxins from the plants it eats as a caterpillar. These toxins make the butterfly poisonous to predators, including humans. If a person is unfortunate enough to touch or eat a red lacewing, they may experience burning and swelling of the skin, as well as nausea and vomiting.

11. The Postman

The Postman is a type of toxic butterfly found in South America. It gets its name from the fact that it often rests on postal trucks and letters, which can be mistaken for a harmless moth.

The Postman butterfly is found in tropical regions of South America, including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

This species is attracted to areas with a lot of human activity, which is why it’s often seen near postal trucks and homes. The Postman butterfly is considered to be a pest in some areas because it can be dangerous to humans and animals.

12. Zebra Longwing

The Zebra Longwing is a species of butterfly that is found in the southeastern United States. This butterfly has a wingspan of 2.8-3.5 inches and is black with white stripes on its wings.

The Zebra Longwing is considered to be one of the most toxic butterflies in the world. The reason for this is because its diet consists of poisonous plants, such as the passionflower vine. These toxins build up in the butterfly’s body and can be deadly to humans if ingested.

Conclusion

While butterflies are often thought of as gentle and beautiful creatures, some species can be quite dangerous. These toxic butterflies should be avoided if possible, as their poison can cause serious health problems in humans and animals. If you come into contact with one of these butterflies, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.