The green dragontail butterfly (Lamproptera meges) of South and Southeast Asia is a mesmerizing insect.
Small and delicate, it is one of the few species of swallowtail butterfly with transparent wings. With a life span of 7 to 12 days, Earth’s real-life fairies are truly nature’s flying jewel.
Credit to wildlife photographer Kazuo Unno for snatching these photos of the whirring creatures — like poetry in motion!
If you like the dragontail butterfly, be sure to check out the dead leaf butterfly as well. Also worth viewing: the beautiful Archduke butterfly in its baby caterpillar state.
