Butterflies and moths
Lepidoptera
Butterflies and moths belong to the large insect order Lepidoptera, making up about 10% of species of all life on Earth. Butterflies are especially well-loved and moths often disliked, but both are important pollinators and vital members of their ecosystems.
Browse a selection of butterfly, moth and caterpillar images below and contact me for image licensing enquiries.
Image: Viceroy Butterfly (Limenitis archippus). Mississauga, Canada.
Monarch Butterfly caterpillar (Danaus plexippus). Toronto, Canada.
The Ulysses Butterfly (Papilio ulysses) is an iconic tropical species protected by the Australian government. Atherton Tablelands, Australia.
Orchard Swallowtail (Papilio aegeus). Lake Tinaroo, Australia.
Dainty Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio anactus) defensively displaying its forked osmeterium. Melbourne, Australia.
Female Cape York Birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus macalpinei). Kutini-Payamu National Park, Australia.
Autumn Leaf caterpillar (Doleschallia bisaltide). Cairns, Australia.
Caper White Butterfly (Belenois java). Brisbane, Australia.
Zodic moth (Alcides metaurus) wing scales. Babinda, Australia.
Zodic moth (Alcides metaurus) at the end of its life. Babinda, Australia.
Zodic moths (Alcides metaurus) courting. Kutini-Payamu National Park, Australia.
Zodiac moths (Alcides metaurus) courting. Kutini-Payamu National Park, Australia.
Hercules moth female (Coscinocera hercules). Kutini-Payamu National Park, Australia.
Bean Leafroller (Omiodes diemenalis) on a Hercules Moth (Coscinocera hercules). Kutini-Payamu National Park, Australia.
Cup moth caterpillars (Limacodidae). Kutini-Payamu National Park, Australia.
Lobster Moth caterpillar (Neostauropus viridissimus). Kuranda, Australia.
Fruit-piercing Moth (Eudocima aurantia). Kuranda, Australia.
Fruit-piercing Moth (Eudocima sp.). Kakadu National Park, Australia.
Ghost moths (Aenetus simonseni) mating. Darwin, Australia.
Ghost moths (Aenetus simonseni) mating. View of the male. Darwin, Australia.
Long-tailed Bombyx caterpillar (Trichiocercus sp.). Litchfield National Park, Australia.
Tiger Moth (Oenistis altica). Kuranda, Australia.
Four O'clock Moth (Dysphania sp.) preparing to pupate with a Fireback Huntsman (Beregama cordata) sitting on its back. Kuranda, Australia.
Nolid Moth caterpillar (Chora sp.) with a balloon head. Kutini-Payamu National Park, Australia.
Green Ant Mimicking moth caterpillar (Homodes bracteigutta). Little Crystal Creek, Australia.
Imperial Fruit-sucking Moth (Phyllodes imperialis), also known as the Pink Underwing moth. Cairns, Australia.
Lichen moth caterpillar (Enispa sp.). Cairns, Australia.
Caged moth pupa (Cyana sp.). Kuranda, Australia.