The Bhutan Glory butterfly is found in the mountainous areas
of central Asia, at altitudes of up to 3000 metres. Its preferred habitats are
meadows and forests.
The wings of the Bhutan Glory measure 9-11 centimetres
across. They have dark front wings but bright orange on their back wings, which
are normally hidden by the front wings. If threatened they will rapidly open
and close their wings to reveal the bright patches, in the hope of scaring any
predator away.
Their other main defence mechanism is to feed on poisonous
plants, such as the Indian birthwort plant, and absorb the poison into their
bodies.
The Bhutan Glory is a protected species due to its great
rarity.
© John Welford
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