Agrias butterflies Coloring Pages

The most beautiful in the world! Little jewels shining in seven colors

Agrias butterflies are a type of butterfly classified in the Riodinidae family. Even though their Japanese name includes both "shijimi" (gossamer-winged) and "tateha" (brush-footed), they are not brush-footed butterflies. Instead, they are classified in a group close to gossamer-winged butterflies. Because their wings are so beautiful, people count them as one of the most beautiful butterflies in the world. Sometimes, people even call them "living jewels."

＜English Name and Name Origin＞

The main kind of Agrias butterflies is known by its scientific name, "Ancyluris formosissima". In English, it is called by its scientific name, or sometimes it is called "Formosissima" because of its beautiful look.

• Formosissima means "very beautiful" in Latin.

The Japanese name Miiro (three colors) comes from the way the wing patterns shine in different colors like blue, green, purple, and red depending on the light, making them look like seven colors (a rainbow). The biggest feature of Agrias butterflies is that even though their bodies are small like a hairstreak butterfly, they have bright and complex patterns like a brush-footed butterfly.

Shining in Rainbow Colors

Agrias butterflies are quite small for brush-footed butterflies, and they are just a little bigger than Japanese gossamer-winged butterflies.

• When they spread their wings, they are about 4 to 5 centimeters long. That is about the size of a grown-up's thumb!
• The top of their wings has a shiny black or dark blue base. Bright colors like blue, green, and red run across them in stripe patterns.
• When light hits them, these patterns sparkle like a jewel. The colors even change as you look at them from different angles!

They fly very fast and zip around the forest, so Agrias butterflies are also known as butterflies that are quite hard to catch.

Where do they live?

Agrias butterflies live in an area called the Neotropics, mostly from Central America to South America.

• Main habitat: The tropical rainforests of South American countries like Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia.
• They live in only a few special places, especially the high-altitude tropical forests at the foot of the Andes Mountains.

They do not live in any prefectures or places in Japan. They are very rare butterflies that live in the far-away jungles of South America.

What do they eat?

• Adult Agrias butterflies mostly live by drinking flower nectar, but they are also well known to gather on damp ground in the forest or by the water's edge to drink water and minerals.
• Caterpillars grow by eating the leaves of specific plants that grow in the tropics.

How to choose colors: Let's create an iridescent look that changes as you move!

The coolest thing about Agrias butterflies is their beautiful rainbow-patterned wings. A great trick for your coloring page is to use a few different colors inside one pattern. This makes the colors look like they are shifting!

• Base color: For the main part of the wings, try using a deep black or a shiny dark blue.
• Rainbow patterns: Get ready with a few colors like light blue, dark blue, purple, and green for the patterns.
• Make it shine: Put light blue or bright green in the middle of the pattern or where light hits it. Then, color around it with dark blue or purple. This makes it look like it is sparkling with rainbow colors!

How to color the patterns: Use shading to make it pop!

When you color the patterns on Agrias butterflies, try using shading (changing colors bit by bit). It will make the wings look 3D!

• Shading basics: If you use colored pencils, start by coloring the whole pattern with a light color. Next, press a bit harder with a dark color over it. This makes the colors blend nicely together!
• Pattern edges: Color the edges of the color stripes with a deep black or dark blue. This makes the patterns look crisp and sharp.
• The little tails: Make the thin tail parts stand out with black. Mix in a little bit of a lighter color to make them look like they are fluttering in the air!

Tips to enjoy your coloring page!

• Express yourself freely!
  • You do not have to match the real colors! You can use any colors you like. Try using a bit of gold or silver colored pencil. It will make your art shine like a real jewel. Express yourself freely!
• Add a cool background!
  • Imagine the tropical forest where Agrias butterflies live. Draw big trees, jungle leaves, or damp ground to make your picture come to life!