Science Learning Hub logo
TopicsConceptsCitizen scienceTeacher PLDGlossary
Sign in
Image

Camouflaged hind wing of a yellow admiral

Camouflaged hind wing of a yellow admiral on a leaf

The upper sides of native butterfly wings are often colourful, but the hind wings (underside) are dull and patterned so they are camouflaged when their wings are closed.

Glossary

Rights: Norm Twigge, Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust
Published: 16 May 2010Size: 187.37 KB
Referencing Hub media

Explore related content

Appears inRelated resources
Differences between butterflies and moths

Article

Differences between butterflies and moths

Butterflies and moths form the insect order Lepidoptera. The word ‘Lepidoptera’ comes from the Greek ‘lepis’ meaning scale and ‘petron’ ...

Read more
Our elusive native butterflies

Article

Our elusive native butterflies

What do kiwi, tuatara and many butterflies have in common in New Zealand? They are all native animals that the ...

Read more
Insects – physical characteristics

Article

Insects – physical characteristics

Insects can be large – like the 130 mm wingspan of the kapokapowai/bush giant dragonfly – or tiny – like ...

Read more
Our elusive native butterflies

Article

Our elusive native butterflies

What do kiwi, tuatara and many butterflies have in common in New Zealand? They are all native animals that the ...

Read more
New Zealand moths

Article

New Zealand moths

Moths, along with butterflies, are part of the order Lepidoptera (from the Greek for scaled wings). Over 90% of New ...

Read more
White butterflies

Article

White butterflies

Butterflies are appealing insects. We actively encourage them to visit our gardens, but white butterflies (Pieris rapae rapae) are an ...

Read more

See our newsletters here.

NewsEventsAboutContact usPrivacyCopyrightHelp

The Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao is funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Science in Society Initiative.

Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao © 2007-2026 The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato