Butterflies use their colourful wings for communication, protection and survival.
Bright colours can help butterflies attract potential mates and recognise their own species.
Some colourful butterflies use bright patterns to warn predators that they may taste bad or be toxic.
Not all colours are bright. Wing patterns can also help butterflies blend into leaves, flowers and tree bark.
Butterfly wings are covered with thousands of tiny scales. Their pigments and microscopic structures create different colours.