Butterflies
Guides
Adelpha
sisters
Adelpha is a genus of brush-footed butterflies distributed from the southern United States and Mexico through Central America to South America. The common name "sisters" refers to the white wing markings that resemble a nun's habit. The genus contains approximately 90 described species, many of which exhibit Batesian mimicry and are organized into distinct species groups based on morphological and phylogenetic relationships.
Anteos
Angled Sulphurs, angled-sulphurs
Anteos is a genus of butterflies in the family Pieridae, commonly known as angled-sulphurs. The genus contains three recognized species: Anteos clorinde (white angled sulphur), Anteos maerula (angled sulphur), and Anteos menippe (orange-tipped angled-sulphur). These butterflies are found in tropical regions of the Americas. Anteos menippe has been used in physiological research, including the first direct electrocardiographic characterization in Lepidoptera.
Apaturinae
emperors
Apaturinae is a subfamily of brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) comprising approximately 20 genera and roughly 100 species commonly called 'emperors.' Members are distinguished by a green proboscis, strikingly colored upperwings, and cryptic underwings. The subfamily exhibits a disjunct global distribution, with most genera occurring in South and East Asia and Africa, while the genera Doxocopa and Asterocampa are primarily Neotropical and Nearctic. Larvae of at least some species possess a unique defensive mechanism: oral emission of volatile halitosis (alcohols and aldehydes/ketones with 4–5 carbon chains) when disturbed by predators.
Argynnini
Fritillaries
Argynnini is a tribe of brush-footed butterflies in the subfamily Heliconiinae, commonly known as fritillaries. The group comprises roughly 100 species worldwide, with approximately 30 species in North America. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have substantially revised generic boundaries within the tribe, with several formerly recognized genera now synonymized under Argynnis and Boloria, while others such as Speyeria and Fabriciana have been reinstated as distinct. Members of this tribe are characterized by their often bright orange and black patterned wings and their ecological associations with specific larval host plants, primarily violets (Viola) and related species.
Biblidini
Biblidini is a tribe of brush-footed butterflies within the subfamily Biblidinae, commonly known as tropical brushfoots. The tribe contains numerous genera distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, with some representatives in the Old World tropics. Members of this tribe are characterized by reduced forelegs typical of the family Nymphalidae, and many species exhibit striking wing patterns with bold colors and distinctive markings.
Brephidium
pygmy blues
Brephidium is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as pygmy blues. The genus contains three species with a striking disjunct distribution: two species occur in the Americas (Brephidium exilis and Brephidium pseudofea), while the third (Brephidium metophis) is found in southern Africa. These are among the smallest butterflies in the world, with Brephidium exilis being the smallest butterfly in North America.
Calephelis
metalmarks, metalmark butterflies
Calephelis is a genus of metalmark butterflies in the family Riodinidae, comprising 54 species distributed across the Americas. Eleven species occur in the Nearctic region and 43 in the Neotropical realm. The genus includes both widespread and highly localized species, with some like C. borealis being globally rare and declining due to habitat loss.
Coliadinae
Yellows, Sulphurs, Yellows and Sulphurs
Coliadinae is a subfamily of Pieridae butterflies comprising approximately 300 described species, commonly known as yellows or sulphurs for their characteristic coloration. The subfamily is divided into two well-supported monophyletic groups: the Coliadini (clouded yellows, brimstones, and sulphurs) and the Euremini (grass yellows). Many species exhibit strong sexual dimorphism, with males often displaying ultraviolet-reflective wing patches absent in females. The group has a global distribution with particularly high diversity in tropical and subtropical regions.
Cupido
Tailed-Blues
Cupido is a genus of small butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as Tailed-Blues. The genus is confined to the Palearctic region and includes species characterized by short tail-like projections on the hindwings. Members of this genus are typically associated with grassland and open habitats, with larvae feeding on various leguminous plants. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with the subgenus Everes sometimes included within Cupido.
Curvie
Curvie is a genus of metalmark butterflies in the family Riodinidae. The genus includes at least one well-documented species, Curvie emesia (curve-winged metalmark), found in North America. The genus is part of the diverse Riodinidae family, commonly known as metalmarks due to the metallic spots often present on their wings.
Cyrestinae
Daggerwing and Map Butterflies
Cyrestinae is a small subfamily of brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) comprising three genera: Cyrestis, Chersonesia, and Marpesia. The subfamily was established after taxonomic revision split the former Cyrestini and Pseudergolini tribes, which were briefly combined before being recognized as separate subfamilies. Cyrestinae is now considered the sister group to the larger Nymphalinae subfamily. The group exhibits a disjunct tropical distribution, with Marpesia restricted to the Neotropics and Cyrestis and Chersonesia occurring primarily in the Oriental region with some Afrotropical representation.
Dynamine
Dynamine is a genus of nymphalid butterflies comprising approximately 38 described species distributed across South America. The genus was established by Hübner in 1819 and is classified within the subfamily Biblidinae. Species within this genus exhibit considerable diversity in wing pattern and coloration.
Ganyra
Ganyra is a genus of butterflies in the family Pieridae, distributed across the Neotropical region. The genus contains three recognized species: Ganyra howarthi, Ganyra josephina, and Ganyra phaloe. Members of this genus are part of the whites and sulfurs group, characterized by their generally pale wing coloration. The genus was established by Billberg in 1820.
Greta
Glasswing Butterflies
Greta is a genus of clearwing butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, established by Arthur Francis Hemming in 1934. These butterflies are characterized by their transparent or partially transparent wings, a trait shared with other members of the ithomiine group. The genus occurs in the Neotropical region, with species distributed across Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Notable species include Greta oto, commonly known as the glasswing butterfly, and Greta morgane, the thick-tipped greta.
Hesperiidae
Skippers
Hesperiidae, commonly known as skippers, is a large family of diurnal butterflies in the order Lepidoptera. The family contains over 3,500 recognized species distributed worldwide, with greatest diversity in tropical regions. Skippers are named for their rapid, darting flight patterns. A distinctive morphological feature is the antenna tip, which is modified into a narrow hook-like projection rather than the rounded club found in most other butterfly families. The family was formerly placed in its own superfamily Hesperioidea but is now classified within Papilionoidea based on recent molecular studies.
Itaballia
Itaballia is a genus of butterflies in the family Pieridae, comprising three described species distributed across Central and South America. The genus was established by Kaye in 1904. Species within this genus include the crossbarred white (I. demophile), I. marana, and the brown-bordered white (I. pandosia), the latter noted as a mimic of Pisonis.
Leptotes
Zebra Blues
Leptotes is a genus of small butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as zebra blues due to their distinctive zebra-striped undersides. The genus contains multiple species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions including the Americas, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, southern and eastern Asia, and eastern Australia. Several endemic species occur on oceanic islands including the Galapagos, Canary Islands, Mauritius, Príncipe, and São Tomé. Leptotes species are myrmecophilous, meaning they have associations with ants, though research suggests ant partners play a minor role in their occurrence on host plants.
Lycaenidae
gossamer-winged butterflies, blues, coppers, hairstreaks, harvesters
Lycaenidae is the second-largest butterfly family worldwide, comprising over 6,000 species that constitute approximately 30% of known butterfly diversity. Members are commonly called gossamer-winged butterflies, blues, coppers, hairstreaks, or harvesters depending on subfamily. The family is distinguished by intimate ecological associations with ants, with roughly 75% of species exhibiting myrmecophily—relationships ranging from mutualistic to parasitic.
Memphis
Memphis is a Neotropical genus of brush-footed butterflies in the subfamily Charaxinae, described by Jacob Hübner in 1819. The genus belongs to the family Nymphalidae and is part of the tribe Anaeini. These butterflies are found exclusively in the Neotropical region.
Michaelus ira
Shadowed Hairstreak
Michaelus ira is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the Shadowed Hairstreak. The species was originally described by Hewitson in 1867 under the genus Thecla before being transferred to Michaelus. As a member of the hairstreak group within Lycaenidae, it likely exhibits the characteristic tail-like projections on the hindwings typical of this butterfly lineage.
Nathalis
Nathalis is a small genus of butterflies in the family Pieridae, containing two recognized species. The genus is notable for including the dainty sulphur (Nathalis iole), one of the smallest butterflies in North America. Species in this genus occur from North America through Central America to northern South America. The genus has been subject to behavioral study, with research documenting courtship displays in N. iole.
Neonympha
satyr butterflies
Neonympha is a genus of satyrid butterflies occurring in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. The genus contains several recognized species, including the endangered Mitchell's satyr (Neonympha mitchellii) with its two subspecies: the nominate form in Michigan prairie fens and the Saint Francis satyr (N. m. francisci) restricted to North Carolina. These butterflies exhibit strong habitat specificity to wetland environments, particularly those with sedge vegetation.
Nymphalidae
Brush-footed Butterflies, Four-footed Butterflies
Nymphalidae is the largest family of butterflies, comprising approximately 6,000–7,200 species distributed across all continents except Antarctica. Members are medium-sized to large butterflies characterized by reduced, brush-like forelegs that are held curled against the thorax, causing adults to stand and walk on only four functional legs. The family exhibits exceptional diversity in wing patterns, with many species displaying bright dorsal coloration for mate attraction and cryptic ventral patterns for predator avoidance. Larvae typically possess spiny or hairy projections and feed on an exceptionally broad range of host plant families.
Nymphalinae
Checkerspots, Anglewings, Peacocks, and Allies
Nymphalinae is a subfamily of brush-footed butterflies within the family Nymphalidae. The group includes well-known butterflies such as anglewings, tortoiseshells, fritillaries, and admirals. Phylogenetic studies indicate the subfamily diversified following the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction, with subsequent dispersals into the Old World and New World beginning in the Eocene.
Pieridae
Whites, Yellows, Sulphurs, Orangetips
Pieridae is a large family of butterflies containing approximately 76 genera and 1,100 species, characterized by white, yellow, or orange coloration with black markings. The family was established by William Swainson in 1820. The name "butterfly" is believed to derive from the brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), a member of this family historically called the "butter-coloured fly." The family is divided into four subfamilies: Dismorphiinae, Pierinae, Coliadinae, and Pseudopontiinae. Many species are economically significant as agricultural pests, particularly those feeding on brassicas.
Riodinidae
Metalmark Butterflies, Metalmarks
Riodinidae is a family of butterflies commonly known as metalmarks, comprising approximately 1,532 species in 146 genera. The family is predominantly Neotropical in distribution but extends into the Nearctic, Palearctic, Australasian, Afrotropic, and Indomalayan realms. Members are distinguished by metallic spots on their wings, reduced male forelegs, and frequent myrmecophilous associations with ants. The family exhibits exceptional diversity in wing morphology and coloration, with extensive Batesian mimicry complexes documented in tropical species.
Riodininae
True Metalmarks
Riodininae is the largest subfamily within the metalmark butterfly family Riodinidae, comprising the majority of species diversity in the family. The subfamily contains ten recognized tribes: Befrostiini, Calydnini, Dianesiini, Emesidini, Eurybiini, Helicopini, Nymphidiini, Riodinini, Sertaniini, and Symmachiini. Members are distinguished by forewing venation patterns, with some tribes possessing five forewing radial veins and others four. The subfamily has undergone recent phylogenetic revision based on morphological and molecular data.
Satyrini
Alpines, Arctics, Nymphs, Satyrs, Graylings, Ringlets
Satyrini is the largest tribe in the subfamily Satyrinae, containing approximately 2,200 species of butterflies. The group includes well-known butterflies such as graylings, ringlets, and satyrs. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have substantially revised the tribe's taxonomy, incorporating many genera formerly placed in the tribe Elymniini. The tribe's evolutionary history is closely tied to the diversification of grasses.
Smyrna
Smyrna is a genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, distributed from Mexico through Central America to South America. The genus was established by Jacob Hübner in 1823 and belongs to the tribe Coeini within the subfamily Nymphalinae. Species in this genus are medium-sized brush-footed butterflies with distinctive wing patterns.
Staphylus
Scallopwings
Staphylus is a genus of skipper butterflies (family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae, tribe Carcharodini) commonly known as scallopwings. The genus is found primarily in the Neotropical region, with species distributed across South America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and the southern United States. The subgenus Capilla was revised in 2023, with four new species described and female genitalia illustrated for six species for the first time.