Butterflies in Argentina
Argentina has a lot of diverse habitats that are home to multiple butterfly species. These insects can be seen throughout the country, from the Andes to the Pampas. As a matter of fact, Argentina is one of three countries – the other two being Brazil and Paraguay – where people can access the area around Iguazu Falls, where butterflies congregate in large numbers.
Butterflies in Argentina
List of Different Butterfly Species of Argentina
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Agathina Emperor (Doxocopa agathina)
- American Snout Butterfly (Libytheana carinenta)
- Brown Peacock (Anartia amathea)
- Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae)
- Ithra Crescent Butterfly (Ortilia ithra)
- Malachite Butterfly (Siproeta stelenes)
- Red Rim Butterfly (Biblis hyperia)
- Southern Monarch Butterfly (Danaus erippus)
- Archaeoprepona demophon demophon
- Archaeoprepona demophoon demophoon
- Catonephele numila neogermanica
- Consul fabius drurii
- Doxocopa linda mileta
- Dynamine agacles
- Episcada carcinia
- Hypna clytemnestra huebneri
- Memphis moruus coerulescens
- Philaethria wernickei
- Prepona pylene pylene
- Pseudoscada erruca
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Black Hairstreak (Ocaria ocrisia)
- Cyna Blue (Zizula cyna)
- Lantana Scrub-hairstreak (Strymon bazochii)
- Orange-banded Metalmark (Parcella amarynthina)
- Red-crescent Scrub-hairstreak (Strymon rufofusca)
- Red-spotted Hairstreak (Tmolus echion)
- Tropical Green Hairstreak (Cyanophrys herodotus)
- Caria castalia marsyas
- Chalodeta theodora theodora
- Chlorostrymon simaethis sarita
- Emesis ocypore zelotes
- Euselasia hygenius occulta
- Hemiargus hanno hanno
- Lasaia agesilas esmeralda
- Leptotes cassius cassius
- Mesene pyrippe sanguilenta
- Mesene simplex celetes
- Mesosemia odice odice
- Notheme erota angelius
- Parrhasius orgia orgia
- Rhetus periander eleusinus
- Strymon istapa istapa
- Symmachia menetas menetas
- Synargis calyce brennus
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- White-angled Sulphur (Anteos clorinde)
- Aphrissa statira statira
- Ascia monuste orseis
- Dismorphia thermesia thermesia
- Enantia lina psamathe
- Eurema albula sinoe
- Eurema deva deva
- Eurema elathea flavescens
- Eurema nise tenella
- Glutophrissa drusilla drusilla
- Leptophobia aripa balidia
- Melete lycimnia paulista
- Phoebis argante argante
- Phoebis philea philea
- Phoebis sennae marcellina
- Pieriballia viardi molione
- Pseudopieris nehemia prasina
- Pyrisitia leuce leuce
- Rhabdodryas trite banksi
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Agavus Cattleheart (Parides agavus)
- Madyes Swallowtail (Battus madyes)
- Variable Cattleheart (Parides erithalion)
- Battus polystictus polystictus
- Euryades duponchelii
- Papilio anchisiades capys
- Papilio androgeus laodocus
- Papilio astyalus astyalus
- Papilio menatius cleotas
- Papilio thoas brasiliensis
- Papilio torquatus polybius
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Brazilian Skipper (Calpodes ethlius)
- Common Mylon (Mylon maimon)
- Falcate Skipper (Spathilepia clonius)
- Fawn-spotted Skipper (Cymaenes odilia)
- Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis funeralis)
- Mimosa Skipper (Cogia calchas)
- Southern Broken Dash (Wallengrenia otho)
- Aguna asander asander
- Anastrus meliboea
- Astraptes alardus alardus
- Astraptes anaphus anaphus
- Astraptes creteus siges
- Astraptes fulgerator fulgerator
- Bolla atahualpai
- Calaenorrhinus similis similis
- Chioides catillus catillus
- Conga chydaea
- Epargyreus clavicornis clavicornis
- Gesta gesta
- Granilla paseas paseas
- Heliopetes laviana libra
- Myscelus amystis epigona
- Mysoria barcastus barta
- Pellicia dimidiata
- Pellicia vecina vecina
- Phocides pigmalion hewitsonius
- Phocides polybius phanius
- Polygonus leo leo
- Polygonus manueli manueli
- Polythrix octomaculata octomaculata
- Proteides mercurius mercurius
- Pyrgus orcas
- Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis
- Sostrata bifasciata bifasciata
- Telemiades amphion marpesus
- Telemiades laogonus laogonus
- Trina geometrina geometrina
- Typhedanus undulatus
- Urbanus dorantes dorantes
- Urbanus doryssus albicuspis
- Urbanus procne
- Urbanus proteus proteus
- Urbanus simplicius
- Urbanus teleus
Lepidopterists and photographers can visit several places to see butterflies in the country. Besides Iguazu Falls, other notable regions to see them include Calilegua National Park and the wetlands of Esteros del Iberá.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common butterfly families in Argentina?
The most common butterfly families in Argentina include the Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae), Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae), and the Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae). These families represent a significant portion of the country’s lepidopteran diversity, with species like the Southern Monarch and the Black Hairstreak inhabiting its varied ecosystems.
Where is the best place to see large numbers of butterflies in Argentina?
The best place to see large numbers of butterflies in Argentina is the area surrounding Iguazu Falls. This unique subtropical habitat, shared with Brazil and Paraguay, supports a high density and diversity of butterfly species that congregate in the humid environment, making it a premier location for observation.
Is the Southern Monarch butterfly found in Argentina?
Yes, the Southern Monarch (Danaus erippus) is a butterfly species found in Argentina. It is a member of the Nymphalidae, or Brush-Footed butterfly family. While visually similar to the North American Monarch, it is a distinct species native to the temperate and tropical regions of South America.
What types of Gossamer-Winged butterflies live in Argentina?
Argentina is home to numerous Gossamer-Winged butterflies (Lycaenidae), which are typically small and delicately colored. Specific species found within the country include the Black Hairstreak (Ocaria ocrisia), the Cyna Blue (Zizula cyna), the Lantana Scrub-hairstreak (Strymon bazochii), and the Tropical Green Hairstreak (Cyanophrys herodotus).
Why do so many butterflies gather at Iguazu Falls?
Large butterfly populations gather at Iguazu Falls due to the ideal environmental conditions of the subtropical rainforest. The area provides abundant nectar sources, host plants for larvae, and high humidity. Butterflies also congregate on damp soil and riverbanks to absorb essential minerals and salts, a behavior known as puddling.
What is a notable Brush-Footed butterfly species in Argentina?
A notable Brush-Footed butterfly (Nymphalidae) species in Argentina is the Malachite (Siproeta stelenes). This large butterfly is easily recognized by its striking bright green and dark brown or black wing patterns. It is frequently observed in the country’s subtropical forest regions, including around Iguazu Falls.
Are there green-colored butterflies in Argentina?
Yes, Argentina has several green-colored butterfly species. Notable examples include the Malachite (Siproeta stelenes), which has large, vivid green patches on its wings, and the Tropical Green Hairstreak (Cyanophrys herodotus), a smaller Gossamer-Winged butterfly known for its brilliant, iridescent green coloration on its wings.
