Butterflies in Brazil
Brazil boasts a diverse array of butterflies, including the iconic Blue Morpho and the vibrant Julia Heliconian. Varied landscapes, from rainforests to grasslands, provide rich habitats for these delicate and colorful insects. The Amazon rainforest and Atlantic Forest contribute significantly to its rich fauna of butterflies.
Butterflies in Brazil
List of Different Butterfly Species of Brazil
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Elara Clearwing (Aeria elara)
- Berania Daggerwing (Marpesia berania)
- Harmonia Tigerwing (Tithorea harmonia)
- Flamingo Leafwing (Fountainea ryphra)
- Menelaus Morpho (Morpho menelaus)
- Helenor Morpho (Morpho helenor)
- Cassiope Owl (Selenophanes cassiope)
- Mimas Satyr (Magneuptychia mimas)
- Astarte Eighty-eight (Callicore astarte)
- Clymenia Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena)
- Hystaspes Eighty-eight (Callicore hystaspes)
- Kolyma Eighty-eight (Catacore kolyma)
- Pyracmon Eighty-eight (Paulogramma pyracmon)
- Pusilla Purplewing (Eunica pusilla)
- Amphiro Redring (Pyrrhogyra amphiro)
- Starry Night Cracker (Hamadryas laodamia)
- Variable Cracker (Hamadryas feronia)
- Pyrame Beauty (Haematera pyrame)
- White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae)
- Red Peacock (Anartia amathea)
- Tropical Buckeye (Junonia evarete)
- Malachite (Siproeta stelenes)
- Capucinus Sister (Adelpha capucinus)
- Pointer Sister (Adelpha iphiclus)
- Smooth-banded Sister (Adelpha cytherea)
- Claudina Crescent (Tegosa claudina)
- Serpia Crescent (Tegosa serpia)
- Green Longwing (Philaethria dido)
- Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
- Julia Heliconian (Dryas iulia)
- Juno (Dione juno)
- Red Postman (Heliconius erato)
- Banded Longwing (Dryadula phaetusa)
- Illioneus Giant Owl (Caligo ilioneus)
- Southern Monarch (Danaus erippus)
- Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus)
- Silver Emperor (Doxocopa laure)
- Linda’s Emperor (Doxocopa linda)
- Blue Morpho (Morpho peleides)
- Dynamine agacles
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Marysas Hairstreak (Pseudolycaena marsyas)
- Pearly-gray Hairstreak (Strephonata tephraeus)
- Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus)
- Cassius Blue (Leptotes cassius)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Florida White (Appias drusilla)
- Elathea Yellow (Eurema elathea)
- Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- Great Southern White (Ascia monuste)
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Chione Nymphidium (Nymphidium chione)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Thaos Swallowtail (Papilio thaos)
- Hyppason Swallowtail (Papilio hyppason)
- Ruby Spotted Swallowtail (Papilio anchisiades)
- Neophilous Cattleheart (Parides neophilus)
- Panthonus Cattleheart (Parides panthonus)
- Vertumnous Cattleheart (Parides vertumnus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Black-patched Duskywing (Ebrietas anacreon)
- Geometrina Skipper (Trina geometrina)
- Frosted Flasher (Astraptes alardus)
- Veined White Skipper (Heliopetes arsalte)
- Barcastus Firetip (Mysoria barcastus)
- Dorantes Longtail (Urbanus dorantes)
- Megacles Longtail (Aguna megaelus)
- Plain Longtail (Urbanus simplicius)
- Teleus Longtail (Urbanus teleus)
- Theagenes dichorus
The Onofre Cunha forest fragment, the Pantanal, and the Amazon are some of the best places for wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts to watch butterflies. They can also be viewed in sunny areas along roads, open field plantations, and trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous butterfly in Brazil?
The Blue Morpho is one of the most famous butterflies in Brazil. This large, iconic species is renowned for its brilliant, iridescent blue wings, which are a common sight in the country’s rainforest habitats. Its vibrant color is created by the microscopic structure of its wing scales, not pigment.
Where are the best places to see butterflies in Brazil?
The best places to see butterflies in Brazil are within its diverse ecosystems, particularly the Amazon rainforest and the Atlantic Forest. These regions offer rich habitats with abundant nectar sources and host plants, supporting a significant portion of the country’s vast and colorful butterfly fauna, including many unique species.
What are the Eighty-eight butterflies found in Brazil?
The Eighty-eight butterflies are a group of Brush-Footed butterflies named for the distinct markings on their hindwings that resemble the number “88”. Several species are found in Brazil, including:
* Astarte Eighty-eight (Callicore astarte)
* Clymenia Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena)
* Hystaspes Eighty-eight (Callicore hystaspes)
* Kolyma Eighty-eight (Catacore kolyma)
Are Monarch butterflies native to Brazil?
Yes, a species of Monarch butterfly is native to Brazil. The Southern Monarch (Danaus erippus) is found throughout the region and is a close relative of the more widely known North American Monarch. It shares the classic orange and black wing pattern but has different migratory and life cycle behaviors.
What types of Brush-Footed butterflies live in Brazil?
Brazil is home to a vast number of Brush-Footed butterflies (family Nymphalidae). This diverse family includes well-known groups such as the Morphos, Heliconians (Longwings), Owl butterflies, Crackers, and Sisters. Many of these species are notable for their vibrant colors and large size, thriving in Brazil’s tropical habitats.
Is the Malachite butterfly found in Brazil?
Yes, the Malachite butterfly (Siproeta stelenes) is found in Brazil. This species is easily recognized by its large wings that feature a striking pattern of black and brilliant green or yellowish-green patches. It is a common species in the tropical and subtropical forests and gardens throughout the country.
Why does Brazil have so many different butterfly species?
Brazil has an exceptionally high number of butterfly species due to its vast and varied landscapes. The country’s diverse habitats, from the Amazon rainforest and Atlantic Forest to grasslands and wetlands, provide the specific host plants and nectar sources required to support a rich and specialized butterfly fauna.
