Butterflies in Croatia
Around 200 butterflies have been observed in Croatia, including the beautiful Two-tailed Pasha, the stunning Scarce Swallowtail, and the gorgeous Old World Swallowtail.
Butterflies in Croatia
List of Different Butterfly Species of Croatia
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Assmann’s Fritillary (Melitaea britomartis)
- Balkan Marbled White (Melanargia larissa)
- Black Ringlet (Erebia melas)
- Cardinal (Argynnis pandora)
- Chestnut Heath (Coenonympha glycerion)
- Comma (Polygonia c-album)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Dark Green Fritillary (Speyeria aglaja)
- Dark Rock Brown (Chazara briseis)
- Dryad (Minois dryas)
- Dusky Meadow Brown (Hyponephele lycaon)
- Dusky Ringlet (Erebia oeme)
- Eastern Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea telona)
- Eastern Large Heath (Coenonympha rhodopensis)
- European Nettle-tree Butterfly (Libythea celtis)
- False Grayling (Arethusana arethusa)
- False Heath Fritillary (Melitaea diamina)
- False Ringlet (Coenonympha oedippus)
- Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia)
- Grayling (Hipparchia semele)
- Great Banded Grayling (Brintesia circe)
- Great Sooty Satyr (Satyrus ferula)
- Grison’s Fritillary (Erebia medusa)
- Heath Fritillary (Melitaea athalia)
- Hedge Brown (Pyronia tithonus)
- High Brown Fritillary (Fabriciana adippe)
- Hungarian Glider (Neptis rivularis)
- Large Ringlet (Erebia euryale)
- Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros)
- Large Wall Brown (Lasiommata maera)
- Lesser Marbled Fritillary (Brenthis ino)
- Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura ilia)
- Map (Araschnia levana)
- Marbled Fritillary (Brenthis daphne)
- Marbled White (Melanargia galathea)
- Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia)
- Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)
- Meadow Ringlet (Erebia ligea)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Nickerl’s Fritillary (Melitaea aurelia)
- Niobe Fritillary (Fabriciana niobe)
- Oriental Meadow Brown (Hipparchia syriaca)
- Ottoman Brassy Ringlet (Erebia ottomana)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Pallas’ Sailer (Neptis sappho)
- Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io)
- Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne)
- Pearly Heath (Coenonympha arcania)
- Phoebe Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe)
- Poplar Admiral (Limenitis populi)
- Purple Emperor (Apatura iris)
- Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
- Roxelana’s Grayling (Kirinia roxelana)
- Scarce Fritillary (Euphydryas maturna)
- Scotch Argus (Erebia aethiops)
- Shepherd’s Fritillary (Erebia pronoe)
- Silky Ringlet (Erebia gorge)
- Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia)
- Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
- Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
- Southern Comma (Polygonia egea)
- Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia)
- Southern Marbled Skipper (Hyponephele lupinus)
- Southern White Admiral (Limenitis reducta)
- Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
- Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)
- Styrian Ringlet (Erebia stirius)
- Titania’s Fritillary (Boloria titania)
- Tree Grayling (Hipparchia statilinus)
- Twin-spot Fritillary (Brenthis hecate)
- Two-tailed Pasha (Charaxes jasius)
- Violet Frillitary (Boloria dia)
- Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera)
- White Admiral (Limenitis camilla)
- Woodland Brown (Lopinga achine)
- Woodland Grayling (Hipparchia fagi)
- Woodland Ringlet (Erebia epiphron)
- Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis xanthomelas)
- Proterebia afra
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Balkan Blue (Agriades dardanus)
- Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)
- Blue Argus (Aricia anteros)
- Northern Brown Argus (Aricia artaxerxes)
- Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)
- Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
- Small Blue (Cupido minimus)
- Osiris Blue (Cupido osiris)
- Provençal Short-tailed Blue (Cupido alcetas)
- Short-tailed Blue (Cupido argiades)
- Eastern Short-tailed Blue (Cupido decolorata)
- Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)
- Geranium Argus (Eumedonia eumedon)
- Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus)
- Green-underside Blue (Glaucopsyche alexis)
- Iolas Blue (Iolana iolas)
- Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus)
- Lang’s Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous)
- Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron)
- Dusky Copper (Lycaena candens)
- Large Copper (Lycaena dispar)
- Purple-edged Copper (Lycaena hippothoe)
- Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Lesser Fiery Copper (Lycaena thersamon)
- Sooty Copper (Lycaena tityrus)
- Scarce Copper (Lycaena virgaureae)
- Adonis Blue (Lysandra bellargus)
- Chalkhill Blue (Lysandra coridon)
- Alcon Blue (Phengaris alcon)
- Large Blue (Phengaris arion)
- Dusky Large Blue (Phengaris nausithous)
- Scarce Large Blue (Phengaris teleius)
- Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus)
- Reverdin’s Blue (Plebejus argyrognomon)
- Idas Blue (Plebejus idas)
- Anomalous Blue (Polyommatus admetus)
- Meleager’s Blue (Polyommatus daphnis)
- Amanda’s Blue (Polyommatus amandus)
- Dorylas Blue (Polyommatus dorylas)
- Eros Blue (Polyommatus eros)
- Escher’s Blue (Polyommatus escheri)
- European Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)
- Chapman’s Blue (Polyommatus thersites)
- Eastern Baton Blue (Pseudophilotes vicrama)
- Sloe Hairstreak (Satyrium acaciae)
- Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium ilicis)
- Black Hairstreak (Satyrium pruni)
- Blue-spot Hairstreak (Satyrium spini)
- White-letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album)
- Orion Blue (Scolitantides orion)
- Little Tiger Pierrot (Tarucus balkanica)
- Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
- Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi)
- Berger’s Clouded Yellow (Colias alfacariensis)
- Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)
- Pale Clouded Yellow (Colias hyale)
- Danube Clouded Yellow (Colias myrmidone)
- Eastern Dappled White (Euchloe ausonia)
- Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra)
- Common Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
- Fenton’s Wood White (Leptidea morsei)
- Wood White (Leptidea sinapis)
- Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae)
- Persian White (Pieris ergane)
- Southern Small White (Pieris mannii)
- Green-veined White (Pieris napi)
- Small White (Pieris rapae)
- Eastern Bath White (Pontia edusa)
- Pieris balcana
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)
- Alexandra’s Swallowtail (Papilio alexanor)
- Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
- Apollo (Parnassius apollo)
- Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne)
- Southern Festoon (Zerynthia polyxena)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alceae)
- Tufted Skipper (Carcharodus floccifera)
- Marbled Skipper (Carcharodus lavatherae)
- Oriental Skipper (Carcharodus orientalis)
- Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)
- Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages)
- Dingy Swift (Gegenes nostrodamus)
- Pygmy Skipper (Gegenes pumilio)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma)
- Large Chequered Skipper (Heteropterus morpheus)
- Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus)
- Large Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus alveus)
- Oberthür’s Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus armoricanus)
- Safflower Skipper (Pyrgus carthami)
- Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae)
- Rozy Grizzled Argus (Pyrgus onopordi)
- Olive Skipper (Pyrgus serratulae)
- Yellow-banded Skipper (Pyrgus sidae)
- Hungaria Skipper (Spialia orbifer)
- Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius)
- Lulworth Skipper (Thymelicus acteon)
- European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
- Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many species of butterflies are found in Croatia?
Approximately 200 butterfly species have been observed and recorded throughout Croatia. This rich biodiversity includes well-known types like the Old World Swallowtail and the Two-tailed Pasha, as well as a vast number of Brush-Footed butterflies (Nymphalidae), making the country a significant location for European lepidopterists.
What are some of the most notable butterflies in Croatia?
Some of the most notable butterflies in Croatia include the Two-tailed Pasha, Scarce Swallowtail, and Old World Swallowtail. The country also hosts a large variety of Brush-Footed species such as the vibrant Peacock Butterfly, the migratory Painted Lady, and the distinctively patterned Comma butterfly, showcasing its ecological diversity.
When is the best season for butterfly watching in Croatia?
The best season for butterfly watching in Croatia is during the late spring and summer months, typically from May through August. This period offers warm, sunny weather, which is ideal for butterfly activity as they emerge to feed on nectar-rich flowers and engage in mating behaviors across various habitats.
Are Swallowtail butterflies common in Croatia?
Yes, several Swallowtail species are found in Croatia, with the Scarce Swallowtail and the Old World Swallowtail being prominent examples. These large, colorful butterflies are often spotted in meadows, gardens, and open woodlands, contributing to the country’s reputation as a key area for European butterfly diversity.
What is the Brush-Footed butterfly family in Croatia?
The Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae) family is the largest family of butterflies found in Croatia, characterized by their reduced front legs. This diverse group includes many well-known species like the Painted Lady, Peacock Butterfly, various Fritillaries, and the Mourning Cloak, inhabiting a wide range of Croatian ecosystems.
Where are the best locations to see butterflies in Croatia?
The best locations for butterfly watching in Croatia are its national parks and nature reserves, such as Plitvice Lakes and Krka. These protected areas feature diverse habitats, from meadows and forests to wetlands, which support a high concentration of the country’s nearly 200 butterfly species, including many rare types.
Is the Painted Lady butterfly found in Croatia?
Yes, the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is a butterfly species found in Croatia. As a member of the Brush-Footed family, this well-known migratory butterfly can be observed in various open habitats across the country, particularly during its long-distance flights between Africa and Europe, making it a common sight.
