Butterflies in Estonia
Estonia is known for its biodiversity thanks to its varied environmental conditions, including temperate and coastal climates, allowing various butterflies to live there. Notable species include the Chestnut Heath, the Lapland Ringlet, and the
Butterflies in Estonia
List of Different Butterfly Species of Estonia
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Cardinal (Argynnis pandora)
- Chestnut Heath (Coenonympha glycerion)
- Comma (Polygonia c-album)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Cranberry Fritillary (Boloria aquilonaris)
- Dark Green Fritillary (Speyeria aglaja)
- Dusky Meadow Brown (Hyponephele lycaon)
- False Heath Fritillary (Melitaea diamina)
- Freija Fritillary (Boloria freija)
- Frigga Fritillary (Boloria frigga)
- Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia)
- Grayling (Hipparchia semele)
- Heath Fritillary (Melitaea athalia)
- High Brown Fritillary (Fabriciana adippe)
- Jutta Arctic (Oeneis jutta)
- Lapland Ringlet (Erebia embla)
- Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros)
- Large Wall Brown (Lasiommata maera)
- Lesser Marbled Fritillary (Brenthis ino)
- Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura ilia)
- Map (Araschnia levana)
- 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)
- Northern Wall Brown (Lasiommata petropolitana)
- Ocellate Bog Fritillary (Boloria eunomia)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Pallas’ Fritillary (Argynnis laodice)
- Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io)
- Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne)
- Pearly Heath (Coenonympha arcania)
- Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe)
- Poplar Admiral (Limenitis populi)
- Purple Emperor (Apatura iris)
- Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperanthus)
- Scarce Fritillary (Euphydryas maturna)
- Scarce Heath (Coenonympha hero)
- Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia)
- Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
- Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
- Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)
- Titania’s Fritillary (Boloria titania)
- Tullia’s Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia)
- Violet Frillitary (Boloria dia)
- White Admiral (Limenitis camilla)
- Woodland Brown (Lopinga achine)
- Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis xanthomelas)
- Coenonympha pamphilius
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Adonis Blue (Lysandra bellargus)
- Amanda’s Blue (Polyommatus amandus)
- Black Hairstreak (Satyrium pruni)
- Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae)
- Chalkhill Blue (Lysandra coridon)
- Cranberry Blue (Agriades optilete)
- Damon Blue (Polyommatus damon)
- Eastern Baton Blue (Pseudophilotes vicrama)
- European Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)
- Geranium Argus (Eumedonia eumedon)
- Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)
- Green-underside Blue (Glaucopsyche alexis)
- Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
- Idas Blue (Plebejus idas)
- Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium ilicis)
- Large Blue (Phengaris arion)
- Large copper (Lycaena dispar)
- Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)
- Northern Brown Argus (Aricia artaxerxes)
- Orion Blue (Scolitantides orion)
- Purple-edged Copper (Lycaena hippothoe)
- Purple Hairstreak (Thecla quercus)
- Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron)
- Scarce Copper (Lycaena virgaureae)
- Short-tailed Blue (Cupido argiades)
- Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus)
- Small Blue (Cupido minimus)
- Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Sooty Copper (Lycaena tityrus)
- White-letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Bath White (Pontia daplidice)
- Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi)
- Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae)
- Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea)
- Common Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
- Green-veined White (Pieris napi)
- Moorland Clouded Yellow (Colias palaeno)
- Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
- Pale Clouded Yellow (Colias hyale)
- Small White (Pieris rapae)
- Wood White (Leptidea sinapis)
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne)
- Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
- Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages)
- Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae)
- Olive Skipper (Pyrgus serratulae)
- Large Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus alveus)
- Large Chequered Skipper (Heteropterus morpheus)
- Northern Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus silvicola)
- Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)
- European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
- Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)
- Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma)
Some of the best places to go butterfly spotting in Estonia include the Pihla-Kaibaldi Nature Reserve on Hiiumaa Island, the Butterfly House in Pärnu County, and Kasari meadows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common brush-footed butterflies in Estonia?
Estonia is home to many brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae), including the Peacock Butterfly, Red Admiral, and Painted Lady. Other notable members of this family found in the region are the Comma, Mourning Cloak, and various fritillary species, all contributing to the country’s rich lepidopteran biodiversity.
Why does Estonia have such a diverse butterfly population?
Estonia’s diverse butterfly population is due to its varied environmental conditions and habitats, including temperate forests, bogs, and coastal meadows. This mosaic of ecosystems supports a wide range of host plants and nectar sources, allowing numerous specialized and generalist butterfly species to thrive throughout the country.
Are there any arctic butterfly species found in Estonia?
Yes, Estonia is home to several arctic and boreal butterfly species, which are often relics from the post-glacial period. Notable examples found in Estonian bogs and specific forest types include the Jutta Arctic (Oeneis jutta) and the Lapland Ringlet (Erebia embla), which are adapted to cooler climates.
What is the habitat of the Lapland Ringlet butterfly in Estonia?
The Lapland Ringlet (Erebia embla) in Estonia primarily inhabits damp, open woodlands and the edges of peat bogs, particularly those with cotton-grasses that serve as larval food plants. This species is a boreal specialist, and its presence indicates a healthy, specific type of wetland ecosystem.
How can you identify a Peacock Butterfly in Estonia?
You can identify a Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) by its striking, large eyespots on the upperside of its reddish-brown wings. Each of the four wings has a distinct, colorful spot resembling a peacock’s feather. The underside is a contrasting dark, almost black, providing excellent camouflage when at rest.
When is the best time to see butterflies in Estonia?
The best time to see butterflies in Estonia is during the warmer months, from late spring through summer, typically peaking from June to August. During this period, temperatures are favorable for flight activity, and a wide variety of native flowers are in bloom, providing essential nectar for adult butterflies.
Is the Painted Lady butterfly a migratory species in Estonia?
Yes, the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is a well-known migratory butterfly species found in Estonia. It does not typically overwinter in the country but arrives in waves from southern Europe and North Africa during the spring and summer months to breed before the next generation migrates south again.
