Butterflies in Israel
The nation of Israel is home to several species of butterflies that have adapted to the varying temperatures of the country. Notable butterflies seen here include the Painted Lady, the Plain Tiger, and the Long-tailed Blue.
Butterflies in Israel
List of Different Butterfly Species of Israel
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- African Ringlet (Ypthima asterope)
- Cardinal (Argynnis pandora)
- Comma (Polygonia c-album)
- Danaid Eggfly (Hypolimnas misippus)
- Eastern Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea telona)
- Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Roxelana’s Grayling (Kirinia roxelana)
- Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
- Two-tailed Pasha (Charaxes jasius)
- Aglais urticae turcica
- Chazara persephone transiens
- Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus)
- Fabriciana niobe philistra
- Hipparchia fatua sichaea
- Hipparchia pisidice
- Hyponephele lupinus centralis
- Hyponephele lycaon libanotica
- Lasiommata maera orientalis
- Lasiommata megera emilyssa
- Limenitis reducta schiffermuelleri
- Maniola telmessia telmessia
- Melanargia titea titania
- Melitaea arduinna evanescens
- Melitaea cinxia clarissa
- Melitaea collina collina
- Melitaea deserticola macromaculata
- Melitaea didyma libanotica
- Melitaea persea montium
- Melitaea trivia syriaca
- Polygonia egea egea
- Pseudochazara mamura larseni
- Pseudochazara pelopea pelopea
- Pseudochazara telephassa
- Satyrus ferula makmal
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Anatolian Odd-spot Blue (Turanana endymion)
- Balkan Pierrot (Tarucus balkanicus)
- Black-striped Hairtail (Anthene amarah)
- Bright Babul Blue (Azanus ubaldus)
- Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)
- Dark Grass Blue (Zizeeria karsandra)
- Geranium Bronze (Cacyreus marshalli)
- Grass Jewel (Freyeria trochylus)
- Green-underside Blue (Glaucopsyche alexis)
- Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium ilicis)
- Lang’s Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous)
- Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus)
- Persian Grass Blue (Luthrodes galba)
- Pfeiffer’s Green Hairstreak (Callophrys paulae)
- Pomegranate Playboy (Deudorix livia)
- Tawny Silverline (Cigaritis acamas)
- Aricia bassoni
- Aricia isaurica dorsum-stellae
- Azanus jesous gamra
- Callophrys rubi intermedia
- Celastrina argiolus paraleuca
- Cigaritis acamas egyptiaca
- Cigaritis cilissa
- Cyaniris bellis antiochena
- Iolana alfierii
- Iolaus glaucus
- Kretania eurypilus euaemon
- Kretania nicholli
- Kretania philbyi
- Kretania pylaon cleopatra
- Lycaena asabinus asabinus
- Lycaena ochimus ochimus
- Lycaena phlaeas timeus
- Lycaena thersamon omphale
- Plebejidea loewii uranicola
- Polyommatus alcestis alcestis
- Polyommatus anthea
- Polyommatus icarus zelleri
- Polyommatus isauricoides isauriciodes
- Polyommatus juno
- Pseudophilotes abencerragus nabataeus
- Pseudophilotes vicrama astabene
- Quercusia quercus longicauda
- Satyrium abdominalis persica
- Satyrium myrtale myrtale
- Satyrium spini melantho
- Tarucus rosaceus
- Tomares nesimachus
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Bath White (Pontia daplidice)
- Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)
- Desert White (Pontia glauconome)
- Eastern Dappled White (Euchloe ausonia)
- Eastern Greenish Black-tip (Euchloe penia)
- Pale Grass Blue (Catopsilia florella)
- Pioneer White (Belenois aurota)
- Anthocharis cardamines phoenissa
- Anthocharis damone syra
- Anthocharis gruneri gruneri
- Aporia crataegi augustior
- Colias libanotica libanotica
- Colotis chrysonome chrysonome
- Colotis fausta fausta
- Colotis phisadia phisadia
- Euchloe aegyptiaca
- Euchloe belemia belemia
- Euchloe charlonia charlonia
- Euchloe falloui falloui
- Gonepteryx cleopatra taurica
- Gonepteryx farinosa farinosa
- Gonepteryx rhamni meridionalis
- Pieris brassicae catoleuca
- Pieris napi dubiosa
- Pieris rapae leucosoma
- Zegris eupheme uarda
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Sahara Swallowtail (Papilio saharae)
- Allancastria cerisyi speciosa
- Allancastria deyrollei eisneri
- Archon apollinus bellargus
- Iphiclides podalirius virgatus
- Papilio alexanor maccabaeus
- Papilio machaon syriacus
- Parnassius mnemosyne syra
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Dingy Swift (Gegenes nostrodamus)
- Pygmy Skipper (Gegenes pumilio)
- Carcharodus stauderi ambigua
- Spialia doris doris
- Thymelicus sylvestris syriaca
Some of the best places to see butterflies in Israel include the Ramat Hanadiv public gardens, the Bat Yam butterfly garden, and the nursery in Hof HaCarmel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common butterfly species found in Israel?
The most common butterfly species in Israel include the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), the Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus), and the Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus). These species are notable for their successful adaptation to the country’s varied temperatures and are frequently observed in different habitats across the region.
Is the Painted Lady butterfly native to Israel?
Yes, the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is a prominent butterfly species found in Israel. It belongs to the Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae) family and is well-adapted to the local climate. This species is one of the most widespread butterflies in the world and is commonly seen throughout the country.
What is the Plain Tiger butterfly seen in Israel?
The Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus) is a species of Brush-Footed butterfly commonly found in Israel. It is known for its distinct orange and black markings, which serve as a warning to predators. This species has successfully adapted to the region’s varying temperatures and diverse ecological zones.
Are there blue butterflies in Israel?
Yes, several species of blue butterflies are found in Israel, primarily from the Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae) family. Notable examples include the Long-tailed Blue, the Anatolian Odd-spot Blue, the Bright Babul Blue, and the Green-underside Blue, each inhabiting specific ecological niches within the country.
What types of Brush-Footed butterflies live in Israel?
Israel is home to a diverse range of Brush-Footed butterflies (Nymphalidae). Prominent species include the Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Two-tailed Pasha, and Cardinal. This family is characterized by its members having their front pair of legs reduced in size, which are not used for walking.
Does the Two-tailed Pasha butterfly live in Israel?
Yes, the Two-tailed Pasha (Charaxes jasius) is a species of Brush-Footed butterfly that resides in Israel. It is one of the larger and more striking butterflies found in the region. This species is known for its powerful flight and territorial behavior, typically found in specific woodland habitats.
What are Gossamer-Winged butterflies in Israel?
Gossamer-Winged butterflies (Lycaenidae) in Israel are a family of small, often colorful butterflies. This group includes species like the Long-tailed Blue, Geranium Bronze, and Ilex Hairstreak. They are typically characterized by their delicate appearance and are found in various habitats, from grasslands to wooded areas.
