Butterflies in Jamaica
The tropical climate of the island nation of Jamaica supports various butterfly species. The largest of them is the Homerus Swallowtail, an endemic species that can only be seen here. Other notable butterflies include the Jamaican Monarch, the Jamaican Hairstreak, and the Dingy Purplewing.
Butterflies in Jamaica
List of Different Butterfly Species of Jamaica
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Antillean Mapwing (Hypanartia paullus)
- Dingy Purplewing (Eunica monima)
- Jaeger’s Anetia (Anetia jaegeri)
- Jamaican Monarch (Danaus cleophile)
- Jamaican Satyr (Calisto zangis)
- Mangrove Buckeye (Junonia genoveva)
- Many-banded Daggerwing (Marpesia chiron)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Agraulis vanilla insularis
- Anaea troglodyta portia
- Anartia jatrophae jamaicensis
- Anthanassa frisia frisia
- Antillea pelops pygmaea
- Colobura dirce wolcotti
- Danaus eresimus tethys
- Danaus gilippus jamaicensis
- Danaus plexippus megalippe
- Doxocopa laure laura
- Dryas iulia delila
- Dynamine serina serina
- Eunica tatila tatilista
- Euptoieta hegesia hegesia
- Greta diaphanus diaphanus
- Hamadryas amphichloe diasia
- Heliconius charithonia simulator
- Historis acheronta cadmus
- Junonia evarete zonalis
- Lucinia cadma
- Lycorea halia cleobaea
- Marpesia eleuchea pellenis
- Mestra dorcas dorcas
- Siproeta stelenes stelenes
- Vanessa atalanta rubria
- Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Jamaican Hairstreak (Rekoa bourkei)
- Martial Scrub-hairstreak (Strymon martialis)
- Brephidium exilis isophthalma
- Chlorostrymon simaethis jago
- Electrostrymon angelia pantoni
- Electrostrymon pan
- Hemiargus ceraunus ceraunus
- Leptotes cassius theonus
- Strymon acis gossei
- Strymon bazochii gundlachianus
- Strymon istapa cybira
- Strymon limenia
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Boisduval’s Yellow (Eurema boisduvaliana)
- Lyside Sulphur (Kricogonia lyside)
- Shy Yellow (Pyrisitia messalina)
- Sleepy Orange (Abaeis nicippe)
- White-angled Sulphur (Anteos clorinde)
- Anteos maerula maerula
- Aphrissa godartiana hartonia
- Aphrissa statira cubana
- Nathalis iole iole
- Phoebis argante comstocki
- Pyrisitia dina parvumbra
- Pyrisitia lisa euterpe
- Pyrisitia nise nise
- Pyrisitia proterpia proterpia
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Bahaman Swallowtail (Papilio andraemon)
- Homerus Swallowtail (Papilio homerus)
- Jamaican Kite (Eurytides marcellinus)
- Prickly Ash Swallowtail (Papilio pelaus)
- Thersites Swallowtail (Papilio thersites)
- Battus polydamas jamaicensis
- Papilio demoleus demoleus
- Papilio melonius
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Green Flasher (Astraptes talus)
- Jamaican Flasher (Astraptes jaira)
- Ocola Skipper (Panoquina ocola)
- Potrillo Skipper (Autochton potrillo)
- Three-spotted Skipper (Cymaenes tripunctus)
- Turner’s Skipper (Troyus turneri)
- Violet-banded Skipper (Nyctelius nyctelius)
- Yellow-tipped Flasher (Telegonus anaphus)
- Astraptes anaphus anausis
- Cabares potrillo potrillo
- Euphyes singularis insolata
- Perichares philetes
- Polygonus leo hagar
- Proteides mercurius jamaicensis
One of the best places to see butterflies in Jamaica is Marshall’s Pen, a park that is also a national heritage site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest butterfly in Jamaica?
The largest butterfly in Jamaica is the Homerus Swallowtail. This species is endemic to the island, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. Its significant size and rarity make it a notable and protected part of Jamaica’s unique biodiversity, attracting researchers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Are there any butterflies found only in Jamaica?
Yes, Jamaica is home to endemic butterfly species, most notably the Homerus Swallowtail. This large, rare butterfly is found exclusively on the island, primarily in specific forested regions. Its unique status highlights the importance of Jamaica’s ecosystems for supporting species that exist nowhere else on Earth.
What are the most common butterfly families in Jamaica?
The most common butterfly families found in Jamaica include the Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae), Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae), and the Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae). These families encompass a wide variety of species, from the Jamaican Monarch to the smaller Jamaican Hairstreak, showcasing the island’s rich lepidopteran diversity.
What is the Jamaican Monarch butterfly?
The Jamaican Monarch (Danaus cleophile) is a species of Brush-Footed butterfly found on the island. While related to the more widespread Monarch butterfly, this particular species is native to the Caribbean. It is one of the many distinct Nymphalidae family members that contribute to Jamaica’s vibrant ecosystem.
Can you see the American Lady butterfly in Jamaica?
Yes, the American Lady butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis) can be seen in Jamaica. It is listed among the Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae) family of butterflies that inhabit the island. This species is widespread across North and Central America, and its presence in Jamaica is part of its broader geographical range.
What type of butterfly is the Jamaican Hairstreak?
The Jamaican Hairstreak (Rekoa bourkei) is a type of Gossamer-Winged butterfly belonging to the Lycaenidae family. These are typically small, delicate butterflies known for the thin, hair-like tails on their hindwings. The Jamaican Hairstreak is one of several hairstreak species recorded on the island.
Is the Dingy Purplewing butterfly found in Jamaica?
Yes, the Dingy Purplewing (Eunica monima) is a butterfly species found in Jamaica. It belongs to the Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae) family, a large and diverse group of butterflies. This species is one of many Nymphalids that contribute to the rich biodiversity of the island’s tropical environment.
