Butterflies in Mauritius
Due to its isolated location, there are only about 40 butterflies in Mauritius. However, this includes certain endemic species like the Mauritian Friar and the Mascarene Crow. Other notable butterflies include the Brown Playboy, the Citrus Swallowtail, and the Monarch.
Butterflies in Mauritius
List of Different Butterfly Species of Mauritius
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Brilliant Blue (Junonia rhadama)
- Common Evening Brown (Melanitis leda)
- Danaid Eggfly (Hypolimnas misippus)
- Mascarene Crow (Euploea euphon)
- Mauritian Friar (Amauris phoedon)
- Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Antanartia borbonica mauritiana
- Euploea desjardinsii
- Heteropsis narcissus
- Hypolimnas anthedon drucei
- Hypolimnas bolina jacintha
- Junonia goudotii
- Libythea cinyras
- Neptis frobenia
- Phalanta phalantha aethiopica
- Salamis augustina vinsoni
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- African Grass Blue (Zizeeria knysna)
- Dark Grass Blue (Zizina antanossa)
- Brown Playboy (Deudorix antalus)
- Lang’s Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous)
- Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus)
- Cacyreus darius
- Leptotes mandersi
- Pseudonacaduba sichela reticulum
- Zizula hylax
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Eurema brigitta pulchella
- Eurema floricola ceres
- Catopsilia florella thauruma
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Citrus Swallowtail (Papilio demodocus)
- Papilio manlius
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- African Straight (Parnara naso)
- Borbo Skipper (Borbo borbonica)
- Striped Policeman (Coeliades forestan)
- Palm Redeye (Erionota thrax)
- Coeliades ernesti
- Eagris sabadius
La Vanille Nature Reserve is the place to be if you want to see butterflies in Mauritius. At any given point in time, one can observe about 23,000 insects in the reserve, including butterflies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many butterfly species are in Mauritius?
Mauritius is home to approximately 40 different butterfly species. This relatively low number is primarily due to the island’s isolated geographic location in the Indian Ocean. The diversity includes several families, from Brush-Footed butterflies like the Monarch to various Gossamer-Winged species like the African Grass Blue.
What are the endemic butterflies of Mauritius?
Mauritius has several endemic butterfly species, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth. Notable examples include the Mauritian Friar (Amauris phoedon) and the Mascarene Crow (Euploea euphon). The island’s isolation has allowed these unique species to evolve and thrive in its specific ecological environment.
Where is the best place to see butterflies in Mauritius?
The best place to see a high concentration of butterflies in Mauritius is the La Vanille Nature Reserve. This park features a large insectarium where visitors can observe thousands of insects, including numerous native butterfly species, in a controlled and lush environment designed to replicate their natural habitat.
Are Monarch butterflies found in Mauritius?
Yes, the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is found in Mauritius. This well-known species is part of the Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae) family and is one of the more recognizable butterflies on the island. Its presence contributes to the unique mix of local, regional, and widespread species inhabiting the island.
Why are there relatively few butterfly species in Mauritius?
The relatively low number of butterfly species in Mauritius is attributed to its extreme geographic isolation. Located far from any mainland in the Indian Ocean, the island’s fauna evolved from a limited number of colonizing species, resulting in lower overall diversity compared to continental landmasses of a similar size.
What types of butterfly families live in Mauritius?
Mauritius supports several distinct butterfly families, each with unique characteristics and appearances. The most prominent families represented on the island include:
* Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
* Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
* Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
* Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
What is a common swallowtail butterfly in Mauritius?
The Citrus Swallowtail (Papilio demodocus) is a notable swallowtail butterfly found in Mauritius. As a member of the Papilionidae family, this species is widespread and frequently observed in various habitats across the island. Another swallowtail present is the endemic Papilio manlius, which is considerably rarer.
