Butterflies in Norway
Norway is home to several species of butterflies, including the Arctic Fritillary, the Green-veined White, and the Alpine Argus.
Butterflies in Norway
List of Different Butterfly Species of Norway
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Arctic Fritillary (Boloria chariclea)
- Arctic Woodland Ringlet (Erebia polaris)
- Comma (Polygonia c-album)
- Cranberry Fritillary (Boloria aquilonaris)
- Dark Green Fritillary (Speyeria aglaja)
- Dewy Ringlet (Erebia pandrose)
- Dingy Fritillary (Boloria improba)
- Disa Alpine (Erebia disa)
- False Heath Fritillary (Melitaea diamina)
- Freija Fritillary (Boloria freija)
- Frigga Fritillary (Boloria frigga)
- Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia)
- Grayling (Hipparchia semele)
- Great Banded Grayling (Brintesia circe)
- 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)
- Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)
- Meadow Ringlet (Erebia ligea)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Napaea Fritillary (Boloria napaea)
- Niobe Fritillary (Fabriciana niobe)
- Norse Grayling (Oeneis norna)
- Northern Wall Brown (Lasiommata petropolitana)
- Ocellate Bog Fritillary (Boloria eunomia)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io)
- Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne)
- Pearly Heath (Coenonympha arcania)
- Polaris Fritillary (Boloria polaris)
- Poplar Admiral (Limenitis populi)
- Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
- Rock Grayling (Hipparchia hermione)
- Scarce Heath (Coenonympha hero)
- Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia)
- Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
- Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
- Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
- Thor’s Fritillary (Boloria thore)
- Tullia’s Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia)
- Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera)
- White-veined Arctic (Oeneis bore)
- Euphydryas iduna
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Alpine Argus (Agriades orbitulus)
- Amanda’s Blue (Polyommatus amandus)
- Arctic Blue (Agriades aquilo)
- Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae)
- Cranberry Blue (Agriades optilete)
- 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)
- Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)
- Northern Brown Argus (Aricia artaxerxes)
- Orion Blue (Scolitantides orion)
- Purple-edged Copper (Lycaena hippothoe)
- Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus)
- Reverdin’s Blue (Plebejus argyrognomon)
- Scarce Copper (Lycaena virgaureae)
- Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus)
- Small Blue (Cupido minimus)
- Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Violet Copper (Lycaena helle)
- White-letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
- Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi)
- Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)
- Hecla Sulphur (Colias hecla)
- Moorland Clouded Yellow (Colias palaeno)
- Booth’s Sulphur (Colias tyche)
- Common Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
- Réal’s Wood White (Leptidea reali)
- Wood White (Leptidea sinapis)
- Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae)
- Green-veined White (Pieris napi)
- Small White (Pieris rapae)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
- Apollo (Parnassius apollo)
- Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)
- Northern Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus silvicola)
- Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma)
- Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus)
- Large Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus alveus)
- Alpine Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus andromedae)
- Northern Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae)
- Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae)
- European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
There are certain parks in Oslo where one can observe Norwegian butterflies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common brush-footed butterflies found in Norway?
Norway is home to numerous brush-footed butterflies from the Nymphalidae family. Commonly observed species include the Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), and the migratory Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), often found in gardens, meadows, and woodland areas across the country.
Are there specific arctic butterfly species in Norway?
Yes, Norway hosts several butterfly species adapted to arctic and alpine environments. Notable examples from the provided list include the Arctic Fritillary (Boloria chariclea), Jutta Arctic (Oeneis jutta), and the Lapland Ringlet (Erebia embla). These species possess unique adaptations to survive in colder northern climates.
What types of Fritillary butterflies live in Norway?
Norway has a diverse population of Fritillary butterflies, primarily from the Boloria and Melitaea genera. Species you might encounter include the Dark Green Fritillary (Speyeria aglaja), Heath Fritillary (Melitaea athalia), and the Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne), each with distinct wing patterns and preferred habitats.
Can you find the Painted Lady butterfly in Norway?
Yes, the Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) can be found in Norway. This species is a well-known long-distance migrant, not a permanent resident. Its presence and population numbers vary significantly from year to year, depending on migration patterns originating from southern Europe and Africa during warmer months.
How can you identify a Mourning Cloak butterfly in Norway?
The Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) is identified by its large, dark maroon wings that feature a ragged, pale-yellow border. Just inside this border is a row of vibrant, iridescent blue spots. This distinctive coloration makes it one of the more recognizable butterfly species found in Norwegian woodlands.
What is a Norse Grayling butterfly?
The Norse Grayling (Oeneis norna) is a species of arctic butterfly belonging to the Nymphalidae family that is found in Norway. It is adapted to cold, tundra-like environments in the northern parts of the country. Its coloration provides camouflage against the rocky and sparse vegetation of its habitat.
Where are Ringlet butterflies commonly found in Norway?
Ringlet butterflies in Norway, such as the Meadow Ringlet (Erebia ligea) and the Dewy Ringlet (Erebia pandrose), are typically found in specific grassy habitats. They prefer meadows, woodland clearings, and alpine grasslands where their larval food plants are abundant, making these the most likely locations for sightings.
