Butterflies in Romania
Romania is one of the largest countries in southern Europe and has a wide area consisting of undisturbed forests. This provides suitable habitats for multiple butterfly species like the Large Copper, the Chapman’s Blue, and the Clouded Apollo.
Butterflies in Romania
List of Most Common Butterfly Species of Romania
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Assmann’s Fritillary (Melitaea britomartis)
- Black Ringlet (Erebia melas)
- Blind Ringlet (Erebia pharte)
- Cardinal (Argynnis pandora)
- Chestnut Heath (Coenonympha glycerion)
- Comma (Polygonia c-album)
- Common Brassy Ringlet (Erebia cassioides)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Cranberry Fritillary (Boloria aquilonaris)
- Dark Green Fritillary (Speyeria aglaja)
- Dark Rock Brown (Chazara briseis)
- Delattin’s Grayling (Hipparchia volgensis)
- Dewy Ringlet (Erebia pandrose)
- Dryad (Minois dryas)
- Dusky Meadow Brown (Hyponephele lycaon)
- European Nettle-tree Butterfly (Libythea celtis)
- False Grayling (Arethusana arethusa)
- False Heath Fritillary (Melitaea diamina)
- Freyer’s Fritillary (Melitaea arduinna)
- Freyer’s Purple Emperor (Apatura metis)
- Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia)
- Grayling (Hipparchia semele)
- Great Banded Grayling (Brintesia circe)
- Heath Fritillary (Melitaea athalia)
- Hedge Brown (Pyronia tithonus)
- High Brown Fritillary (Fabriciana adippe)
- Hungarian Glider (Neptis rivularis)
- Iranian Argus (Kirinia climene)
- Large Ringlet (Erebia euryale)
- Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros)
- Large Wall Brown (Lasiommata maera)
- Lesser Marbled Fritillary (Brenthis ino)
- Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura ilia)
- Lesser Spotted Frillitary (Melitaea trivia)
- Map (Araschnia levana)
- Marbled Fritillary (Brenthis daphne)
- Marbled Ringlet (Erebia montanus)
- 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)
- Oriental Meadow Brown (Hipparchia syriaca)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Pales Fritillary (Boloria pales)
- Pallas’ Fritillary (Argynnis laodice)
- Pallas’ Sailer (Neptis sappho)
- Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io)
- Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne)
- Pearly Heath (Coenonympha arcania)
- Phoebe Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe)
- Poplar Admiral (Limenitis populi)
- Purple Emperor (Apatura iris)
- Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
- Rock Grayling (Hipparchia hermione)
- Lattice Brown (Kirinia roxelana)
- Russian Heath (Coenonympha leander)
- Scarce Fritillary (Euphydryas maturna)
- Scotch Argus (Erebia aethiops)
- Shepherd’s Fritillary (Erebia pronoe)
- Silky Ringlet (Erebia gorge)
- Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia)
- Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
- Small Mountain Ringlet (Erebia epiphron)
- Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
- Southern Marbled Skipper (Hyponephele lupinus)
- Southern White Admiral (Limenitis reducta)
- Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
- Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)
- Sudeten Ringlet (Erebia sudetica)
- Titania’s Fritillary (Boloria titania)
- Tree Grayling (Hipparchia statilinus)
- Tullia’s Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia)
- Twin-spot Fritillary (Brenthis hecate)
- Violet Frillitary (Boloria dia)
- Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera)
- White Admiral (Limenitis camilla)
- Woodland Brown (Lopinga achine)
- Woodland Grayling (Hipparchia fagi)
- Woodland Ringlet (Erebia medusa)
- Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis xanthomelas)
- Yellow-spotted Ringlet (Erebia manto)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Adonis Blue (Lysandra bellargus)
- Alcon Blue (Phengaris alcon)
- Amanda’s Blue (Polyommatus amandus)
- Anomalous Blue (Polyommatus admetus)
- Bavius Blue (Pseudophilotes bavius)
- Black Hairstreak (Satyrium pruni)
- Blue Argus (Aricia anteros)
- Blue-spot Hairstreak (Satyrium spini)
- Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)
- Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae)
- Chalkhill Blue (Lysandra coridon)
- Chapman’s Blue (Polyommatus thersites)
- Damon Blue (Polyommatus damon)
- Dorylas Blue (Polyommatus dorylas)
- Dusky Large Blue (Phengaris nausithous)
- Eastern Baton Blue (Pseudophilotes vicrama)
- Eastern Short-tailed Blue (Cupido decolorata)
- 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)
- Iolas Blue (Iolana iolas)
- Lang’s Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous)
- Large Blue (Phengaris arion)
- Large Copper (Lycaena dispar)
- Lesser Fiery Copper (Lycaena thersamon)
- Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus)
- Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)
- Meleager’s Blue (Polyommatus daphnis)
- Northern Brown Argus (Aricia artaxerxes)
- Orion Blue (Scolitantides orion)
- Osiris Blue (Cupido osiris)
- Provençal Short-tailed Blue (Cupido alcetas)
- Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus)
- Purple-edged Copper (Lycaena hippothoe)
- Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron)
- Reverdin’s Blue (Plebejus argyrognomon)
- Scarce Copper (Lycaena virgaureae)
- Scarce Large Blue (Phengaris teleius)
- Short-tailed Blue (Cupido argiades)
- Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus)
- Sloe Hairstreak (Satyrium acaciae)
- Small Blue (Cupido minimus)
- Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Sooty Copper (Lycaena tityrus)
- Violet Copper (Lycaena helle)
- White-letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album)
- Tomares nogelii
- Kretania sephirus
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Berger’s Clouded Yellow (Colias alfacariensis)
- Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi)
- Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae)
- Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)
- Common Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
- Danube Clouded Yellow (Colias myrmidone)
- Dark-veined White (Pieris bryoniae)
- Eastern Bath White (Pontia edusa)
- Eastern Dappled White (Euchloe ausonia)
- Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow (Colias erate)
- Fenton’s Wood White (Leptidea morsei)
- Green-veined White (Pieris napi)
- Lesser Clouded Yellow (Colias chrysotheme)
- Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
- Pale Clouded Yellow (Colias hyale)
- Persian White (Pieris ergane)
- Réal’s Wood White (Leptidea reali)
- Small White, Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Southern Small White (Pieris mannii)
- Wood White (Leptidea sinapis)
- Pieris balcana
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)
- Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
- Apollo (Parnassius apollo)
- Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne)
- Eastern Festoon (Zerynthia cerisy)
- Southern Festoon (Zerynthia polyxena)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)
- Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages)
- Dusky Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus cacaliae)
- European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
- Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae)
- Hungaria Skipper (Spialia orbifer)
- Large Chequered Skipper (Heteropterus morpheus)
- Large Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus alveus)
- Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus)
- Lulworth Skipper (Thymelicus acteon)
- Marbled Skipper (Carcharodus lavatherae)
- Oberthür’s Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus armoricanus)
- Olive Skipper (Pyrgus serratulae)
- Oriental Skipper (Carcharodus orientalis)
- Safflower Skipper (Pyrgus carthami)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma)
- Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)
- Spinose Skipper (Muschampia cribrellum)
- Tessellated Skipper (Muschampia tessellum)
- Tufted Skipper (Carcharodus floccifera)
- Yellow-banded Skipper (Pyrgus sidae)
Some of the best places to see butterflies in Romania include the Carpathian Mountains, the Macin Mountains, and alongside the Danube River.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Romania have such a diverse butterfly population?
Romania’s rich butterfly diversity is primarily due to its vast areas of undisturbed natural habitats, especially its extensive forests. These pristine environments provide the specific host plants, nectar sources, and shelter that a wide variety of species, from the Common Brassy Ringlet to the Hungarian Glider, require to thrive.
What is the most common family of butterflies found in Romania?
The most common and extensively listed family of butterflies in Romania is Nymphalidae, also known as the Brush-Footed butterflies. This large group includes many familiar species such as various Fritillaries, Ringlets, the Mourning Cloak, and the Large Tortoiseshell, all of which inhabit the country’s diverse ecosystems.
Are there any rare or protected butterfly species in Romania?
Yes, Romania is home to several rare and protected butterfly species, such as the Clouded Apollo. The country’s large, undisturbed forests provide a crucial sanctuary for such species, which are often sensitive to habitat changes. Their presence highlights the ecological importance of Romania’s natural landscapes for European biodiversity.
How can you identify a Mourning Cloak butterfly in Romania?
You can identify a Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) by its large size and distinctive dark maroon wings bordered by a bright, cream-colored edge. Just inside this light border is a row of vibrant, iridescent blue spots. This species is a member of the Brush-Footed family found in Romania.
What types of Fritillary butterflies live in Romania?
Romania is home to a wide variety of Fritillary butterflies, which are part of the Nymphalidae family. Some notable species found in the region include:
* Dark Green Fritillary (Speyeria aglaja)
* Heath Fritillary (Melitaea athalia)
* High Brown Fritillary (Fabriciana adippe)
* Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia)
Where are the best habitats to see butterflies in Romania?
The best habitats for observing butterflies in Romania are its large, undisturbed forests and the adjacent meadows. These areas support a high diversity of species by offering abundant food sources and breeding grounds. Mountainous regions within the Carpathians are particularly notable for hosting unique species like the Black Ringlet.
Is the Large Copper butterfly found in Romania?
Yes, the Large Copper butterfly is one of the notable species found in Romania. Its presence, along with others like Chapman’s Blue, is supported by the country’s suitable habitats, including wetlands and damp meadows. These environments provide the specific host plants that the Large Copper’s larvae depend on.
