Identification
Working out what species a particular butterfly is can be very difficult. This process is hampered by some species being very similar to each other. These pages are an attempt to aid the process to enable identification by first family, then genus and finally species. It is by no means reliable or complete, but it is a start! A complete list of species photographed in these pages is available here.
- If you see your species pictured clicking on the image will take you directly to further information on that particular butterfly.
- If your butterfly is similar, or you think it might be related, then click on the title on the left of the table for further options.
Nymphalidae
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Emperors, admirals, tortoiseshells (24 species) Generally of relatively large size, includes some common species likely to be seen in urban areas. |
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| Red admiral | Small tortoiseshell | Peacock | Comma | |
| Fritillaries
(47 species)
Generally medium to large, coloured orange with black bars and patterns of spots. |
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| Dark green fritillary | Marsh fritillary |
Pieridae
| Whites (50 species) |  |
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| Clouded yellow | Orange tip | Green-veined white |
Lycaenidae
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Hairstreaks (14 species)
Small fast flying, often with characteristic 'hairstreak' and 'tails' |
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| Green hairstreak | Purple hairstreak | False ilex hairstreak | ||
| Coppers (12
species)
Small to medium size, fast flying, bright, copper colour often with purple. |
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| Small copper | ||||
| Blues (89 species)
Small size, blue to black or brown colouration. Orange underside markings common. |
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| Mazarine blue | Chalk-hill blue | Brown argus | Common blue |
Satyridae
| Browns
All sizes in a large variety of patterns and colours. Predominantly orange to brown to black, often with eye spots. |
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| Marbled white | Southern gatekeeper | Meadow brown | Wall brown | |
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| Cyprus grayling | Marbled ringlet |
Papilionidae
| Swallowtails, Apollos and festoons
Large size with bright colours, often with tails |
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| Swallowtail | Apollo |
Hesperiidae
| Skippers
Small with fast 'buzzing' flight |
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| Grizzled skipper | Essex skipper |