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 

Emperors, admirals, tortoiseshells (24 species) Generally of relatively large size, includes some common species likely to be seen in urban areas.
	Red admiral	Small tortoiseshell	Peacock	Comma
Fritillaries (47 species) Generally medium to large, coloured orange with black bars and patterns of spots.
	Dark green fritillary	Marsh fritillary

Pieridae

Whites (50 species) Medium sized, mainly white or yellow in colour.
	Clouded yellow	Orange tip	Green-veined white

Lycaenidae

Hairstreaks (14 species) Small fast flying, often with characteristic 'hairstreak' and 'tails'
	Green hairstreak	Purple hairstreak	False ilex hairstreak
Coppers (12 species) Small to medium size, fast flying, bright, copper colour often with purple.
	Small copper
Blues (89 species) Small size, blue to black or brown colouration. Orange underside markings common.
	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.
	Marbled white	Southern gatekeeper	Meadow brown	Wall brown
	Cyprus grayling	Marbled ringlet

Papilionidae

Swallowtails, Apollos and festoons Large size with bright colours, often with tails
	Swallowtail	Apollo

Hesperiidae

Skippers Small with fast 'buzzing' flight
	Grizzled skipper	Essex skipper