Butterflies are some of the most beautiful and fascinating insects on Earth. Found on every continent except Antarctica, butterflies come in a stunning array of colors, sizes and shapes. But just how many different breeds of butterflies exist worldwide? Let’s take a closer look at the diversity found within the butterfly world.
Overview of Butterfly Biodiversity
Currently, there are estimated to be somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 different species of butterflies globally. The vast majority of these species can be divided into five main families:
- Papilionidae – The swallowtail butterflies
- Pieridae – The white and sulfur butterflies
- Nymphalidae – The brush-footed butterflies
- Lycaenidae – The gossamer-winged butterflies
- Riodinidae – The metalmark butterflies
Some of the best-known and most iconic butterfly species belong to the Nymphalidae and Papilionidae families. For example, the monarchs and painted ladies are nymphalids, while the swallowtails are in Papilionidae.
Beyond this basic division, there are hundreds of different genera containing anywhere from just a single species to hundreds of species. Some widespread genera with high diversity include the skippers, coppers, blues and hairstreaks.
Geographic Hotspots for Butterfly Biodiversity
The highest diversity of butterflies is concentrated in tropical regions, particularly tropical areas that have significant rainforest habitat. Regions known for their exceptional butterfly diversity include:
- The Amazon Basin
- Central America
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Madagascar
- Southeast Asia
- Papua New Guinea
- Northern Australia
For example, over 800 species have been recorded in Papua New Guinea alone. Meanwhile, the Amazon rainforest contains an estimated 2,500-3,000 species of butterflies.
Countries With the Most Butterfly Species
When looking specifically at countries, the nations of Colombia, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia and Mexico stand out for their remarkable diversity of butterflies:
| Country | Estimated # of Butterfly Species |
|---|---|
| Colombia | 3,642 |
| Brazil | 3,150 |
| Indonesia | 2,500 |
| Australia | 440 |
| Mexico | 2,201 |
The neotropical regions of South America contain the highest butterfly diversity at the country level. Meanwhile, Indonesia stands out for its biodiversity due to its tropical location and thousands of island habitats supporting endemic species.
The United States and Canada
Though not a biodiversity hotspot on the global scale, the United States and Canada are still home to a remarkable variety of butterfly species. Approximately:
- 800 species are found in the continental United States
- 450 species are found in Canada
Southern states bordering the Gulf of Mexico and subtropical Florida have the highest diversity, along with areas west of the Rocky Mountains. Regions like the Appalachian Mountains and the Pacific Northwest also support many localized endemic species.
Europe
Roughly 500 species of butterflies have been recorded from Europe. However, there are significant differences between regions. For example:
- Mediterranean countries like Spain, Italy and Greece have the highest diversity with around 250-300 species.
- Northern Europe has lower diversity with around 60-100 species.
- Mountainous areas tend to have higher diversity.
Notably, Europe has very few endemic butterfly species. Most species originated in Asia or Africa and colonized Europe over geological time.
United Kingdom
The butterfly diversity of Great Britain and Ireland is relatively low compared to continental Europe. Approximately:
- 59 regular breeding species are found in Britain.
- 33 species breed in Ireland.
However, another 30 vagrant species can occasionally be found as migrants or adventive introductions from continental Europe. Species richness declines from south to north, with fewer species in Scotland than southern England.
Endangered Butterfly Species
Due to threats like habitat loss, climate change and use of pesticides, many butterfly species worldwide are now endangered. Some of the most threatened include:
- Monarch – Has declined by over 80% in the past 20 years.
- Island Marble – Less than 10% of its original Hawaiian forest habitat remains.
- Fender’s Blue – Only exists at a few prairie sites in Oregon.
- El Segundo Blue – Coastal dunes habitat in California now over 99% destroyed.
- Mountain Apollo – Endangered by overgrazing and agricultural expansion in Europe.
Dozens of butterfly species have also gone extinct in modern times, including the Xerces Blue of California and several Hawaiian endemics.
Recently Discovered Species
Despite centuries of study, new butterfly species are still occasionally found by scientists. Some recently described species include:
- Glasswing Butterfly – Discovered in Costa Rica in 2007.
- Edith’s Checkerspot – Described in 2008 from the mountains of Mexico.
- Paucithecia – A new genus with 5 new species from the Ecuadorian Andes, described in 2017.
- Opsiphanes cassina – An Amazonian species identified in 2013.
Further discoveries remain likely, especially in biodiversity hotspots like tropical Asia, Africa and South America. Most new species are localized endemics occupying small ranges.
Creating New Hybrids
Beyond discoveries from nature, there are also ongoing efforts by researchers and butterfly enthusiasts to create new artificial hybrid butterfly breeds in captivity. Some popular hybrids include:
- Luna Tigers – Cross between Monarch and Queen butterflies.
- Sparklemarks – Combining African Cabbage White and Clouded Yellow.
- Gold Rim Swallowtails – Hybrid of Eastern Tiger and Anise Swallowtails.
By selectively breeding different species, many new wing patterns and colors can be achieved. However, most hybrids do not occur naturally outside of human intervention.
Conclusion
Current estimates place the total number of butterfly species worldwide somewhere around 18,000. However, many may still remain undiscovered, especially in the biodiversity hotspots of the tropics. Colombia, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia and Mexico have the highest documented diversity nationally. Meanwhile, even cooler regions like the U.S., Canada and Europe still harbor hundreds of unique species.
Sadly, many butterflies now face population declines and the threat of extinction due to habitat loss and other factors. Protecting biodiverse habitats will be crucial for conserving these beautiful insects into the future. Their dazzling wings bring color and joy to backyards and parks around the globe.