Butterflies are grouped into different types based on the characteristics of their wings, bodies, antennae, and behavior. The main groups that butterflies are divided into are:
Butterfly families
There are over 18,000 species of butterflies in the world, divided into about 125 families. Some of the major butterfly families include:
| Swallowtails (Papilionidae) | Large, colorful butterflies with tails on their hindwings. Example: swallowtails, birdwings. |
| Whites and Yellows (Pieridae) | Medium sized butterflies that are predominantly white, yellow or orange. Example: cabbage whites, orange tips. |
| Gossamer Wings (Lycaenidae) | Small, delicate butterflies that are brightly colored with metallic tones. Example: blues, coppers, hairstreaks. |
| Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae) | Butterflies with reduced front legs and four fully developed walking legs. Example: admirals, tortoiseshells, fritillaries. |
| Heliconians and Longwings (Heliconiidae) | Exotic butterflies with long, narrow wings. Example: passion-flower butterflies, heliconians. |
| Skippers (Hesperiidae) | Stout-bodied butterflies with hooked antennae tips and fast, darting flight. Example: skippers, grass skippers. |
These are some of the major butterfly families, which are then further divided into hundreds of genera and species. The family categorization is based on shared physical traits and evolutionary lineage between groups of butterflies.
Life stages
Butterflies also have distinct names based on their different life cycle stages:
| Egg | The tiny oval laid by a female butterfly on or near the host plant. |
| Caterpillar (larva) | The worm-like feeding stage that hatches from the egg. Also called a larva. |
| Pupa | The inactive transitional stage where the caterpillar transforms into the butterfly within a protective chrysalis. |
| Butterfly (imago) | The winged reproductive adult stage that emerges from the pupa. |
Each of these stages has a specific purpose in the butterfly’s metamorphosis and development into maturity. Identifying which life stage a butterfly is in can provide information about what they are doing and how to care for them.
Wing shapes
The different shapes of butterfly wings also have specific descriptive names:
| Simple | Evenly rounded wings with no tails or protrusions. |
| Tailed | Hindwings have elongated extensions called tails. |
| Swallowtail | Prominent tails resemble a swallow’s tail. |
| Angled | Irregular jagged edges give the wings an angular look. |
| Scalloped | Wing edges have a wavy scalloped appearance. |
The wing shapes help differentiate groups and families of butterflies and aid in identification. They also contribute to flight aerodynamics.
Wing patterns
Butterfly wings display stunning colors and patterns:
| Single colored | Wings are one solid color without patterns. |
| Spotted | Small distinct dots cover parts of the wings. |
| Striped | Lines run across parts of the wings. |
| Windowed | Transparent “windows” are present on the wings. |
| Tailed | Tails project from the hindwings. |
| Grained | Wings have a rough, grainy texture. |
These visual characteristics help butterflies communicate, attract mates, camouflage and warn off predators. They make butterfly identification much easier as well.
Migration patterns
Butterflies that migrate long distances have descriptive names reflecting their seasonal movements:
| Spring/summer butterflies | Butterflies that emerge early in spring and live during the warm months. |
| Autumn/overwintering butterflies | Butterflies that emerge in late summer to fall and overwinter as adults or pupae. |
| Successive brooded | Multiple generations in warm climates with year-round breeding seasons. |
| Monsoonal butterflies | Emerge with monsoon rains in tropical regions. |
| Migratory butterflies | Travel over long distances between breeding areas. |
Learning the migration patterns helps predict when and where certain butterflies will appear throughout the year.
Habitats
Butterfly names may also describe the habitat where they are found:
| Woodland | Forest and woodland areas. |
| Grassland | Meadows, fields, grassy plains. |
| Desert | Arid desert regions. |
| Coastal | Coastlines, beach areas. |
| Wetland | Marshes, swamps and damp environments. |
| Mountain | High altitude mountainous regions. |
| Urban | Cities, suburbs, gardens and parks. |
Knowing the habitat can help locate and identify butterfly species. Some are generalized while others need very specialized environments.
Behavior
Butterfly names may reflect interesting behaviors or adaptations:
| Egg-mimic | Wings resemble eggs of other species to reduce predation. |
| Clearwing | Translucent wings blend into the vegetation. |
| Leafwing | Wings shaped and colored like leaves as camouflage. |
| Metalmark | Wings have metallic-looking spots and markings. |
| Cracker | Makes a cracking sound when flapping wings. |
| Owl | Eye patterns on the wings resemble an owl’s face. |
Understanding behaviors provides insight into the butterfly’s ecology and life history traits.
Host plants
Some butterflies are named for the host plants their caterpillars feed on:
| Milkweed butterfly | Feeds on milkweed plants. |
| Spicebush swallowtail | Caterpillar eats spicebush leaves. |
| Monarch butterfly | Eats milkweed exclusively. |
| Cabbage white | Caterpillar feeds on cabbage family plants. |
| Pepper-and-salt skipper | Larvae eat peppergrass and saltbrush. |
Knowing the host plant helps locate caterpillars and identify butterflies. Many are dependent on one or a few specific plant species.
Conclusion
In summary, there are many descriptive names used to categorize the diversity of butterflies around the world. Scientific family names classify their evolutionary relationships. Life stage names identify their metamorphosis phases. Wing characteristics help differentiate the numerous species. Behavioral names reflect adaptations and ecology. Understanding these butterfly names provides a useful tool for identification, research and conservation. With knowledge of their naming systems, even casual observers can learn to recognize and appreciate these colorful insects fluttering through the scenery.
