Butterflies are flying insects known for their colorful wings and graceful movement. Found all over the world, butterflies come in many shapes, sizes, and patterns. Some are bright and bold, while others are soft and delicate. Learning different types of butterflies in English helps students, nature lovers, and ESL learners talk about these beautiful creatures in daily conversation, science class, or while exploring the outdoors. This article lists butterfly names with pictures, grouped by their color, habitat, and special traits.
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List of Butterfly Types with Names in English
This list includes common, tropical, rare, and garden butterflies. Each group is organized to help you build topic-based vocabulary and improve your understanding of butterflies in both nature and English language learning.
Common Types of Butterflies Found Around the World
- Monarch Butterfly
One of the most famous butterflies, the monarch is known for its bright orange wings with black veins and white spots. It migrates thousands of miles across North America each year. - Painted Lady
This butterfly has orange-brown wings with black and white markings. The painted lady is found on every continent except Antarctica. - Red Admiral
The red admiral has dark brown wings with bright red bands and white spots. It’s commonly seen in parks and gardens. - Cabbage White
A small, pale butterfly with white wings and a few black dots. The cabbage white is often seen near vegetable gardens and is one of the most widespread species.
Colorful and Patterned Butterfly Varieties Name
- Blue Morpho
This tropical butterfly has shiny blue wings that reflect light. The blue morpho is found in Central and South American rainforests. - Zebra Swallowtail
The zebra swallowtail has long tails on its wings and black-and-white stripes that look like a zebra. - Peacock Butterfly
Its wings have large circular spots that look like peacock feathers. These eye-spots scare away predators. - Tiger Swallowtail
Bright yellow with black stripes, the tiger swallowtail is one of the most recognized butterflies in North America.
Tropical and Exotic Butterfly Species
- Glasswing Butterfly
The glasswing has transparent wings that make it look almost invisible in flight. It’s native to Central America. - Green-banded Urania
A day-flying tropical moth with butterfly traits. The green-banded urania has bright green and black bands on its wings. - Malachite Butterfly
Named after the green gemstone, the malachite has bold green and brown patterns and is found in Central and South America. - Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing
This large, striking butterfly is black with bright green markings and is the national butterfly of Malaysia.
Endangered and Rare Types of Butterfly
- Palos Verdes Blue
A tiny butterfly native to California. The Palos Verdes Blue is critically endangered and very rare. - Schaus’ Swallowtail
Found in Florida’s tropical forests, this yellow and black butterfly is endangered due to habitat loss. - Saint Francis’ Satyr
A brown butterfly with eye spots, found only in wetlands of North Carolina. It’s one of the rarest in the U.S. - Mission Blue Butterfly
Native to California’s coastal areas, this small blue butterfly is endangered and protected under U.S. law.
Butterflies Names Commonly Found in Gardens
- Small Tortoiseshell
This butterfly has orange, black, and yellow patches with blue spots near the edges of its wings. - Buckeye Butterfly
Its wings feature eye-like spots with orange bands and a mix of brown and purple colors. - Clouded Yellow
A bright yellow butterfly with black borders, commonly seen flying over open fields and gardens. - Common Blue
A small butterfly with soft sky blue wings, often seen fluttering low among flowers and grasses.
Names of Butterflies by Wing Shape and Size
- Large Butterflies
Examples include Blue Morpho, Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing, and Giant Swallowtail, which can have wingspans over 5 inches. - Skipper Butterflies
Small and fast-flying, skippers have thick bodies and short wings that they often hold at strange angles. - Brush-footed Butterflies
This group includes monarchs, admirals, fritillaries, and peacocks. They use only four legs for standing—the front two are short and hairy. - Hairstreaks and Coppers
Tiny butterflies with metallic colors and small tails, often found in gardens and grassy areas.
Butterfly Names for Educational Use
- Butterfly Names for Kids
Simple and friendly names like monarch, painted lady, and cabbage white are great for early learners. - Butterfly Names for ESL Learners
Useful for improving English vocabulary related to animals, colors, and nature. - Scientific vs Common Names of Butterflies
Knowing both can help in school:- Monarch – Danaus plexippus
- Painted Lady – Vanessa cardui
- Common Blue – Polyommatus icarus
FAQs About Types of Butterflies
The cabbage white is found on every continent except Antarctica and is very common in gardens.
The blue morpho and peacock butterfly are known for their bright, eye-catching wings.
Yes, the glasswing butterfly has see-through wings and is very hard to spot in the wild.
The Queen Alexandra’s birdwing is the largest butterfly in the world, though the Rajah Brooke’s birdwing is more commonly known.
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