How to Identify a Tropical Butterfly

Take photographs of the butterfly while it is stationary. Get as close as possible and take photos from multiple angles if possible. The inside and outside of the butterfly's wing markings can be useful for identification, so try to take a photo of both.

Upload the photos to your computer for better viewing.

Observe the main color of the butterfly. Most butterfly wings contain a majority of a single color with smaller patterns of secondary colors. This is helpful in identifying the species.

Observe the markings on the inside and outside of the butterfly's wings. Some markings are uniform, such as stripes that cover the entire wing, while others cover only a portion of the wing.

Print the photo once you've identified the butterfly and write the species on the photo for future reference if you desire.