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How to Identify the Species of a Butterfly

Butterflies may be small but their carefree flight sparks our imagination. The metamorphosis, when a caterpillar transforms itself and emerges as beautiful butterfly, fascinates young and old. Butterflies are flying insects with scale-covered wings. There are approximately 15,000 species of butterflies and most species can be found in the tropics. More than 6,000 species can be found in South America. In North America, there are about 700 species. Species are defined as two animals from the same order who cannot mate and produce viable fertile offspring.

Things You'll Need

Binoculars
Camera
Sketchbook
Books
Internet

Instructions

- 1
  Use binoculars to study the way the butterfly is flying. Approximately one third of the species in North America belong the Hesperiidae family, commonly known as "skippers". Their flight is rapid and erratic.
- 2
  Photograph the butterfly while it is resting. Write down information about the color. Check websites such as the Butterfly WebSite to find butterflies categorized by color.
- 3
  Look for eyespots and distinctive patterns. The eyespots of some species are on their underwings, which are seen when the butterfly is resting with its wings over its back. Peruse websites such as CirrusImage.com to see close-up photos of eyespots.
- 4
  Compare the size of the body to the wing span. Skippers have a large body and their wings are small. Other species such as swallowtail, family Papilionidae, have large wings. Search sites as CarolinaNature to see photos of different species of butterflies, which are listed according to common species found in North America.
- 5
  Write down a description of the butterfly's antennae. Brushfoots, family Nymphalidae, have large knobs at the tips of their antennae. Their feelers or palpi are furry.
- 6
  Examine the butterfly's legs. Brushfoots and gossamer wings, family Lycaenidae family, have reduced fore legs. Many male species also have short forelegs.
- 7
  Check books and online sites for listing of common species in your area. On the online site ButterfliesAndMoths.org you can use a regional checklist of butterfly species. Select country, region and county and you will get a list of different butterfly species in your area. Research the characteristics and compare them to the butterfly you are trying to identify.
- 8
  Search for less common species that may visit your area. There are variations within a species and colors and sizes can differ.

Insects & Science