List of butterflies of India

Krishna peacock (Papilio krishna). Voted as the national butterfly of India as well as the most beautiful Indian butterfly.[a][1]

The following is a list of the butterflies of India.

India has extremely diverse terrain, climate and vegetation, which comprises extremes of heat and cold, desert and jungle, of low-lying plains and the highest mountains, of dryness and dampness, islands and continental areas, widely varying flora, and sharply marked seasons. India forms a large part of the Indomalayan biogeographical zone; many of the floral and faunal forms show Malayan affinities with some taxa being unique to the Indian region. In addition, India hosts three of the world's biodiversity hotspots: the Western Ghats, the Himalayas, and the hilly ranges bordering India and Myanmar, each having numerous endemic species. Accordingly, India's diverse and varied fauna include a rich variety of butterflies and moths. Brigadier William Harry Evans recorded approximately 1439 species of butterfly from British India, including Ceylon and Burma.[2] After 1947, the rise of several new nations led to a reduction of the area forming part of India proper, and the number of species has been noted to be an estimated 1403 species.[3][4][5]

Many papers and books[6][7] have been written on Indian butterflies, some of the most famous are the Synoptic Catalogue of the Butterflies of India[3] and The Book of Indian Butterflies[8].

Here is a key to the terms used in this list-

  1. Endemic: Endemic species are species found only in a particular region, in this case, India.
  2. Schedule 1: This is used on all species under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act (Amendment 2022).[9]
  3. Schedule 2: This is used on all species under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act (Amendment 2022).[9]

History of studies on butterflies in India

The first book to deal with Indian butterflies was The Butterflies of India, Burmah and Ceylon by Lionel de Nicéville and G. F. L. Marshall, followed shortly after with Lepidoptera Indica by Frederic Moore.

From the 1920 to the 1960s, two major books on Indian butterflies were published. These were The Identification of Indian Butterflies by William Harry Evans[2] and Butterflies of the Indian Region by Mark Alexander Wynter-Blyth.[5]

In recent times, field guides like Butterflies of India by Isaac Kehimkar and A Naturalist's Guide to the Butterflies of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka by Peter Smetacek helped in spreading popularity on butterfly watching and identification.

The Synoptic Catalogue of the Butterflies of India by R. K. Varshney and Peter Smetacek provided the first complete list of the butterflies found in India.

Papilionidae

The Papilionidae or the swallowtail butterflies are a family of about 550 species. Many species show sexual dimorphism. Males of this family are attracted to wet mud (this behavior is called mud-puddling). The swallowtail butterflies have three well-developed pairs of legs and the abdomen is not covered by the wing. There are 96 species of this family found in India.

Papilioninae

Malabar rose, Pachliopta pandiyana
Southern birdwing, Troides minos

Troidini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Common clubtail Losaria doubledayi 2 Schedule 1
Andaman clubtail Losaria rhodifer Endemic
Common rose Pachliopta aristolochiae 5
Crimson rose Pachliopta hector Schedule 2
Malabar rose Pachliopta pandiyana Endemic
Golden birdwing Troides aeacus 1 Schedule 2
Common birdwing Troides helena 3
Southern birdwing Troides minos Schedule 2, Endemic
Lesser batwing Atrophaneura aidoneus
Common batwing Atrophaneura astorion 1
Black windmill Byasa crassipes Schedule 1
Great windmill Byasa dasarada 2
Rose windmill Byasa latreillei 2 Schedule 2
Nevill's windmill Byasa nevilli Schedule 1
Chinese windmill Byasa plutonius 2 Schedule 1, Schedule 2
De Nicéville's windmill Byasa polla Schedule 1
Common windmill Byasa polyeuctes 2
Malabar banded swallowtail, Papilio liomedon
Common yellow swallowtail, Papilio machaon
Yellow gorgon, Meandrusa payeni
Tawny mime, Papilio agestor

Papilionini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Grand mormon Papilio agenor 3 Schedule 2
Tawny mime Papilio agestor 2
Redbreast Papilio alcmenor 1
Blue peacock Papilio arcturus 2
Chinese peacock Papilio bianor 2
Tailed redbreast Papilio bootes 2 Schedule 2
Malabar banded peacock Papilio buddha Schedule 2, Endemic
Common raven Papilio castor 2
Yellow helen Papilio chaon 1
Common mime Papilio clytia 2 Schedule 2
Common banded peacock Papilio crino Schedule 2
Indian helen Papilio daksha 1
Lime swallowtail Papilio demoleus 1
Malabar raven Papilio dravidarum Endemic
Yellow-crested spangle Papilio elephenor Schedule 1
Lesser mime Papilio epycides 1 Schedule 2
Everest yellow swallowtail Papilio everesti 1
Red helen Papilio helenus 1
Western tailed redbreast Papilio janaka
Krishna peacock Papilio krishna 2 Schedule 1
Malabar banded swallowtail Papilio liomedon Schedule 1, Endemic
Common yellow swallowtail Papilio machaon 3 Schedule 2
Great mormon Papilio memnon 1
Noble's helen Papilio noblei
Green-banded peacock Papilio palinurus 1 A vagrant to West Bengal
Great blue mime Papilio paradoxa 1 Schedule 2
Paris peacock Papilio paris 2
Common peacock Papilio polyctor
Common mormon Papilio polytes 3
Blue helen Papilio prexaspes 1
Spangle Papilio protenor 1
Blue-striped mime Papilio slateri 1 Schedule 2
Eastern yellow swallowtail Papilio verityi
Chinese yellow swallowtail Papilio xuthus
Brown gorgon Meandrusa lachinus 1 Schedule 2
Yellow gorgon Meandrusa payeni 1
Tailed jay, Graphium agamemnon
Spot swordtail, Graphium nomius
Common bluebottle, Graphium sarpedon

Leptocircini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Tailed jay Graphium agamemnon 5
Fourbar swallowtail Graphium agetes 1 Schedule 2
Scarce jay Graphium albociliatus Schedule 2
Fivebar swordtail Graphium antiphates 2
Chain swordtail Graphium aristeus 1 Schedule 2
Spotted jay[b] Graphium arycles Schedule 2
Veined jay Graphium chironides 1
Glassy bluebottle Graphium cloanthus 1 Schedule 2
Common jay Graphium doson 2
Andaman swordtail Graphium epaminondas Endemic
Sixbar swordtail Graphium eurous 2
Great jay Graphium eurypylus 2 Schedule 2
Western spectacle swordtail Graphium garhwalica
Lesser zebra Graphium macareus 2
Spotted zebra Graphium megarus 1 Schedule 2
Spot swordtail Graphium nomius 2
Indian spectacle swordtail Graphium paphus
Common bluebottle Graphium sarpedon 1
Cryptic bluebottle Graphium septentrionicolus
Southern bluebottle Graphium teredon
Great zebra Graphium xenocles 2
White dragontail Lamproptera curius 1
Green dragontail Lamproptera meges 1 Schedule 2
Kaiser-i-hind, Teinopalpus imperialis

Teinopalpini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Kaiser-i-hind Teinopalpus imperialis 2 Schedule 1

Parnassiinae

Sericinini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Bhutan glory Bhutanitis lidderdalii 1 Schedule 1
Ludlow's Bhutan glory Bhutanitis ludlowi Schedule 1
Common blue apollo, Parnassius hardwickii
Scarce red apollo, Parnassius actius
Common red apollo, Parnassius epaphus

Parnassiini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Varnished apollo Parnassius acco 4 Schedule 1
Dusky apollo Parnassius acdestis 4
Scarce red apollo Parnassius actius 3
Noble apollo Parnassius augustus
Regal apollo Parnassius charltonius 9 Schedule 2
Common red apollo Parnassius epaphus 9 Schedule 2
Common blue apollo Parnassius hardwickii
Karakoram banded apollo Parnassius hunza 2
Keeled apollo Parnassius jacquemontii 5 Schedule 2
Himalayan banded apollo Parnassius kumaonensis 2 P. nandadevinensis is merged here.
Stately apollo Parnassius loxias 1
Royal apollo Parnassius maharaja 1
Scarce banded apollo Parnassius mamaievi 3
Black-edged apollo Parnassius simo 7
Greater banded apollo Parnassius stenosemus 6
Lesser banded apollo Parnassis stoliczkanus 5 Schedule 1
Large keeled apollo Parnassius tianshanica 1

Hesperiidae

The Hesperiidae or the skipper butterflies are a family of about 3500 species. Many members of this family are hard to distinguish from each other and require dissection to properly identify. They are called "skippers" due to their quick and darting flights. There are 292 species of this family found in India.

Brown awl, Badamia exclamationis
Common orange awlet, Burara jaina
Common banded awl, Hasora chromus

Coeliadinae

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Brown awl Badamia exclamationis
Indian awlking Choaspes benjaminii 2
Hooded awlking Choaspes furcata
Branded awlking Choaspes stigmata 1
Similar awlking Choaspes xanthopogon 1
Slate awlet Bibasis mahintha
Orange-tailed awlet Bibasis sena 1 Schedule 2
Small green awlet Burara amara
Plain orange awlet Burara anadi
Great orange awlet Burara etelka
Pale green awlet Burara gomata 2
Orange striped awlet Burara harisa 2
Common orange awlet Burara jaina 3
Branded orange awlet Burara oedipodea 1
Green awlet Burara vasutana
Slate awl Hasora anura 1
Common awl Hasora badra 1
Common banded awl Hasora chromus 1
Purple awl Hasora danda
Large banded awl Hasora khoda 1
Violet awl Hasora leucospila
Green awl Hasora salanga
Yellow banded awl Hasora schoenherr 1
White-banded awl Hasora taminatus 4
Plain banded awl Hasora vitta 2

Eudaminae

Eudamini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Marbled flat Lobocla liliana 3
Common small flat, Sarangesa dasahara
Tamil spotted flat, Celaenorrhinus ruficornis

Tagiadinae

Malabar flat, Celaenorrhinus ambareesa
Mussoorie spotted flat, Celaenorrhinus pero

Celaenorrhinini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Common small flat Sarangesa dasahara 4
Spotted small flat Sarangesa purendra 4
Fulvous pied flat Pseudocoladenia dan
Indented pied flat Pseudocoladenia fabia
West Himalayan pied flat Pseudocoladenia fatih
Sikkim pied flat Pseudocoladenia fatua
Naga pied flat Pseudocoladenia festa
Khasi yellow-banded flat Celaenorrhinus affinis
Malabar flat Celaenorrhinus ambareesa Endemic
Andaman yellow-banded flat Celaenorrhinus andamanicus 2
White-banded flat Celaenorrhinus asmara 1
Large-streaked flat Celaenorrhinus aspersa 1
Scarce banded flat Celaenorrhinus badia
Himalayan yellow-banded flat Celaenorrhinus dhanada 1
Buxa flat Celaenorrhinus flavocincta
Common spotted flat Celaenorrhinus leucocera
Evans' spotted flat Celaenorrhinus morena
Himalayan spotted flat Celaenorrhinus munda 2
Small banded flat Celaenorrhinus nigricans 1
Large-spotted flat Celaenorrhinus patula
Mussoorie spotted flat Celaenorrhinus pero 2
De Nicéville's spotted flat Celaenorrhinus plagifera
Multi-spotted flat Celaenorrhinus pulomaya 1
Bengal spotted flat Celaenorrhinus putra 1
Double-spotted flat Celaenorrhinus pyrrha
Tytler's multi-spotted flat Celaenorrhinus ratna 2
Tamil spotted flat Celaenorrhinus ruficornis 1
Moore's spotted flat Celaenorrhinus sumitra
Tibet flat Celaenorrhinus tibetana
Swinhoe's flat Celaenorrhinus zea
Dark yellow-banded flat Aurivittia aurivittia
Golden angle, Abaratha ransonnetti
Black angle, Tapena thwaitesi
Large snow flat, Tagiades gana
Tricolor pied flat, Coladenia indrani
Large white flat, Satarupa gopala

Tagiadini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Spotted angle Abaratha agama 1
Alida angle Abaratha alida 3
Chestnut angle Abaratha angulata 1
Golden angle Abaratha ransonnetii 1
Snowy angle Darpa dealbata
Hairy angle Darpa hanria
Striated angle Darpa striata 1
Zigzag flat Odina decoratus
Tiny angle Tapena miniscula
Multispot angle Tapena multiguttata
Black angle Tapena thwaitesi 1
Tawny angle Tapena vasava 1
Common yellow-breast flat Gerosis bhagava 2
Dusky yellow-breast flat Gerosis phisara 1
White yellow-breast flat Gerosis sinica 1
Striped snow flat Tagiades cohaerens 1
Large snow flat Tagiades gana 3
Common snow flat Tagiades japetus 6
Water snow flat Tagiades litigiosa 2
Spotted snow flat Tagiades menaka 1
Straight snow flat Tagiades parra 1
Striped dawnfly Capila jayadeva
Lidderdale's dawnfly Capila lidderdali
Fringed dawnfly Capila penicillatum 1
Fulvous dawnfly Capila phanaeus 2
White dawnfly Capila pieridoides 1
Pale striped dawnfly Capila zennara
Brown pied flat Coladenia agni 1
Elwes' pied flat Coladenia agnioides
Tricolor pied flat Coladenia indrani 3
Grey pied flat Coladenia laxmi 1
Large-spot pied flat Coladenia pinsbukana 1
Large white flat Satarupa gopala 1
Splendid white flat Satarupa splendens
Tytler's white flat Satarupa zulla 1
Himalayan white flat Seseria dohertyi 1
Sikkim white flat Seseria sambara 1
Crenulate orange flat Pintara tabrica
Yellow flat Mooreana trichoneura 1
Velvet flat Charmion ficulnea 1
Plain marbled skipper, Carcharodus alceae

Pyrginae

Indian skipper, Spialia galba

Carcharodini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Desert skipper Spialia doris 1
Indian skipper Spialia galba 1
Greenish skipper Spialia orbifer 1
Brick-red skipper Spialia rubicunda
Zebra skipper Spialia zebra 1
African grizzled skipper Gomalia elma 1
Plain marbled skipper Carcharodus alceae 1
Tufted marbled skipper Carcharodus dravira

Pyrgini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Mountain skipper Pyrgus alpinus 1
Kashmir skipper Pyrgus cashmirensis 2
Darwaz skipper Pyrgus darwazicus 1

Erynnini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Inky duskywing Erynnis pathan
Frosted duskywing Erynnis pelias 1
Olive flat, Chamunda chamunda

Chamundinae

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Olive flat Chamunda chamunda

Heteropterinae

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Orange-and-silver hopper Carterocephalus avanti 1

Barcinae

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Giant hopper Apostictopterus fuliginosus 1

Hesperiinae

Atkinson's bob, Arnetta atkinsoni
Moore's ace, Halpe porus
Madras ace, Thoressa honorei
Tiger hopper, Ampittia subvittatus
Chocolate-bordered flitter, Zographetus dzonguensis
Veined palmer, Hidari bhawani

Aeromachini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Nonsuch palmer Creteus cyrina 1
Atkinson's bob Arnetta atkinsoni
Coorg forest bob Arnetta mercara
Vindhyan bob Arnetta vindhiana 2
Graham's ace Sovia grahami 1
Lucas' ace Sovia lucasii 1
Manipur ace Sovia malta Endemic (only known from Manipur)
Chequered ace Sovia separata 1
Dingy scrub hopper Aeromachus dubius 2
Grey scrub hopper Aeromachus jhora 2
Blue-spotted scrub hopper Aeromachus kali
Pygmy scrub hopper Aeromachus pygmaeus
Veined scrub hopper Aeromachus stigmata 2
Hedge hopper Baracus vittatus 4
Overlapped ace Halpe arcuata
Gold-spotted ace Halpe aucma 1
Elwes' ace Halpe filda
Tavoy sulphur ace Halpe flava
Pale-marked ace Halpe hauxwelli
Indian ace Halpe homolea 1 Schedule 2
Knyvett's ace Halpe knyvetti
Plain ace Halpe kumara 1
Tenasserim ace Halpe kusala
Molta ace Halpe molta
Moore's ace Halpe porus
Sikkim ace Halpe sikkima
Confusing ace Halpe wantona
Banded ace Halpe zema 1
Long-banded ace Halpe zola
Banded straw ace Pithauria marsena
Dark straw ace Pithauria murdava
Light straw ace Pithauria stramineipennis 1
Fuscous ace Pedesta fusca 1
Olive ace Pedesta gupta 1
Largespot plain ace Pedesta hyrie
Mussoorie bush bob Pedesta masuriensis 1
Naga bush bob Pedesta panda
Brown bush bob Pedesta pandita
Garwhal ace Thoressa aina
Southern spotted ace Thoressa astigmata
Northern spotted ace Thoressa cerata
Evershed's ace Thoressa evershedi
Madras ace Thoressa honorei
Mason's ace Thoressa masoni
Tamil ace Thoressa sitala Endemic
Tufted ace Sebastonyma dolopia
Bush hopper Ampittia dioscorides 1
Scarce bush hopper Ampittia maroides
Tiger hopper Ampittia subvittatus 1
White-branded ace Halpemorpha hyrtacus Endemic
Veined dart Actinor radians
Wax dart Cupitha purreea
Chocolate-bordered flitter Zographetus dzonguensis
Sikkim flitter Zographetus flavalum
Purple-spotted flitter Zographetus ogygia
Small flitter Zographetus rama
Purple-and-gold flitter Zographetus satwa
Desert torpedo Eogenes alcides 1
Leslie's torpedo Eogenes lesliei
Forest hopper Astictopterus jama 1
Veined palmer Hidari bhawani
Chequered darter, Hesperia comma

Hesperiini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Chequered darter Hesperia comma 1
Himalayan darter Ochlodes brahma
Assam darter Ochlodes siva 1
Sub-hyaline darter Ochlodes subhyalina 1
Kanara swift, Caltoris canaraica
Paintbrush swift, Baoris farri
Small-branded swift, Pelopidas mathias
Rice swift, Borbo cinnara

Baorini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Himalayan swift Zenonoida discreta 1
Yellow-spot swift Zenonoida eltola 1
Yellow-fringed swift Caltoris aurociliata
Extra-spot swift Caltoris bromus 1
Dark-branded swift Caltoris brunnea 1
Colon swift Caltoris cahira 2
Kanara swift Caltoris canaraica
Arunachal swift Caltoris chimdroa
Confusing swift Caltoris confusa
Full-stop swift Caltoris cormasa
Blank swift Caltoris kumara 2
Philippine swift Caltoris philippina 1
Tufted swift Caltoris plebeia
Sirius swift Caltoris sirius 1
Purple swift Tulsia tulsi 1
Paintbrush swift Baoris farri 2
Figure of eight swift Baoris pagana
Black paintbrush swift Baoris penicillata 1
Obscure-branded swift Pelopidas agna 1
Great swift Pelopidas assamensis
Conjoined swift Pelopidas conjuncta 2
Small-branded swift Pelopidas mathias 1
Large-branded swift Pelopidas sinensis
Moore's swift Pelopidas subochracea 1
Pale small-branded swift Pelopidas thrax 2
Beavan's swift Pseudoborbo bevani
Dingy swift Gegenes nostrodamus
Pygmy swift Gegenes pumilio 1
Rice swift Borbo cinnara
Contiguous swift Polytremis lubricans 1
Baby swift Polytremis minuta
Common wight Iton semamora 1
Continental swift Parnara ganga
Straight swift Parnara guttatus 1
Oriental straight swift Parnara bada
Coon, Psolos fuligo

Psolosini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Dark velvet bob Koruthaialos butleri
Narrow-banded velvet bob Koruthaialos rubecula 1
Bright red velvet bob Koruthaialos sindu 1
Pale demon Koruthaialos swinhoei 1
Coon Psolos fuligo 1
Chestnut bob, Iambrix salsala

Ismini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Assam lancer Isma bonota
Chestnut bob Iambrix salsala 2
Grass demon, Ancistroides folus

Notocryptini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Chocolate demon Tamela nigrita 1
Restricted demon Ancistroides curvifascia 1
Spotted demon Ancistroides feisthamelii 1
Grass demon Ancistroides folus
Common banded demon Ancistroides paralysos 3
Giant redeye, Gangara thyrsis
Indian palm bob, Suastus gremius
Forest bob, Scobura cephala
Grass bob, Suada swerga

Erionotini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Banded redeye Gangara lebadea 2
Giant redeye Gangara thyrsis 1
Small palm redeye Erionota acroleuca 2
Palm redeye Erionota thrax 1
Banana skipper Erionota torus
Redeye palmer Zela zeus 1
Yellowband palmer Acerbas sarala 1
Common redeye Matapa aria
Fringed redeye Matapa cresta
Grey-brand redeye Matapa druna
Purple redeye Matapa purpurascens
Black-veined redeye Matapa sasivarna
Hoary palmer Unkana ambasa 1
Assamese yellow-vein lancer Pyroneura margharita 1
Red-vein lancer Pyroneura niasana 1
Indian palm bob Suastus gremius 1
Small palm bob Suastus minutus 3
Purple lancer Salanoemia fuscicornis
Spotted yellow lancer Salanoemia noemi
Maculate lancer Salanoemia sala
Yellow-streaked lancer Salanoemia tavoyana 1
Silver-spotted lancer Plastingia naga
Green-striped palmer Pirdana hyela 1
Plain green palmer Pirdana distanti 1
Tree flitter Hyarotis adrastus 1
Brush flitter Hyarotis microstictum 2
Golden flitter Quedara basiflava
Dubious flitter Quedara monteithi 1
Forest bob Scobura cephala
Large forest bob Scobura cephaloides 1
Sinhoe's forest bob Scobura isota
Assam forest bob Scobura parawoolletti
Malay forest bob Scobura phiditia
Tytler's forest bob Scobura tytleri
Grass bob Suada swerga 1
Spotted redeye Pudicitia pholus
Common dartlet, Oriens gola
Indian dart, Potanthus pseudomaesa
Dark palm dart, Telicota bambusae
Common palm dart, Telicota colon

Taractrocerini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Tamil dartlet Oriens concinna Endemic
Common dartlet Oriens gola 2
Ceylon dartlet Oriens goloides
Malay dartlet Oriens paragola
Tamil grass dart Taractrocera ceramas 5
Himalayan grass dart Taractrocera danna
Common grass dart Taractrocera maevius 1
Chinese dart Potanthus confucius 3
Himalayan dart Potanthus dara
Japanese dart Potanthus flava 1
Sumatran dart Potanthus ganda 1
Burmese dart Potanthus juno
Forest dart Potanthus lydia 1
Sikkim dart Potanthus mara 1
Narrow bi-dent dart Potanthus mingo 1
Brandless dart Potanthus nesta 1
Pale dart Potanthus pallida
Palni dart Potanthus palnia 1
Yellow dart Potanthus pava 1
Indian dart Potanthus pseudomaesa 2
Branded dart Potanthus rectifasciatus
Large dart Potanthus serina 1
Yellow-and-black dart Potanthus sita
Broad bi-dent dart Potanthus trachala 2
Pale palm dart Telicota augias 1
Dark palm dart Telicota bambusae 1
Large palm dart Telicota besta
Common palm dart Telicota colon 3
Evans' palm dart Telicota linna
Narrow-banded palm dart Telicota ohara 1
Plain palm dart Cephrenes acalle 2

Pieridae

The Pieridae or the white, yellow and sulphur butterflies are a family of about 1050 species. Most members of the family are white or yellow in colour. Butterflies of this family are attracted to wet mud. There are 99 species of this family found in India.

Lemon emigrant, Catopsilia pomona
Tree yellow, Gandaca harina
Three-spotted grass yellow, Eurema blanda
Nilgiri clouded yellow, Colias nilagiriensis

Coliadinae

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Lemon emigrant Catopsilia pomona 1
Mottled emigrant Catopsilia pyranthe 1
Orange emigrant Catopsilia scylla 1
Tailed sulphur Dercas verhuelli 1
Plain sulphur Dercas lycorias 1 Schedule 2
Tibet brimstone Gonepteryx amintha 1
Karakoram brimstone Gonepteryx chitralensis
Lesser brimstone Gonepteryx mahaguru 1
Himalayan brimstone Gonepteryx nepalensis 2
Tree yellow Gandaca harina 3
One-spot grass yellow Eurema andersonii 3 Schedule 2
Three-spotted grass yellow Eurema blanda 4
Small grass yellow Eurema drona 1
Common grass yellow Eurema hecabe 1
Spotless grass yellow Eurema laeta 2
Nilgiri grass yellow Eurema nilgiriensis Endemic
Scarce grass yellow Eurema simulatrix 1
Green clouded yellow Colias alpherakii 1
Everest clouded yellow Colias berylla 1
Pamir clouded yellow Colias cocandica 1
Dwarf clouded yellow Colias dubia
Fiery clouded yellow Colias eogene 2 Schedule 2
Pale clouded yellow Colias erate
Dark clouded yellow Colias fieldi 1
Ladakh clouded yellow Colias ladakensis Schedule 2
Glaucous clouded yellow Colias leechi 1
Marcopolo's clouded yellow Colias marcopolo 1
Nilgiri clouded yellow Colias nilagiriensis Endemic
Fawcett's clouded yellow Colias nina 1
Orange clouded yellow Colias stoliczkana 2 Schedule 2
Lemon clouded yellow Colias thrasibulus 1
Broad-bordered clouded yellow Colias wiskotti 1

Pierinae

Psyche, Leptosia nina

Leptosiaini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Psyche Leptosia nina 2
Great blackvein, Aporia agathon
Indian cabbage white, Pieris canidia
Common albatross, Appias albina
Painted sawtooth, Prioneris sita
Common gull, Cepora nerissa
Common jezebel, Delias eucharis

Pierini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Great blackvein Aporia agathon 3
Baluchi blackvein Aporia belucha 1
Bhutan blackvein Aporia harrietae 1 Schedule 2
Naga blackvein Aporia japfuensis
Dusky blackvein Aporia nabellica 3 Schedule 2
Mishmi blackvein Aporia omotoi
Thibet blackvein Aporia peloria 1
Himalayan blackvein Aporia soracta 2
Himalayan white Pieris ajaka 2
Large cabbage white Pieris brassicae 1
Indian cabbage white Pieris canidia 2
Chumbi white Pieris chumbiensis 2
Kashmir white Pieris deota Schedule 2
Mizo white Pieris erutae 1
Bhutan white Pieris extensa 1
Green-banded white Pieris krueperi 1 Schedule 1
Small cabbage white Pieris rapae 1
Cryptic white Pieris tadokoroi
Naga white Talbotia naganum 1
Butler's white Pontia butleri 2 Schedule 1
Lofty bath white Pontia callidice 1
Lesser bath white Pontia chloridice 1 Schedule 2
Greater bath white Pontia edusa 1
Desert bath white Pontia glauconome
Shaw's dwarf Pontia shawii 1
Common albatross Appias albina 2 Schedule 2
Apricot albatross Appias galba
Plain puffin Appias indra 2 Schedule 2
Spot puffin Appias lalage
Western striped albatross Appias libythea 1
Eastern striped albatross Appias olferna 1
Chocolate albatross Appias lyncida 3 Schedule 2
Lesser albatross Appias paulina 2
South Indian albatross Appias wardii Schedule 2
Nicobar albatross Catophaga panda 1 Endemic
Redspot sawtooth Prioneris philonome 1
Painted sawtooth Prioneris sita
Spotted sawtooth Prioneris thestylis 1
Pioneer Belonois aurota 1
Andaman gull Cepora lichenosa Endemic
Lesser gull Cepora nadina 3 Schedule 2
Common gull Cepora nerissa 2
Redbreast jezabel Delias acalis 2
Yellow jezabel Delias agostina 1
Hill jezabel Delias belladonna 3
Dark jezabel Delias berinda 3
Redspot jezabel Delias descombesi 1
Common jezabel Delias eucharis
Painted jezabel Delias hyparete 3
Broadwing jezabel Delias lativitta 2 Schedule 2
Redbase jezabel Delias pasithoe 1
Pale jezabel Delias sanaca 3 Schedule 1
Yellow orange-tip, Ixias pyrene
Small salmon arab, Colotis amata

Euchloeini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Little white Euchloe daphalis 1
White orange tip Ixias marianne
Yellow orange tip Ixias pyrene 4
Small salmon arab Colotis amata 2
Plain orange tip Colotis aurora 1
Crimson tip Colotis danae 1
Little orange tip Colotis etrida 1
Large salmon arab Colotis fausta 2
White arab Colotis phisadia 1
Blue-spotted arab Colotis protractus
Indian wanderer Pareronia anais 2
Pale wanderer Pareronia avatar Schedule 2
Dark wanderer Pareronia ceylanica 1
Great orange tip Hebomoia glaucippe 4

Riodinidae

The Riodinidae or the metalmark butterflies are a family of about 1600 species. The name "metalmark" owes to the metallic spots on the Neotropical members of this family. There are 20 species of this family found in India.

Riodininae

Abnormal judy, Abisara abnormis

Abisarini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Abnormal judy Abisara abnormis
Double-banded judy Abisara bifasciata 3
Plum judy Abisara echerius 2
Malayan plum judy Abisara saturata 1
Harlequin Taxila haquinus 1
Burn's judy Sibosia burnii
Short-tailed judy Archigenes attenuata
Spot judy Archigenes chela 2
Tailed judy Archigenes neophron 2
Common punch, Dodona durga

Nemeobiini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Tamerlane's coppermark Polycaena tamerlana 1
Striped punch Dodona adonira 2 Schedule 2
Broad-banded punch Dodona deodata 1
Lesser punch Dodona dipoea 2 Schedule 2
Common punch Dodona durga 1
Orange punch Dodona egeon 1 Schedule 2
Tailed punch Dodona eugenes 2
Mixed punch Dodona ouida 2
Dark judy Spitosa fylla
Columbine Stiboges nymphidia 1
Punchinello Zemeros flegyas 1

Lycaenidae

The Lycaenidae or the gossamer-winged butterflies are a large family of about 6000 species. They are a group of relatively small butterflies, and most species are attracted to flowers. There are 399 species of this family found in India.

Indian sunbeam, Curetis thetis

Curetinae

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Angled sunbeam Curetis acuta 1
Bright sunbeam Curetis bulis 1
Naga sunbeam Curetis naga
Burmese sunbeam Curetis saronis 5
Shiva sunbeam Curetis siva
Indian sunbeam Curetis thetis 1
Blue gem, Poritia erycinoides

Poritinae

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Blue gem Poritia erycinoides 1 Schedule 2
Common gem Poritia hewitsoni 1 Schedule 2
Broad-banded brilliant Simiskina phalena 1 Schedule 1

Liphyrinae

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Moth butterfly Liphyra brassolis 1 Schedule 1

Miletinae

Apefly, Spalgis epius

Miletini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Great darkie Allotinus drumila 1 Schedule 1
Blue darkie Allotinus subviolaceus 1 Schedule 2
Brown-tipped darkie Allotinus taras
Common darkie Allotinus unicolor 1
Dark mottle Logania distanti 1 Schedule 2
Pale mottle Logania marmorata 1
Watson's mottle Logania watsoniana Schedule 1
Common brownie Miletus chinensis 2 Schedule 1
Manipur brownie Miletus mallus
Coorg brownie Miletus nymphis 1
Forest pierrot Taraka hamada 1
Assam apefly Spalgis baiongus
Apefly Spalgis epius 1

Lycaeninae

Common copper, Lycaena phleas
Golden sapphire, Heliophorus brahma

Lycaenini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Ladakh copper Lycaena aditya 1
Plain copper Lycaena alpherakii
Green copper Lycaena kasyapa 1
White-bordered copper Lycaena pavana
Common copper Lycaena phlaeas 4
Chitral purple copper Hyrcanana evansii
Green sapphire Heliophorus androcles 2 Schedule 2
Western blue sapphire Heliophorus bakeri
Golden sapphire Heliophorus brahma 1
Purple sapphire Heliophorus epicles 1
Hybrid sapphire Heliophorus hybrida Schedule 1
Restricted purple sapphire Heliophorus ila 1
Indian purple sapphire Heliophorus indicus
Naga sapphire Heliophorus kohimensis 1 Schedule 2
Azure sapphire Heliophorus moorei 2 Schedule 2
Eastern blue sapphire Heliophorus oda
Sorrel sapphire Heliophorus sena
Powdery green sapphire Heliophorus tamu 2
Lilac silverline, Cigaritis lilacinus
Silver-red silverline, Cigaritis rukma

Aphnaeinae

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Abnormal silverline Cigaritis abnormis Endemic
Tawny silverline Cigaritis acamas 1
Chitral silverline Cigaritis chitralensis
Scarce shot silverline Cigaritis elima 2 Schedule 2
Elwes' silverline Cigaritis elwesi Schedule 2
Cinnamon silverline Cigaritis evansii 1
Common shot silverline Cigaritis ictis 1
Lilac silverline Cigaritis lilacinus Schedule 2
Long-banded silverline Cigaritis lohita 3 Schedule 2
Cloud silverline Cigaritis meghamalaiensis Endemic
Mishmi silverline Cigaritis mishmisensis
SIlver-grey silverline Cigaritis nipalicus Schedule 2
Silver-red silverline Cigaritis rukma
Khaki silverline Cigaritis rukmini Schedule 2
Plumbeous silverline Cigaritis schistacea 1
Club silverline Cigaritis syama 1
Common silverline Cigaritis vulcanus 1
Contiguous silverline Cigaritis zhengweilie 1
Translucent hairstreak, Yamamotozephyrus kwangtungensis

Theclinae

Water hairstreak, Euaspa milionia
Wonderful hairstreak, Thermozephyrus ataxus

Theclini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Nepal walnut blue Chaetoprocta kurumi 1
Walnut blue Chaetoprocta odata 2
Orange-disc hairstreak Euaspa hishikawai 1
Water hairstreak Euaspa milionia 1
Darjeeling hairstreak Euaspa miyashitai
Arunachal hairstreak Euaspa mikamii
Kachin hairstreak Euaspa motokii
Peacock hairstreak Euaspa pavo Schedule 1
White-spotted hairstreak Shizuyaozephyrus ziha Schedule 2
Suroifui hairstreak Fujiokaozephyrus tsangkie 1
Indian purple hairstreak Iwaseozephyrus mandara 3
Dull green hairstreak Esakiozephyrus icana 1 Schedule 2
Translucent hairstreak Yamamotozephyrus kwangtungensis 1
Howarth's green hairstreak Chrysozephyrus disparatus 2
Metallic green hairstreak Chrysozephyrus duma
Broad-bordered green hairstreak Chrysozephyrus dumoides
Intermediate green hairstreak Chrysozephyrus intermedius 1
Kabru green hairstreak Chrysozephyrus kabrua 1 Schedule 2
Sanders' green hairstreak Chrysozephyrus sandersi
Sikkim green hairstreak Chrysozephyrus sikkimensis
Manipur green hairstreak Chrysozephyrus tytleri 1
Naga green hairstreak Chrysozephyrus vittatus 1 Schedule 2
Powdered green hairstreak Chrysozephyrus zoa 1 Schedule 2
Cerulean hairstreak Neozephyrus suroia 1 Schedule 2
Bhutan hairstreak Shirozuozephyrus bhutanensis
Fawn hairstreak Shirozuozephyrus birupa
Jakama hairstreak Shirozuozephyrus jakamensis Schedule 2
Tailless metallic green hairstreak Shirozuozephyrus khasia Schedule 2
Kirbari hairstreak Shirozuozephyrus kirbariensis 1 Schedule 2
Paona hairstreak Shirozuozephyrus paona 1 Schedule 1
Kumaon hairstreak Shirozuozephyrus triloka
Assam hairstreak Inomataozephyrus assamicus
Silver hairstreak Inomataozephyrus syla Schedule 2
Wonderful hairstreak Thermozephyrus ataxus 2 Schedule 2
Pale hairstreak Leucantigius atayalicus 1
Indian oakblue, Arhopala atrax
Centaur oakblue, Arhopala centaurus
Tailless bushblue, Arhopala ganesa
Yellowdisc oakblue, Arhopala perimuta
Sylhet oakblue, Arhopala silhetensis
Many-tailed oakblue, Thaduka multicaudata
Variegated plushblue, Flos adriana
Common acacia blue, Surendra quercetorum
Silver-streaked acacia blue, Zinaspa todara

Arhopalini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Chinese hairstreak Amblopala avidiena 1 Schedule 1
Pale bushblue Arhopala aberrans Schedule 2
Tytler's dull oakblue Arhopala ace 1 Schedule 1
Dawnas tailless oakblue Arhopala aaeta
De Nicéville's dull oakblue Arhopala agrata 1 Schedule 2
Kanara oakblue Arhopala alea Schedule 1, Endemic
Tytler's rosy oakblue Arhopala allata 1 Schedule 2
Silky oakblue Arhopala alax
Pallid oakblue Arhopala alesia 2 Schedule 2
Large oakblue Arhopala amantes 3
Dark bushblue Arhopala ammonides 1
Magnificent oakblue Arhopala anarte
Multi-spotted oakblue Arhopala anthelus 1
Chocolate bushblue Arhopala ariel Schedule 1
Purple-brown tailless oakblue Arhopala arvina 1 Schedule 1
Broad-banded oakblue Arhopala asinarus 1
Plain tailless oakblue Arhopala asopia Schedule 1
Vinous oakblue Arhopala athada 1
Indian oakblue Arhopala atrax
Grey-washed oakblue Arhopala aurelia
Tamil oakblue Arhopala bazaloides 1 Schedule 2
Powdered oakblue Arhopala bazalus 1
Doherty's oakblue Arhopala belphoebe 1
Burmese bushblue Arhopala birmana 1
Lilac oakblue Arhopala camdeo 1 Schedule 2
Centaur oakblue Arhopala centaurus 3
Comic oakblue Arhopala comica 1 Schedule 1
Bhutan oakblue Arhopala curiosa
White-spotted oakblue Arhopala democritus 1 Subspecies not named
Frosted oakblue Arhopala dispar 1
Pale Himalayan oakblue Arhopala dodonaea
Green oakblue Arhopala eumolphus 1
Spotless oakblue Arhopala fulla 2 Schedule 2
Tailless bushblue Arhopala ganesa 2 Schedule 2
Pointed green oakblue Arhopala hellenore 1
Doherty's dull oakblue Arhopala khamti
Large-spotted oakblue Arhopala nicevillei
Hewitson's dull oakblue Arhopala oenea Schedule 2
Opal oakblue Arhopala opalina 1 Schedule 1
Dusky bushblue Arhopala paraganesa 2 Schedule 2
Glazed oakblue Arhopala paralea Schedule 2
Hooked oakblue Arhopala paramuta 1
Yellowdisc tailless oakblue Arhopala perimuta 1
Dark Himalayan oakblue Arhopala rama 2
Rosy oakblue Arhopala selta 1
Sylhet oakblue Arhopala silhetensis 1 Schedule 2
Yellowdisc oakblue Arhopala singla
Andaman tailless oakblue Arhopala zeta Schedule 1, Endemic
Many-tailed oakblue Thaduka multicaudata 1 Schedule 2
Crenulate oakblue Apporasa atkinsoni
Falcate oakblue Mahathala ameria 2 Schedule 2
Aberrant bushblue Flos abseus 1
Variegated plushblue Flos adriana
Briliant plushblue Flos anniella 1
Plain plushblue Flos apidanus 1 Schedule 2
Tailless plushblue Flos areste Schedule 2
Chinese plushblue Flos chinensis
Bifid plushblue Flos diardi 1
Shining plushblue Flos fulgida 1
Saffron Mota massyla
Common acacia blue Surendra quercetorum 3
Silver-streaked acacia blue Zinaspa todara 2 Schedule 2
Redspot, Zesius chrysomallus

Zesiini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Redspot Zesius chrysomallus

Amblypodiini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Purple leaf blue Amblypodia anita 3
Scarce silverstreak blue Iraota rochana 1 Schedule 2
SIlverstreak blue Iraota timoleon 2
Common tinsel, Catapaecilma major

Catapaecilmatini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Common tinsel Catapaecilma major 3 Schedule 2
Yellow tinsel Catapaecilma subochrea 1
Dark tinsel Acupicta delicatum Schedule 2

Loxurini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Yamfly Loxura atymnus 4
Branded yamfly Yasoda tripunctata 1 Schedule 2
Brown yam, Drina donina

Drinini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Brown yam Drina donina
Monkey puzzle, Rathinda amor

Cheritrini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Violet onyx Horaga albimacula 2 Schedule 2
Common onyx Horaga onyx 3 Schedule 2
Yellow onyx Horaga syrinx 1
Litin onyx Horaga takanamii 1 Subspecies not named
Monkey puzzle Rathinda amor
Common imperial Cheritra freja 2
Truncate imperial Cheritrella truncipennis Schedule 2
Blue imperial Ticherra acte 1
Blue posy Drupadia scaeva 1 Schedule 1
Peacock royal, Tajuria cippus
Plains blue royal, Tajuria jehana

Iolaini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Slate royal Pratapa bhotea 1
White-tufted royal Pratapa deva 2 Schedule 2
Dark blue royal Pratapa icetas 3 Schedule 2
Blue royal Pratapa icetoides 1
Pallid royal Tajuria albiplaga 1 Schedule 2
Peacock royal Tajuria cippus 1 Schedule 2
Black-branded royal Tajuria culta Schedule 2
Flash royal Tajuria deudorix 1
Straightline royal Tajuria diaeus 1 Schedule 2
Scarce white royal Tajuria illurgioides Schedule 2
White royal Tajuria illurgis 1 Schedule 2
Bornean royal Tajuria isaeus 1
Uncertain royal Tajuria ister 1 Schedule 2
Plains blue royal Tajuria jehana 1
Spotted royal Tajuria maculata
Orange-and-black royal Tajuria megistia 1
Branded royal Tajuria melastigma Schedule 2
Cerulean royal Tajuria nela 1
Chestnut-and-black royal Tajuria yajna 2 Schedule 1, Schedule 2
White-banded royal Dacalana cotys 1
Double-tufted royal Dacalana penicilligera
Broadtail royal Creon cleobis 1
Baby royal Bullis buto 1
Banded royal Rachana jalindra 3 Schedule 2
Pale grand imperial Neocheritra fabronia 1 Schedule 2
Cachar mandarin blue Charana cepheis Schedule 1
Mandarin blue Charana mandarina 1
Red imperial Suasa lisides 1 Schedule 2
Azure royal Britomartis cleoboides 1
Cornelian, Deudorix epijarbas
Broad spark, Sinthusa chandrana
Common guava blue, Virachola isocrates
Malabar flash, Rapala lankana
Indigo flash, Rapala varuna

Deudorigini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Cornelian Deudorix epijarbas 1
Assam cornelian Deudorix gaetulia
Doherty's guava blue Virachola dohertyi
Common guava blue Virachola isocrates
Whiteline flash Virachola kessuma 1
Large guava blue Virachola perse 2
Refulgent flash Virachola refulgens Schedule 2
Rosy guava blue Virachola rubida
Scarce guava blue Virachola similis 2
Green flash Artipe eryx 1 Schedule 2
Broad spark Sinthusa chandrana 2 Schedule 2
Obscure spark Sinthusa confusa
Narrow spark Sinthusa nasaka 2 Schedule 2
Yunnan spark Sinthusa menglaensis
Pale spark Sinthusa virgo Schedule 2
Witch Araotes lapithis 1 Schedule 2
Plane Bindahara phocides 3 Schedule 2
Malay red flash Rapala damona
Scarlet flash Rapala dieneces 2
Chitral flash Rapala extensa
Cryptic flash Rapala huangi
Common red flash Rapala iarbus 2
Malabar flash Rapala lankana Endemic
Slate flash Rapala manea 1
Brilliant flash Rapala melida 1
Common flash Rapala nissa 1
Copper flash Rapala pheretima 1
Shot flash Rapala rectivitta
Rosy flash Rapala rosacea
Scarce red flash Rapala scintilla 1 Schedule 2
Himalayan red flash Rapala selira
Suffused flash Rapala suffusa 1
Assam flash Rapala tara
Indigo flash Rapala varuna 4 Schedule 2
Lister's hairstreak Pamela dudgeonii Schedule 2

Eumaeini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Naga elfin Callophrys huertasblancae
Ferruginous elfin Callophrys leechii Schedule 1
Chindwin elfin Callophrys monstrabila
Mackwood's hairstreak Satyrium mackwoodi Schedule 1
Moore's hairstreak Satyrium deria

Polyommatinae

Chocolate royal, Remelana jangala

Remelanini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Chocolate royal Remelana jangala 2 Schedule 2
Silver royal Ancema blanka 2 Schedule 2
Bi-spot royal Ancema ctesia 1
Nilgiri tit, Hypolycaena nilgirica

Hypolycaenini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Fluffy tit Hypolycaena amasa 1
Common tit Hypolycaena erylus 2
Blue tit Hypolycaena kina 1 Schedule 2
Banded tit Hypolycaena narada
Nilgiri tit Hypolycaena nilgirica Schedule 2
Orchid tit Hypolycaena othona 1 Schedule 1
Brown tit Hypolycaena thecloides 1 Schedule 2 (for the Nicobar subspecies)
Ciliate blue, Anthene emolus

Lycaenesthini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Ciliate blue Anthene emolus 2
Pointed ciliate blue Anthene lycaenina 2 Schedule 2
Dingy lineblue, Petrelaea dana
Transparent six-lineblue, Nacaduba kurava
Large four-lineblue, Nacaduba pactolus
Glistening cerulean, Jamides elpis
Forget-me-not, Catochrysops strabo
Zebra blue, Leptotes plinius
Common pierrot, Castalius rosimon
Tiny grass blue, Zizula hylax
Red pierrot, Talicada nyseus
African babul blue, Azanus jesous
Plain hedge blue, Celastrina lavendularis
Common hedge blue, Acytolepis puspa
Grass jewel, Freyeria trochylus
Plains cupid, Luthrodes pandava
Small green underwing, Pamiria metallica
Common blue, Polyommatus icarus

Polyommatini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Fawcett's pierrot Niphanda asialis 1
Pointed pierrot Niphanda cymbia 1 Schedule 2
Singleton Una usta 1 Schedule 2
Straightwing blue Orthomiella pontis 1 Schedule 2
Burmese straightwing blue Orthomiella rantaizana 1
Dingy lineblue Petrelaea dana
Rounded six-lineblue Nacaduba berenice 2
Opaque six-lineblue Nacaduba beroe 1
Dark Ceylon six-lineblue Nacaduba calauria 1
Pale four-lineblue Nacaduba hermus 3 Schedule 2
Transparent six-lineblue Nacaduba kurava 3
Large four-lineblue Nacaduba pactolus 3 Schedule 2
Small four-lineblue Nacaduba pavana 2
Jewel four-lineblue Nacaduba sanaya 1
Pale Ceylon six-lineblue Nacaduba sinhala 1
Violet four-lineblue Nacaduba subperusia 2
Barred lineblue Prosotas aluta 1 Schedule 2
Bhutya lineblue Prosotas bhutea 1 Schedule 2
Tailless lineblue Prosotas dubiosa 1 Schedule 2
Brown lineblue Prosotas lutea 1
Common lineblue Prosotas nora 3
White-tipped lineblue Prosotas noreia 1 Schedule 2
Margined lineblue Prosotas pia 1
Pointed lineblue Ionolyce helicon 4 Schedule 2
Felder's lineblue Catopyrops ancyra 1 Schedule 2
Angled pierrot Caleta decidia 1
Elbowed pierrot Caleta elna 1
Straight pierrot Caleta roxus 2 Schedule 2
Banded blue pierrot Discolampa ethion 2
Metallic cerulean Jamides alecto 3 Schedule 2
Darlk cerulean Jamides bochus 1
Royal cerulean Jamides caeruleus 1 Schedule 2
Common cerulean Jamides celeno 4
Glistening cerulean Jamides elpis 2
Ferrar's cerulean Jamides ferrari 1 Schedule 1
Frosted cerulean Jamides kankena 1 Schedule 2
White cerulean Jamides pura 1 Schedule 2
Silver forget-me-not Catochrysops panormus 2
Forget-me-not Catochrysops strabo 1
Pea blue Lampides boeticus
Zebra blue Leptotes plinius
Common pierrot Castalius rosimon 1
Dark pierrot Tarucus ananda
Black-spotted pierrot Tarucus balkanica 1
Spotted pierrot Tarucus callinara Schedule 2
Hazara pierrot Tarucus hazara
Indian pierrot Tarucus indica
Striped pierrot Tarucus nara
Himalayan pierrot Tarucus venosus
Assam pierrot Tarucus waterstradti 1 Schedule 2
Dark grass blue Zizeeria karsandra
Pale grass blue Pseudozizeeria maha 2
Lesser grass blue Zizina otis 1
Tiny grass blue Zizula hylax 1
Pamir cupid Cupido alaina
Shandur cupid Cupido buddhista
Tailed cupid Cupido diporides 2
Dusky-blue cupid Cupido huegelii 2
Indian cupid Cupido lacturnus 3
Gilgit mountain blue Iolana gigantea 1
Hedge cupid Bothrinia chennellii 1 Schedule 2
Black cupid Tongeia kala Schedule 2
False Tibetan cupid Tongeia pseudozuthus
Moore's cupid Shijimia moorei 1
Red pierrot Talicada nyseus 3
Forest quaker Pithecops corvus 1
Blue quaker Pithecops fulgens 1 Schedule 2
African babul blue Azanus jesous 1
Bright babul blue Azanus ubaldus
Dull babul blue Azanus uranus
Quaker Neopithecops zalmora 3
Malayan Megisba malaya 3 Schedule 2
Holly blue Celastrina argiolus 2
Silvery hedge blue Celastrina gigas
Mishmi hedge blue Celastrina hersilia 1
Large hedge blue Celastrina huegelii 2
Plain hedge blue Celastrina lavendularis 2
Khasi hedge blue Celastrina oreas 1
White-banded hedge blue Lestranicus transpectus
Whitedisc hedge blue Celatoxia albidisca
Margined hedge blue Celatoxia marginata 1
Chapman's hedge blue Notarthinus binghami Schedule 1
Hampson's hedge blue Acytolepis lilacea 1 Schedule 2
Common hedge blue Acytolepis puspa 4
Naga hedge blue Oreolyce dohertyi Schedule 1
Dusky hedge blue Oreolyce vardhana 2
Metallic hedge blue Callenya melaena 1 Schedule 2
Swinhoe's hedge blue Monodontides musina 1
White hedge blue Udara akasa 1
Albocerulean Udara albocaerulea 1 Schedule 2
Pale hedge blue Udara dilectus 1
Narrow-bordered hedge blue Udara placidula 1
Bicolored hedge blue Udara selma 1
Singhalese hedge blue Udara singalensis
Gram blue Euchrysops cnejus 1
Small grass jewel Freyeria putli 1
Grass jewel Freyeria trochylus 1
Plains cupid Luthrodes pandava
Lime blue Chilades lajus 1
Small cupid Chilades parrhasius 1
Chitral argus blue Turanana chitrali
Eastern baton blue Pseudophilotes vicrama 2
Great spotted blue Phengaris atroguttata 1 Schedule 2
Pamir jewel blue Plebejus eversmanni 1 Schedule 2
Ladakh jewel blue Plebejus samudra
Orange-bordered argus blue Aricia agestis 1
Northern brown argus Aricia artaxerxes 1
Astor argus blue Eumedonia astorica
Streaked argus blue Eumedonia eumedon
White-ringed argus blue Grumania annulata
Kamba mountain blue Agriades arcaseia
Azure mountain blue Agriades asiatica
Common mountain blue Agriades lehanus
Alpine mountain blue Agriades orbitulus 1
Sikkim mountain blue Agriades sikhima
Greenish mountain blue Agriades jaloka 4
Evans' mountain blue Agriades morsheadi
Tien Shan mountain blue Agriades pheretiades
Golden green underwing Pamiria chrysopis 2
Large green underwing Pamiria galathea 3
Small green underwing Pamiria metallica 1
Dusky green underwing Pamiria omphisa
Sikkim green underwing Pamiria sikkima
Garwhal green underwing Pamiria wojtusiaki
Chumbi green underwing Patricius younghusbandi 2 Schedule 2
Large jewel blue Plebejidea loewii 1
Baluchi jewel blue Kretania beani
Bálint's meadow blue Kretania csomai
Chitral argus blue Afarsia ashretha 1
Jewel argus blue Afarsia hanna
Afghan meadow blue Alpherakya bellona
Dusky meadow blue Alpherakya devanica 1 Schedule 2
Rupal meadow blue Alpherakya rupala
Ladakh meadow blue Alpherakya sartoides
Lahaul meadow blue Polyommatus ariana
Kumaon meadow blue Polyommatus dux 2
Briliant meadow blue Polyommatus florenciae
Hunza meadow blue Polyommatus hunza
Common blue Polyommatus icarus 1
Gilgit meadow blue Polyommatus icadius
Kashmir meadow blue Polyommatus pseuderos
Beautiful meadow blue Polyommatus pulchella
Himalayan meadow blue Polyommatus stoliczkana 3

Nymphalidae

The Nymphalidae or brush-footed butterflies are the largest family of butterflies by number of species (more than 6000 species are described). They are medium sized to large butterflies and are often easily distinguishable in the field. The uppersides are usually more vibrantly colored than the undersides. Most species can be found basking in the sun or visiting flowers and over-ripe fruits. There are 497 species of this family found in India.

Common beak, Libythea lepita

Libytheinae

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Common beak Libythea lepita 2 Schedule 2
Club beak Libythea myrrha 2
White-spotted beak Libythea narina 1

Danainae

Nilgiri tiger, Parantica nilgiriensis
Blue tiger, Tirumala limniace

Danaini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Glassy tiger Parantica aglea 3
Dark glassy tiger Parantica agleoides 1
Chocolate tiger Parantica melaneus
Nilgiri tiger Parantica nilgiriensis Endemic
Talbot's chestnut tiger Parantica pedonga
Chestnut tiger Parantica sita 1
Swinhoe's chocolate tiger Parantica swinhoei 1
Grey glassy tiger Ideopsis juventa 1
Blue glassy tiger Ideopsis similis 1
Scarce blue tiger Tirumala gautama 1 Schedule 1
Blue tiger Tirumala limniace 1
Dark blue tiger Tirumala septentrionis 2
Malay tiger Danaus affinis 1
Plain tiger Danaus chrysippus 1
Common tiger Danaus genutia 1
White tiger Danaus melanippus 3
Common crow, Euploea core
Magpie crow, Euploea radamanthus
King crow, Euploea klugii

Euploeini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Long-branded blue crow Euploea algea 1 Schedule 2
Andaman crow Euploea andamanensis 3 Endemic
Common crow Euploea core 2
Spotted black crow Euploea crameri 4 Schedule 1
Striped black crow Euploea doubledayi 1
Blue-branded king crow Euploea eunice 1
King crow Euploea klugii 2
Spotted blue crow Euploea midamus 3 Schedule 1, Schedule 2
Plain blue crow Euploea modesta
Striped blue crow Euploea mulciber 2
Great crow Euploea phaenareta 1
Magpie crow Euploea radamanthus 2
Nicobar crow Euploea scherzeri 3 Endemic
Double-branded crow Euploea sylvester 3
Burmese tree nymph Idea agamarschana 1
Malabar tree nymph Idea malabarica 2 Schedule 2, Endemic

Charaxinae

Black rajah, Eriboea solon
Anomalous nawab, Polyura agrarius
Common nawab, Polyura athamas

Charaxini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Anomalous nawab Polyura agrarius 1
Pallid nawab Polyura arja
Common nawab Polyura athamas 2 Schedule 2
Cryptic nawab Polyura bharata
Jewelled nawab Polyura delphis 1 Schedule 2
Stately nawab Polyura dolon 4 Schedule 2
Great nawab Polyura eudamippus 1
Malayan nawab Polyura moori 1 Schedule 1
China nawab Polyura narcaeus 2 Schedule 2
Blue nawab Polyura schreiber 3 Schedule 1
Black rajah Eriboea solon 1 Schedule 2
Scarce tawny rajah Charaxes aristogiton 1 Schedule 2
Tawny rajah Charaxes bernardus 2 Schedule 2
Chestnut rajah Charaxes durnfordi 1 Schedule 1
Variegated rajah Charaxes kahruba Schedule 2
Yellow rajah Charaxes marmax 1 Schedule 2
Plain tawny rajah Charaxes psaphon 1

Prothoini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Blue begum Prothoe franck 1 Schedule 1

Satyrinae

Common faun, Faunis canens
Common duffer, Discophora sondaica
Northern junglequeen, Stichophthalma camadeva

Amathusiini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Large faun Faunis eumeus 1
Common faun Faunis canens 1
Yellow dryad Aemona amathusia 1
Blue caliph Enispe cycnus 1
Red caliph Enispe euthymius 1
Malayan red caliph Enispe duranius 1
Banded duffer Discophora deo 1 Schedule 1
Southern duffer Discophora lepida 1
Common duffer Discophora sondaica 1 Schedule 1
Great duffer Discophora timora 2
Andaman palmking Amathusia andamanensis Endemic
Travancore palmking Amathusia travancorica Endemic
Koh-i-noor Amathuxidia amythaon 1
Jungleglory Thaumantis diores 1
Jungleking Thauria lathyi 1
Northern jungelqueen Stichophthalma camadeva 4 Schedule 1
Hainan junglequeen Stichophthalma neumogeni 1
Chocolate jungelqueen Stichophthalma nourmahal 1
Manipur junglequeen Stichophthalma sparta 2
Tailed palmfly, Elymnias caudata

Elymniini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Tailed palmfly Elymnias caudata Endemic
Common palmfly Elymnias hypermnestra 2
Spotted palmfly Elymnias malelas Schedule 2
Tiger palmfly Elymnias nesaea 1
Chestnut palmfly Elymnias obnubila
Tawny palmfly Elymnias panthera 1
Blue-striped palmfly Elymnias patna 1
Peal's palmfly Elymnias peali Schedule 1
Pointed palmfly Elymnias penanga 1 Schedule 1
Jezabel palmfly Elymnias vasudeva Schedule 2
Common evening brown, Melanitis leda

Melanitini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Common evening brown Melanitis leda 1
Dark evening brown Melanitis phedima 4
Great evening brown Melanitis zitenius 4 Schedule 2
Scarce evening brown Cyllogenes janetae 2 Schedule 2
Branded evening brown Cyllogenes suradeva Schedule 2
Travancore evening brown Parantirrhoea marshalli Schedule 2, Endemic
Dusky diadem, Ethope himachala

Zetherini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Yellow kaiser Penthema lisarda 1 Schedule 2
Dusky diadem Ethope himachala
Yellow owl Neorina hilda Schedule 2
White owl Neorina patria 1 Schedule 2
Common wall, Lasiommata schakra
Tamil treebrown, Lethe drypetis
Bamboo treebrown, Lethe europa
Common treebrown, Lethe rohria
Straight-banded treebrown, Lethe verma
White-edged bushbrown, Telinga mestra
Chinese bushbrown, Mycalesis gotama
Gladeye bushbrown, Mycalesis patnia
Common bushbrown, Mycalesis perseus
Dark-brand bushbrown, Mycalesis mineus
Long-brand bushbrown, Mycalesis visala
Tamil catseye, Zipaetis saitis
Dark catseye, Zipaetis scylax
Common satyr, Aulocera saraswati
Common threering, Ypthima asterope
White fourring, Ypthima ceylonica
Nilgiri fourring, Ypthima chenu
Moore's fivering, Ypthima nikaea
Himalayan fivering, Ypthima sakra
Nilgiri jewel fourring, Ypthima striata
Common argus, Callerebia nirmala
Indian fivering, Ypthima tabella
Pallid argus, Callerebia scanda

Satyrini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Chumbi wall Chonala masoni
Yellow wall Esperage cashmirensis
Scarce wall Lasiommata maerula 1 Schedule 2
Ladakh wall Lasiommata maeroides
Dark wall Lasiommata menava 1 Schedule 1
Pakistan wall Lasiommata pakistana
Common wall Lasiommata schakra 1
Tigerbrown Orinoma damaris 1
Small tawny wall Orinoma moorei 2
Large tawny wall Orinoma satricus 2 Schedule 2
Anderson's silverstripe Lethe andersoni
Small goldenfork Lethe atkinsonia Schedule 2
Treble silverstripe Lethe baladeva Schedule 2
Rusty forester Lethe bhairava
Dark forester Lethe brisanda Schedule 2
Angled red forester Lethe chandica 1
Banded treebrown Lethe confusa 1
Garwhal woodbrown Lethe dakwania
Scarce lilacfork Lethe dura 1 Schedule 1
Scarce red forester Lethe distans Schedule 1, Schedule 2
Tamil treebrown Lethe drypetis 1
Eastern small silverfork Lethe elwesi
Bamboo treebrown Lethe europa 4 Schedule 1, Schedule 2
Tytler's treebrown Lethe gemina 1 Schedule 1
Large goldenfork Lethe goalpara 3 Schedule 2
Dull forester Lethe gulnihal 1 Schedule 1
Common forester Lethe hyrania 2
Small silverfork Lethe jalaurida 1 Schedule 2
Manipur goldenfork Lethe kabrua Schedule 2
Manipur woodbrown Lethe kanjupkula Schedule 2
Bamboo forester Lethe kansa 1
Pale forester Lethe latiaris 1 Schedule 2
Barred woodbrown Lethe maitrya 1
Bhutan treebrown Lethe margaritae Schedule 1
Common red forester Lethe mekara 2
Möller's silverfork Lethe moelleri 1 Schedule 2
Naga treebrown Lethe naga 1 Schedule 2
Yellow woodbrown Lethe nicetas
Small woodbrown Lethe nicetella Schedule 2
Single silverstripe Lethe ramadeva Schedule 1
Common treebrown Lethe rohria 2
Pallid forester Lethe satyavati Schedule 1
Blue forester Lethe scanda Schedule 2
Brown forester Lethe serbonis 1 Schedule 2
Scarce woodbrown Lethe siderea Schedule 2
Common woodbrown Lethe sidonis
Tailed red forester Lethe sinorix 1 Schedule 2
Lilacfork Lethe sura
Spotted mystic Lethe tristigmata Schedule 2
Straight-banded treebrown Lethe verma 2
Black forester Lethe vindhya 1
White-edged woodbrown Lethe visrava Schedule 2
Tibetan silverfork Lethe wui
Chinese labyrinth Neope armandii 1
Tailed labyrinth Neope bhadra
Veined labyrinth Neope pulaha 2 Schedule 2
Scarce labyrinth Neope pulahina
Large veined labyrinth Neope pulahoides 1
Dusky labyrinth Neope yama 2 Schedule 2
Redeye bushbrown Telinga adolphei
Betham's bushbrown Telinga bethami
Palni bushbrown Telinga davisoni
Moore's bushbrown Telinga heri Schedule 2
Naga bushbrown Telinga kohimensis
Lepcha bushbrown Telinga lepcha Schedule 2
White-line bushbrown Telinga malsara
Plain bushbrown Telinga malsarida Schedule 2
White-edged bushbrown Telinga mestra 1 Schedule 2
De Nicéville's bushbrown Telinga misenus 1 Schedule 2
Many-tufted bushbrown Telinga mystes Schedule 2
Bright-eyed bushbrown Telinga nicotia
Red-disc bushbrown Telinga oculus Endemic
Cyclops bushbrown Culapa mnasicles 1
Andaman bushbrown Mydosama radza Endemic
Watson's bushbrown Mycalesis adamsonii 1 Schedule 2
Tawny bushbrown Mycalesis anapita 1
Whitebar bushbrown Mycalesis anaxias 2 Schedule 2
Tytler's bushbrown Mycalesis evansii
Lilacine bushbrown Mycalesis francisca 2
Chinese bushbrown Mycalesis gotama 1 Schedule 2
Small long-brand bushbrown Mycalesis igilia
Intermediate bushbrown Mycalesis intermedia
Nicobar bushbrown Mycalesis manii Endemic
Dark-brand bushbrown Mycalesis mineus 3
Purple bushbrown Mycalesis orseis 1 Schedule 1
Gladeye bushbrown Mycalesis patnia 1
Pachmari bushbrown Mycalesis perseoides
Common bushbrown Mycalesis perseus 2
Wood-Mason's bushbrown Mycalesis suaveolens 3 Schedule 2
Long-brand bushbrown Mycalesis visala 3
Scarce catseye Coelites nothis 1 Schedule 1
Common cyclops Erites falcipennis
Smooth-eyed bushbrown Orsotriaena medus 3
Tamil catseye Zipaetis saitis Schedule 2, Endemic
Dark catseye Zipaetis scylax
Striped ringlet Ragadia crisilda 2 Schedule 2
Ladakh heath Coenonympha emmonsi
Short-branded meadowbrown Hyponephele brevistigma
Branded meadowbrown Hyponephele cheena 3
Spotted meadowbrown Hyponephele coenonympha
White-ringed meadowbrown Hyponephele davendra 1 Schedule 2
Pamir meadowbrown Hyponephele hilaris
Tawny meadowbrown Hyponephele pulchella
Dusky meadowbrown Hyponephele pulchra 5
Lesser white-ringed meadowbrown Hyponephele tenuistigma 1
White-edged rockbrown Hipparchia parisatis 2
Chitrali satyr Kanestia digna
Bicolor mountain satyr Aulocera bicolor
Small satyr Aulocera brahminoides
Narrow-banded satyr Aulocera brahminus 3
Chumbi satyr Aulocera chumbica 2
Gilgit satyr Aulocera gilgitica
Eastern satyr Aulocera kurogane
Doherty's satyr Aulocera loha 2
Great satyr Aulocera padma 4
Mountain satyr Aulocera pumilus 1
Common satyr Aulocera saraswati 2
Sikkim mountain satyr Aulocera sikkimensis
Common satyr Aulocera swaha 2
Zanskar satyr Aulocera tsukadai
Avinoff's satyr Karanasa alpherakyi
Turkestan satyr Karanasa bolorica 2
Tawny satyr Karanasa huebneri 7
Leech's satyr Karanasa leechi 1
Shandur satyr Karanasa moorei 2
Drosh satyr Karanasa pupilata
Rohtang satyr Karanasa rohtanga
Tibetan satyr Oeneis buddha 1 Schedule 2
Dark rockbrown Chazara enervata
Shandur rockbrown Chazara heydenreichi Schedule 2
Spiti rockbrown Pseudochazara baldiva 4
Tytler's rockbrown Pseudochazara droshica
Dark satyr Satyrus alaica
Black satyr Satyrus pimpla 1
Khasi fivering Ypthima affectata
Common threering Ypthima asterope 1
Black fivering Ypthima atra 1
Jewel fivering Ypthima avanta 2
Common fivering Ypthima baldus 3
Desert fourring Ypthima bolanica Schedule 2
White fourring Ypthima ceylonica
Nilgiri fourring Ypthima chenu Endemic
Confusing threering Ypthima confusa 1
Davidson's fivering Ypthima davidsoni
Great fivering Ypthima dohertyi 1
Assam threering Ypthima fusca
Hannyngton's fourring Ypthima hannyngtoni 1
Common fourring Ypthima huebneri
Brown argus Ypthima hyagriva 1 Schedule 2
Western fivering Ypthima indecora
Lesser threering Ypthima inica
Kashmir fourring Ypthima kasmira
Plain threering Ypthima lycus 1 Schedule 2
Menpa fivering Ypthima menpae
Variegated fivering Ypthima methora Schedule 2
Large threering Ypthima nareda
Newar threering Ypthima newara 1
Moore's fivering Ypthima nikaea
Burmese threering Ypthima norma 1
Himalayan fourring Ypthima parasakra
Manipur fivering Ypthima persimilis Schedule 1
Baby fivering Ypthima philomela 1
Himalayan fivering Ypthima sakra 2
Pallid fivering Ypthima savara
Eastern fivering Ypthima similis Schedule 2
Small jewel fivering Ypthima singala 1
Karen fivering Ypthima sobrina
Nilgiri jewel fourring Ypthima striata Endemic
Indian fivering Ypthima tabella Endemic
Taiwan fourring Ypthima tappana 1
Looped threering Ypthima watsoni 1
Palni fourring Ypthima yphthimoides Endemic
Chitral argus Paralasa chitralica 1
Scarce mountain argus Paralasa kalinda 4 Schedule 2
Yellow argus Paralasa mani 2 Schedule 2
Mountain argus Paralasa shallada 1
Yasin argus Paralasa yasina
Ringed argus Callerebia ananda 2 Schedule 2
White-bordered argus Callerebia baileyi
Roy's argus Callerebia dibangensis
Hybrid argus Callerebia hybrida
Common argus Callerebia nirmala 3
Moore's argus Callerebia orixa
Pallid argus Callerebia scanda 2 Schedule 2
Manipur argus Callerebia suroia
Naga argus Callerebia watsoni
Mottled argus Hemadara narasingha 1 Schedule 1
Freak, Calinaga buddha

Calinaginae

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Dark freak Calinaga aborica 2
Common freak Calinaga brahma 1
Freak Calinaga buddha 2 Schedule 1, Schedule 2

Heliconiinae

Tawny coster, Acraea terpsicore

Acraeini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Tawny coster Acraea terpsicore
Yellow coster Telchinia issoria 1
Red lacewing, Cethosia biblis

Cethosiini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Red lacewing Cethosia biblis 3 Schedule 2
Leopard lacewing Cethosia cyane 1
Tamil lacewing Cethosia nietneri 1 Schedule 2
Queen of Spain fritillary, Issoria lathonia
Indian fritillary, Argynnis hyperbius
Cardinal, Argynnis pandora

Argynnini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Whitespot fritillary Boloria erubescens
Hunza silverspot Boloria generator
Jerdon's silverspot Boloria jerdoni 1
Sikkim silverspot Boloria eupales
Straightwing silverspot Boloria sipora 1
Mountain silverspot Issoria altissima Schedule 2
Gem silverspot Issoria gemmata
Queen of Spain fritillary Issoria lathonia 1 Schedule 2
Brilliant silverspot Issoria mackinnonii
Dark green fritillary Argynnis aglaja 1
Large silverstreak Argynnis childreni 2
Silverstreak Argynnis clara 2 Schedule 2
Indian fritillary Argynnis hyperbius 3
Himalayan higbrown silverspot Argynnis jainadeva 2 Schedule 2
Common silverastripe Argynnis kamala
Eastern silverstripe Argynnis laodice 1
Cardinal Argynnis pandora 1
Yunnan fritillary Argynnis westphali
Small leopard, Phalanta alcippe
Common leopard, Phalanta phalantha

Vagrantini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Small leopard Phalanta alcippe 4 Schedule 2
Common leopard Phalanta phalantha 1
Cruiser Vindula erota 3
Large yeoman Cirrochroa aoris 1
Nicobar yeoman Cirrochroa nicobarica Endemic
Tamil yeoman Cirrochroa thais 1
Common yeoman Cirrochroa tyche 2
Branded yeoman Algia fasciata 1 Schedule 1
Rustic Cupha erymanthis 4
Vagrant Vagrans sinha 1

Limenitidinae

Parthenini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Clipper Parthenos sylvia 4 Schedule 2
Grey commodore, Bhagadatta austenia

Cymothoini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Grey commodore Bhagadatta austenia 2 Schedule 2
Blue duke, Euthalia durga
Gaudy baron, Euthalia lubentina
Common earl, Tanaecia julii

Adoliadini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Common baron Euthalia aconthea 5 Schedule 2
Streaked baron Euthalia alpheda 1
Grey baron Euthalia anosia 1 Schedule 2
Chinese duke Euthalia confucius 1
Naga duke Euthalia curvifascia 1 Schedule 1
Blue duchess Euthalia duda 1 Schedule 2
Blue duke Euthalia durga 2 Schedule 1
French duke Euthalia franciae Schedule 2
Grand duke Euthalia iva 1 Schedule 1
Tytler's duchess Euthalia lengba 1
Gaudy baron Euthalia lubentina 2
Malay red baron Euthalia malaccana 1
Dark baron Euthalia merta 1 Schedule 2
Powdered baron Euthalia monina 1
Baronet Euthalia nais
Bronze duke Euthalia nara 1 Schedule 2
Burmese baron Euthalia narayana 1
Grand duchess Euthalia patala 1 Schedule 2
White-edged blue baron Euthalia phemius 1
Green duke Euthalia sahadeva
Mottled baron Euthalia saitaphernes 1
Blue baron Euthalia telchinia 1 Schedule 1
Tytler's duke Euthalia thawgawa
Andaman viscount Tanaecia cibaritis Endemic
Lavender count Tanaecia cocytus 1 Schedule 2
Plain earl Tanaecia jahnu
Common earl Tanaecia julii 1
Grey count Tanaecia lepidea 2 Schedule 2
Redspot duke Dophla evelina 2 Schedule 2
Great archduke Lexias cyanipardus 1 Schedule 2
Dark archduke Lexias dirtea 1 Schedule 2
Archduke Lexias pardalis 1 Schedule 2
Redtail marquis Bassarona recta 1
Banded marquis Bassarona teuta 2 Schedule 2
Sergeant-major Abrota ganga 1
Common sergeant, Athyma perius
White commodore, Limenitis dudu
Staff sergeant, Athyma selenophora

Limenitidini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Great sergeant Tacola larymna 1 Schedule 2
Commodore Auzakia danava 1 Schedule 2
Panther Neurosigma siva 1 Schedule 2
Commander Moduza procris 3
Orange staff sergeant Athyma cama 1
Green commodore Athyma daraxa 1
Dot-dash sergeant Athyma kanwa 1 Schedule 2
Tri-coloured sergeant Athyma inara 2
Hill sergeant Athyma opalina 1
Oriental sergeant Athyma orientalis 1
Common sergeant Athyma perius 1
Unbroken sergeant Athyma pravara 1 Schedule 2
White-patched sergeant Athyma punctata 1
Blackvein sergeant Athyma ranga 2 Schedule 2
Malay staff sergeant Athyma reta 1 Schedule 1
Andaman sergeant Athyma rufula Endemic
Staff sergeant Athyma selenophora 3
Cryptic sergeant Athyma whitei 1
Small staff sergeant Athyma zeroca 1
Bicolour commodore Parasarpa zayla
Scarce white commodore Parasarpa zulema Schedule 1
Studded sergeant Limenitis asura 1 Schedule 2
White commodore Limenitis dudu 1 Schedule 2
Chitral white admiral Limenitis hydaspes 2
Bhutan sergeant Limenitis jina 1 Schedule 1
Kashmir white admiral Limenitis ligyes 1
Mishmi admiral Limenitis rileyi 1
Indian white admiral Limenitis trivena 2
Knight, Lebadea martha
Common lascar, Pantoporia hordonia
Sullied sailer, Neptis clinia
Common sailer, Neptis hylas
Pallas's sailer, Neptis sappho

Neptini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Knight Lebadea martha 1
Assamese lascar Pantoporia assamica
Baby lascar Pantoporia aurelia 1
Tytler's lascar Pantoporia bieti 1 Schedule 2
Common lascar Pantoporia hordonia 2
Perak lascar Pantoporia paraka 1
Extra lascar Pantoporia sandaka 2
Dark sailer Lasippa monata
Burmese sailer Lasippa tiga 1
Yellowjack sailer Lasippa viraja 3 Schedule 2
Yellow sailer Neptis ananta 2
Variegated sailer Neptis armandia 2 Schedule 2
Eliot's sailer Neptis capnodes 1
Plain sailer Neptis cartica 1
Sullied sailer Neptis clinia 4 Schedule 2
Chinese yellow sailer Neptis cydippe 1 Schedule 2
Dingiest sailer Neptis harita 1
Common sailer Neptis hylas 5
Dark dingy sailer Neptis ilira 1
Chestnut-streaked sailer Neptis jumbah 2 Schedule 2
Spotted sailer Neptis magadha 1
Himalayan sailer Neptis mahendra 1
Pale hockeystick sailer Neptis manasa 1 Schedule 2
Small yellow sailer Neptis miah 2
Manipur yellow sailer Neptis namba 1
Broadstick sailer Neptis narayana 2 Schedule 2
Less rich sailer Neptis nashona 1
Nata sailer Neptis nata 4
Naga hockeystick sailer Neptis nemorum 1
Hockeystick sailer Neptis nycteus 1 Schedule 1
Long-streak sailer Neptis philyra 1 Subspecies not named
Dingy sailer Neptis pseudovikasi
Great yellow sailer Neptis radha 1 Schedule 2
Broad-banded sailer Neptis sankara 2 Schedule 2
Pallas's sailer Neptis sappho 1
Creamy sailer Neptis soma 3 Schedule 2
Pale green sailer Neptis zaida 3 Schedule 2
Great hockeystick sailer Phaedyma aspasia 1 Schedule 1
Short-banded sailer Phaedyma columella 3 Schedule 2
Popinjay, Stibochiona nicea

Pseudergolinae

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Tabby Pseudergolis wedah 1
Constable Dichorragia nesimachus 1
Popinjay Stibochiona nicea 1

Biblidinae

Joker, Byblia ilithyia

Biblidini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Angled castor Ariadne ariadne 2
Common castor Ariadne merione 2
Banded dandy Laringa horsfieldii 1
Joker Byblia ilithyia

Apaturinae

Indian purple emperor, Mimathyma ambica
Pasha, Herona marathus
Siren, Hestina persimilis

Apaturini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Indian purple emperor Mimathyma ambica 1
Restricted purple emperor Mimathyma bhavana
Sergeant emperor Mimathyma chevana 1 Schedule 2
Chitral emperor Mimathyma chitralensis
Circe Mimathyma nama
Naga emperor Chitoria naga
Sordid emperor Chitoria sordida 1 Schedule 2
Tawny emperor Chitoria ulupi 1 Schedule 1
Golden emperor Dilipa morgiana Schedule 1
Tytler's emperor Eulaceura manipuriensis Schedule 1
Black prince Rohana parisatis 2
Brown prince Rohana parvata Schedule 2
Elusive prince Rohana tonkiniana 1
Painted courtesan Euripus consimilis 2 Schedule 2
Courtesan Euripus nyctelius 1 Schedule 2
White emperor Helcyra hemina 1 Schedule 1
Pasha Herona marathus 2 Schedule 2
Scarce siren Hestina nicevillei 2 Schedule 1
Siren Hestina persimilis 1 Schedule 2
Empress Sasakia funebris 1 Schedule 1
Eastern courtier Sephisa chandra 1 Schedule 1
Western courtier Sephisa dichroa
Wavy maplet, Chersonesia intermedia

Cyrestinae

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Marbled map Cyrestis cocles 1 Schedule 2
Nicobar map Cyrestis tabula Endemic
Common map Cyrestis thyodamas 4
Wavy maplet Chersonesia intermedia 1 Schedule 2
Common maplet Chersonesia risa 1

Nymphalinae

Mongol, Araschnia prorsoides
Painted lady, Vanessa cardui
Blue admiral, Nymphalis canace

Nymphalini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Mongol Araschnia prorsoides 1 Schedule 2
Himalayan jester Symbrenthia brabira 1
Naga jester Symbrenthia doni
Spotted jester Symbrenthia hypselis 1
Common jester Symbrenthia lilaea 1
Bluetail jester Symbrenthia niphanda Schedule 2
Scarce jester Symbrenthia silana Schedule 1
Red admiral Vanessa atalanta 1
Painted lady Vanessa cardui
Indian red admiral Vanessa indica 2
Comma Nymphalis c-album 1 Schedule 2
Blue admiral Nymphalis canace 1
Indian tortoiseshell Nymphalis caschmirensis 2
Commoa tortoiseshell Nymphalis l-album 1 Schedule 2
Ladakh tortoiseshell Nymphalis ladakensis
Blackleg tortoiseshell Nymphalis polychloros
Mountain tortoiseshell Nymphalis rizana
Pamir comma Nymphalis undina
Large tortoiseshell Nymphalis xanthomelas 1

Rhinopalpini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Wizard Rhinopalpa polynice 1 Schedule 2
Peacock pansy, Junonia almana

Junoniini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Peacock pansy Junonia almana 2
Grey pansy Junonia atlites 1
Yellow pansy Junonia hierta 1
Chocolate pansy Junonia iphita 2
Lemon pansy Junonia lemonias 1
Blue pansy Junonia orithya 1
Lurcher Yoma sabina 1
Malayan eggfly Hypolimnas anomala 1
Great eggfly Hypolimnas bolina 1
Danaid eggfly Hypolimnas misippus Schedule 2
Orange oakleaf, Kallima inachus

Kallimini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Andaman oakleaf Kallima albofasciata Schedule 2, Endemic
Southern blue oakleaf Kallima horsfieldii Schedule 2, Endemic
Orange oakleaf Kallima inachus 2
Cryptic oakleaf Kallima incognita
Scarce blue oakleaf Kallima knyvettii Schedule 2
Autumn leaf, Doleschallia bisaltide

Doleschalliaini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Autumn leaf Doleschallia bisaltide 3 Schedule 2

Melitaeini

Common name Binomial name Subspecies (in India) Comments
Tytler's fritillary Melitaea balbina
Chitral fritillary Melitaea chitralensis
Fiery fritillary Melitaea fergana
Pamir fritillary Melitaea mixta 1
Tien-Shan fritillary Melitaea pallas
Lesser spotted fritillary Melitaea robertsi
Shandur fritillary Melitaea shandura
Blackvein fritillary Melitaea sindura 5

Regional lists

India has 28 states and 8 union territories. The list of butterflies for each state can be found using the index below:

States

Union territories

Non state-wise lists

The following non state-wise lists of butterflies can be found using the index below:

Notes

  1. ^ This butterfly received the most votes out of the seven options in the citizen poll. It is not officially the National Butterfly of India.
  2. ^ Probably does not occur in India, see Synoptic Catalogue of the Butterflies of India, Second Edition, pg 228[3]

References

  1. ^ Kunte, Krushnamegh; Barve, Vijay; Thombre, Divakar; V, Sharan; Consortium, National Butterfly (2021-01-01). Nomination for India's National Butterfly: Report of the National Butterfly Poll (Report). Zenodo.
  2. ^ a b Evans, W.H. (1932). The Identification of Indian Butterflies (2nd ed.). Mumbai, India: Bombay Natural History Society. p. 23.
  3. ^ a b c Synoptic catalogue of the butterflies of India - Second Edition. ISBN 978-81-979604-1-3.
  4. ^ Gay, Thomas; Kehimkar, Isaac David; Punetha, Jagdish Chandra (1992). Common butterflies of India. Nature guides. Bombay: Oxford Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0-19-563164-7.
  5. ^ a b Wynter-Blyth, Mark Alexander (1957). Butterflies of the Indian Region. Bombay Natural History Society.
  6. ^ Smetacek, Peter (2017). A Naturalist's Guide to the Butterflies of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. John Beaufoy Publishing. ISBN 9788175994065.
  7. ^ Kunte, Krushnamegh; Gadgil, Madhav (2000). India, a lifescape: butterflies of Peninsular India. Indian Academy of Sciences. Hyderabad : [S.l.]: Universities Press ; Distributed by Orient Longman. ISBN 978-81-7371-354-5.
  8. ^ Kehimkar, Isaac (2008). The Book of Indian Butterflies. Bombay Natural History Society and Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195696202.
  9. ^ a b "The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022" (PDF). The Gazette of India.