Butterfly Scientific Name

Butterflies are insects that fall under the suborder Rhopalocera, from the order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Butterflies have evolved from moths, with the earliest fossil evidence being traced back to the Archaeolepis mane, a 190 million-year-old moth. Butterflies showcase tremendous diversity, with close to 17,500 species being identified to date.

Butterfly Families

• Hesperiidae
  • Example: Skippers
• Lycaenidae
  • Example: Gossamer-winged butterflies (Hairstreaks, Coppers and Blues)
• Nymphalidae
  • Example: Brush-footed Butterflies (Monarchs, Satyrs, Emperors, Longwings, Milkweeds)
• Papilionidae
  • Example: Swallowtails (Black Swallowtails, tiger swallowtails)
• Pieridae
  • Example: Whites and Sulphurs (Cabbage white, Psyche butterfly, Orange-tip, Cloudless sulphur)
• Riodinidae
  • Example: Metalmarks

Scientific Names of Well-know Butterfly Species

Also Read:

• Butterfly Life Cycle: Introduction, Metamorphosis & FAQs
• Scientific Names of the Most Common Animals and Plants
• Herbivorous & Carnivorous Animals – Characteristics & Examples
• Mammalia – Characteristics and Classification Of Mammals

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