Ongoing, feel free to contact me with omitted species and evidence of their availability past or present in the UK. Thanks, Viv.
Acherontia atropos (African death's head hawkmoth) is the most widely known of the three species of death's-head hawkmoth. Acherontia species are notorious for a vaguely skull-shaped pattern on the thorax.
Acraea terpsicore, the tawny coster, is a small, 53–64 millimetres (2.1–2.5 in), leathery, winged butterfly which is common in grassland and scrub habitats. It belongs to the Nymphalidae or brush-footed butterfly family. It has a weak fluttery flight. It is avoided by most insect predators. This species and the yellow coster (Acraea issoria) are the only two Indian ...more ↓
Adelpha cytherea, the smooth-banded sister, is a species of butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. It is found in the Central and South America.
Amathusia phidippus, the palmking, is a butterfly found in India and Southeast Asia. It belongs to the Satyrinae, a subfamily of the brush-footed butterflies.
Amauris ochlea, the novice, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in southern and south-east Africa.
Anartia amathea, the brown peacock or scarlet peacock, is a species of nymphalid butterfly, found primarily in South America. This butterfly is very similar to the banded peacock or Anartia fatima, which primarily exists north of the range of Anartia amathea. The type locality is probably Suriname, and the species is found from Panama to Argentina; Grenada, ...more ↓
Anartia fatima, the banded peacock or Fatima, is a species of butterfly found in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America.
Antheraea pernyi, the Chinese (oak) tussar moth (or "Chinese tasar moth"), also known as temperate tussar moth, is a large moth in the family Saturniidae. Antheraea roylei is an extremely close relative, and the present species might actually have evolved from ancestral A. roylei by chromosome rearrangement.
Archaeoprepona amphimachus, the white-spotted prepona, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found from Mexico to Bolivia. It is found in rainforests and humid deciduous forests at altitudes between sea level and about 1,500 meters.
Archaeoprepona demophon, the one-spotted prepona, banded king shoemaker, or demophon shoemaker is a butterfly belonging to the family Nymphalidae.
Argema mimosae (African moon moth) is a giant silk moth of the Family Saturniidae. Similar in appearance to the giant Madagascan moon moth (Argema mittrei), but smaller, this moth can be found widely in Eastern Africa and more locally in Southern Africa, including near the east coast of South Africa. An adult can measure 10 to 12 centimetres (3.9 to 4.7 in) across ...more ↓
The comet moth (Argema mittrei) or Madagascan moon moth is an African moth, native to the rain forests of Madagascar. The male has a wingspan of twenty centimeters and a tail span of fifteen centimeters, making it one of the world's largest silk moths. The female lays from 120-170 eggs, and after hatching the larvae feed on Eugenia and Weinmannia leaves for approximately ...more ↓
Ariadne ariadne, the angled castor, is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in Asia.
Athyma nefte, the colour sergeant, is a species of brush-footed butterfly found in tropical South and Southeast Asia.
Athyma perius, the common sergeant, is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Atrophaneura semperi is a species of butterfly from the family Papilionidae that is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. It is the type species for the genus.
Attacus atlas (Atlas moth) is a large saturniid moth found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, and is common across the Malay archipelago.
Attacus lorquinii is a moth in the family Saturniidae. It is found in the Philippines.
Automeris belti is a moth of the family Saturniidae. It is found from Mexico to Colombia and Ecuador.
Automeris metzli is a moth of the family Saturniidae. It is found from Mexico to Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador.
Battus belus, the Belus swallowtail is a species of butterfly from the family Papilionidae that is found in Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru and Venezuela.
Battus crassus, the Crassus swallowtail, is a species of butterfly from the family Papilionidae.
Battus polydamas, also known as the gold rim swallowtail, the Polydamas swallowtail or the tailless swallowtail, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 10th edition of Systema Naturae, published in 1758.
Biblis hyperia, the red rim or crimson-banded black, is a species of brush-footed butterfly (family Nymphalidae) that is native to the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas in the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America as far south as Paraguay. It is monotypic in the genus Biblis.
Bunaea alcinoe /bjuːˈniːə ælˈsɪnoʊiː/ or the Cabbage tree emperor moth is an African moth species belonging to the family Saturniidae. Larva Final instar about 70mm in length and about 15mm in diameter. 'Ground colour deep velvety black; each somite, from 4th to 12th, bearing eight white/yellow tubercular processes, two subdorsally, two laterally, and four (in two ...more ↓
Bunaea aslauga, the Madagascar emperor moth, is an African moth species belonging to the family Saturniidae. It has been found in Kenya and in Madagascar
Caligo atreus, the yellow-edged giant owl, is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. The species can be found from Mexico to Peru.
Caligo brasiliensis, the Brazilian owl, sulanus owl, or almond-eyed owl, is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. The species can be found in most of South America as various subspecies, including Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. Its range extends through Trinidad, Honduras, Guatemala and Panama north to Mexico.
Caligo eurilochus, the forest giant owl, is an owl butterfly (tribe Brassolini of nymphalid subfamily Morphinae) ranging from Mexico, through Central America, to the Amazon River basin in South America. The type locality is Suriname.
Caligo illioneus, the Illioneus giant owl, is an owl butterfly belonging to the nymphalid family, Morphinae subfamily, tribe Brassolini.
Caligo telamonius is a brush-footed butterfly (family Nymphalidae). The species was first described by Cajetan von Felder and Rudolf Felder in 1862. It is found in southern North America, Central America, and South America.
Catonephele numilia, the blue-frosted banner, blue-frosted Catone, Grecian shoemaker or stoplight Catone, is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family found in Central and South America.
Catonephele orites, the orange-banded shoemaker butterfly, is a species of butterfly found throughout the northern coast of South America and into Central America.
Catopsilia pomona, the common emigrant or lemon emigrant, is a medium-sized pierid butterfly found in Asia and parts of Australia. The species gets its name from its habit of migration. Some early authors considered them as two distinct species Catopsilia crocale and Catopsilia pomona.
Cerura vinula, the puss moth, is a lepidopteran from the family Notodontidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.
Cethosia biblis, the red lacewing, is a species of heliconiine butterfly belonging to the family Nymphalidae.
Cethosia cyane, the leopard lacewing, is a species of heliconiine butterfly found from India to southern China (southern Yunnan), and Indochina. Its range has expanded in the last few decades, and its arrival in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula, including Singapore, is relatively recent.
Cethosia hypsea, the Malay lacewing, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in from Burma to Indonesia and the Philippines.
Charaxes acuminatus, the pointed pearl charaxes or mountain pearl charaxes, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The habitat consists of montane forests mostly at altitudes above 1,800 meters.
Charaxes brutus, the white-barred emperor or white-barred Charaxes, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in Africa (see subspecies section for detailed information).
Charaxes candiope, the green-veined emperor or green-veined charaxes, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
Charaxes castor, the giant emperor or giant charaxes, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found throughout the Afrotropical ecozone below the Sahel.
Charaxes cithaeron, the blue-spotted emperor or blue-spotted charaxes, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in south-east Africa.
Charaxes etesipe, the savannah charaxes or scarce forest emperor, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
Charaxes guderiana, the blue-spangled emperor, Guderian's charaxes or blue-spangled charaxes, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in southern Africa. The habitat is Brachystegia woodland.
Charaxes lasti, the silver-striped charaxes, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania. The habitat consists of coastal and sub-coastal forests and heavy woodland.
Charaxes pollux, the black-bordered charaxes, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae.
Charaxes protoclea, the flame-bordered emperor or flame-bordered charaxes, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found Subsaharan Africa.
Euxanthe tiberius is a butterfly in the Nymphalidae family. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania. The habitat consists of lowland evergreen forests, including coastal forests.
Charaxes varanes, the pearl emperor, Karkloof emperor, or pearl charaxes, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae, found in Africa from Saudi Arabia to South Africa.
Charaxes violetta, the violet-spotted emperor or violet-spotted charaxes, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in southern Africa.
Euxanthe wakefieldi, the forest queen, is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. It is found in South Africa, from KwaZulu-Natal to Swaziland and the north-eastern Limpopo, north into eastern Africa.
Euxanthe wakefieldi, the forest queen, is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. It is found in South Africa, from KwaZulu-Natal to Swaziland and the north-eastern Limpopo, north into eastern Africa.
Colobura dirce, the Dirce beauty, mosaic or zebra mosaic, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in Central America and northern South America.
Consul fabius, the tiger leafwing, is the most common and well known species of the genus Consul of subfamily Charaxinae in the brush-footed butterfly family (Nymphalidae). It is found all over the Neotropics.
Danaus chrysippus, also known as the plain tiger or African monarch, is a medium-sized butterfly widespread in Asia and Africa. It belongs to the Danainae subfamily of the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. Danainae primarily consume plants in the genus Asclepias, more commonly called milkweed. Milkweed contains toxic compounds, cardenolides, which ...more ↓
Danaus genutia, the common tiger, is one of the common butterflies of India. It belongs to the "crows and tigers", that is, the Danainae group of the brush-footed butterflies family. The butterfly is also called striped tiger in India to differentiate it from the equally common plain tiger, Danaus chrysippus.
The monarch butterfly or simply monarch (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly (subfamily Danainae) in the family Nymphalidae. Other common names depending on region include milkweed, common tiger, wanderer, and black veined brown. It may be the most familiar North American butterfly, and is considered an iconic pollinator species. Its ...more ↓
Daphnis nerii, the oleander hawk-moth or army green moth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. It was described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.
Delias descombesi, the redspot Jezebel is a medium-sized butterfly of the family Pieridae, that is, the yellows and whites.
Delias hyparete, the painted Jezebel, is a medium-sized butterfly of the family Pieridae, found in South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Dione juno, the Juno silverspot, juno longwing, or Juno heliconian, is a species of butterfly of the subfamily Heliconiinae in the family Nymphalidae found from southern United States to South America.
Doleschallia bisaltide, the autumn leaf, is a nymphalid butterfly found in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australasia. In Australia it is also known as the leafwing.
Dophla evelina, the redspot duke, is a species of brush-footed butterfly found in South and Southeast Asia (Sri Lanka, Yunnan and India to the Philippines and Sulawesi). Many subspecies are accepted.
Dryadula is a monotypic genus of the butterfly family Nymphalidae. Its single species, Dryadula phaetusa, known as the banded orange heliconian, banded orange, or orange tiger, is native from Brazil to central Mexico, and in summer can be found rarely as far north as central Florida. Its wingspan ranges from 86 to 89 mm, and it is colored a ...more ↓
Dryas iulia (often incorrectly spelled julia), commonly called the Julia butterfly, Julia heliconian, the flame, or flambeau, is a species of brush-footed butterfly (known as Nymphalidae). The sole representative of its genus Dryas, it is native from Brazil to southern Texas and Florida, and in summer can sometimes be found as far ...more ↓
Eacles imperialis (imperial moth) is a Nearctic member of the family Saturniidae and subfamily Ceratocampinae. The wingspan of an adult is between 80–175 mm (3 1⁄8 and 6 7⁄8 inches).
Elymnias hypermnestra, the common palmfly, is a species of satyrine butterfly found in South and Southeast Asia.
Eryphanis automedon, the Automedon giant owl, is a species of butterfly belonging to the Nymphalidae family.
Eueides isabella, the Isabella's longwing or Isabella's heliconian, is a species of nymphalid butterfly, belonging to the Heliconiinae subfamily.
Euphaedra neophron, or the gold banded forester, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in eastern and southern Africa.
Euploea core, the common crow, is a common butterfly found in South Asia and Australia. In India it is also sometimes referred to as the common Indian crow, and in Australia as the Australian crow. It belongs to the crows and tigers subfamily Danainae (Danaini tribe).
Eurema hecabe, a.k.a. the large grass yellow or common grass yellow, is a small pierid butterfly species found in Asia and Africa. They are found flying close to the ground and are found in open grass and scrub habitats. It is simply known as "the grass yellow" in parts of its range; the general term otherwise refers to the entire genus Eurema.
Euthalia monina, the powdered baron or Malay baron is a species of nymphalid butterfly.
Graphium agamemnon, the tailed jay, is a predominantly green and black tropical butterfly that belongs to the swallowtail family. The butterfly is also called the green-spotted triangle, tailed green jay, or green triangle. It is a common, non-threatened species native to Nepal, India, Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia and Australia. Several geographic ...more ↓
Graphium angolanus, the Angola white lady, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae (swallowtails). It is found in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Graphium antheus, the large or larger striped swordtail, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae (swallowtails), found in tropical and sub-Saharan Africa.
Graphium colonna, the black swordtail or mamba swordtail, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae (swallowtails). It is found in Africa.
Graphium doson, the common jay, is a black, tropical papilionid (swallowtail) butterfly with pale blue semi-transparent central wing bands that are formed by large spots. There is a marginal series of smaller spots. The underside of wings is brown with markings similar to upperside but whitish in colour. The sexes look alike. The species was first described by father and ...more ↓