Most of the following images, accesible by selecting the thumbnails, are between 20 and 40 K in size.
Eversmannia exornata (Ev.) is the only known representative of the tropical family Epiplemidae (Lepidoptera) in West Palearctic. This speciemen, taken near Yaroslavl, represents the northern-most and western-most record for the species. It appears to be undergoing an expansion of its range. In the first 80 years or do of this century there were only a hadful of records from European Russia and West Siberia whereas in the last 15 years there has been a steady increase in both the number of sities and the number of specimens collected.
This species feeds on different species of willow (Salix) and is found in bogs. It is nocturnal and during the day rests on the underside of leaves, usually willows.
One of the commonest blues throughout Europe. It is found in grassy, open environments. There are two to three generations which are found from May to September. The larvae feed on many plants, particularly legumes and heather. The species overwinters as a larva.
This species is found from Panama south through Peru and Bolivia and east to Venezuela. They are often to be seen on damp sand or mud along the banks of streams.
Very common and widespread throughout the British Isles and most of Europe. Occurs in many habitats, even in montaine areas. It is found flying between June and August and is double- or triple-brooded. The larvae over winter and feed only on Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica.
Name: Anartia amathea -- Coolie Butterfly
Family: Nymphalidae
Location: Port of Spain, Trinidad - December, 1978
Photographer: Christopher Majka
South America and the West Indies. This species is widespread and common throughout its range and is frequently seen visiting flowers. The caterpillars feed on species of Acanthaceae. It is closely related to A. fatima, which is found from southern Texas to Panama.
Name: Anartia fatima -- Brown Peacock
Family: Nymphalidae
Location: Central America
Photographer:
This very common species is found from southern Texas to Panama where it is replaced by A_amathea is South America. It is found very commonly in many types of disturbed habitat along forest edges and in riparian habitats. Both males and females are quite active throughout the day and disperse widely. Even though adults live only for two to four weeks, the butterflies can be found in many areas throughout the year. There numbers fluctuate considerably as a result of changes to habitat. There is considerable yellow-white polymorphism as a result of both genetic and environmental (aging) factors. The larvae feed on plants of the family Acanthaceae including Blechum, Justicia, Dicliptera and Ruellia.
Name: Euptoieta hegesia hoffmanni -- Mexican Fritillary
Family: Nymphalidae
Location: Puerto Morales, Costa Rica - March 5, 1991.
Photographer: Christopher Majka
This is an abundant butterfly which is found from the southern United States throughout central America and the West Indies. It occurs from sea level to altitudes of 1,200 m in open, weedy areas, especially those associated with cattle. The adults are active all day and fly with a rapid zig-zag course, often interacting with other butterflies. In some areas of the United States and Mexico they are migratory. The larvae feed on Turnera ulmnifolia.
Name: Inachis io -- Peacock
Family: Nymphalidae
Location: Pereslavl National Park, Russia - July, 1995.
Photographer: Maxim Klepikov
Very common throughout Europe and across Asia to Japan, this species frequents gardens and edges of woodlands. One generation which can be found from the middle of July until the following May or June. The larvae, which are a velvet black covered with white dots and long, black spines, feed mainly on stinging nettle, but will occasionally take hops. The eyespots which 'flash' when the wings open and close are believed to be a device for scaring off possible predators. There is a distinct subspecies in Japan.
Name: Limenitis populi -- Great Poplar Butterfly
Family: Nymphalidae
Location: Kukhmar, Pereslavl National Park, Russia - June 20, 1995.
Photographer: Maxim Klepikov
This butterfly is to be see flying in woodland country during June and July. It is single brooded and the caterpillar feeds on poplar and aspen. It overwinters in a hibernaculum attached to the food plant. The adults like to sit on the earth and sip from decomposing matter.
Name: Nymphalis antiopa -- Mourning Cloak (NA) or Camberwell
Beauty (England)
Family: Nymphalidae
Location: Zakopane, Poland - August, 1986
Photographer: Christopher Majka
A very widely distributed butterfly. It is found across northern Asia, across Europe and throughout North America south of the tundra south to central Mexico. They are found in a wide variety of habitats in forests, along rivers, in parks and woodland glades. It is one of the longest lived butterflies, surviving 10-11 months. Adults emerge in June or July, feed during the summer and fall, overwinter as adults and lay eggs in the spring. There is some migration. The larvae feed on willows, birch, elm, cottonwood and hackberry. In Britain it is known as the Camberwell Beauty since it was first discovered in the village of Camberwell on a horse-drawn bus.
Name: Melitaea athalea -- Heath Fritillary
Family: Nymphalidae
Location: Mazury, Poland - May, 1979
Photographer: Christopher Majka
Found locally in many parts of Europe. Commoner in some areas of central Europe such as France and Switzerland. It is single brooded and the adults are found on the wing in June and July. The larvae feed on cow-wheat, Melampyrum, and hibernate over the winter.
Name: Polygonia faunus -- Green Comma
Family: Nymphalidae
Location: Cape Split, Nova Scotia, Canada - September, 1988
Photographer: Christopher Majka
This Comma is found in the boreal zone of North America south of the tundra. There is a separate isolated population in the southern Appalachians. It is found in coniferous and mixed forests and along wood roads. The adults emerge late in the summer, hibernate and reproduce the following spring living 9-10 months. The larvae feed on willows, birches, alder, gooseberries and blueberries. The name derives from a silver comma-shaped marking on the underside of the hindwing.
Name: Polygonia interrogationis -- Question Mark
Family: Nymphalidae
Location: Cape Split, Nova Scotia, Canada - September, 1988
Photographer: Christopher Majka
This butterfly is found largely south of the boreal zone in eastern and central North America, east of 60 degrees W. and south to central Mexico. They are found in woods, swamps, parks and other wooded locations. There are two broods; late fall to early spring (the winter form) and late spring to summer (summer form). They are quick and energetic flyers and in some areas there is considerable migration. The larvae feed on nettle, false nettle, Japanese hops, elm and hackberry. The name stems from a silver 'question mark' on the underside of the hindwing.
Name: Siproeta epaphus -- Malachite (?)
Family: Nymphalidae
Location: Costa Rica.
Photographer: Christopher Majka
It is found between Mexico and Peru. Occurs commonly from 400 to 1,500 meters on mountain slopes on both Atlantic and Pacific coasts., in association with wet forest habitats that do not have pronounced dry season. Frequently seen along forest edges and rivers. Males visit wet sand at landslips and river crossings. Frequently found with clear bird-beak markings, and occasionally seen to be chased by birds. The larvae feed on plants of the genera Ruellia and Blechum in the Acanthus family
Name: Siproeta stelenes biplagiata -- Malachite
Family: Nymphalidae
Location: Ricon de la Vieja, Costa Rica - March 15, 1991.
Photographer: Christopher Majka
This species is found from the southern United States to the Amazon Basin and is one of the most familiar butterflies in all central America. It is found from sea level to an altitude of 1,400 m frequenting many habitats but especially open second-growth forests where it visits flowers, dung, carrion or rotting fruit. It is considered by some to be a mimic of Philathria dido and by others of Heliconius charitonius. The larvae feed on plants of the Acanthus family, particularly Ruellia, Justicia, and Blechum.
Name: Speyeria lathonia -- Queen of Spain Fritillary
Family: Nymphalidae
Location: Kashubian Lakes, Poland - May, 1979
Photographer: Christopher Majka
This species is not uncommon in many areas in southern and central Europe. It is distinguished by its particularly brilliant silver spots on the underside of the hindwings. It is a fast flier that is found on the wing in July and August. It feeds on Heartsease (Viola tricolor)and overwinters as a larva (occasionally as chrysalis).
Name: Vanessa atalanta -- Red Admiral
Family: Nymphalidae
Location: Cape Split, Nova Scotia, Canada - September, 1988
Photographer: Christopher Majka
A very widespread butterfly found in Holarctic regions of Asia and Europe and across North America south of the taiga south to the Mexican highlands and Guatemala. Found in many open and partly wooded habitats, often in areas that are moist or marshy. It exhibits considerable migration, colonizing the northern parts of its range on an annual basis. There are two broods, a spring one in March and April and a fall one September and October. The larvae feed on nettle, false nettle and pellitory.
This is one of the most widely distributed butterflies of temperate Eurasia. It is typical of meadowlands and mountainsides up to an elevation of 4,250 meters. It varies geographically in colour pattern. There is also some seasonal and individual variation. It is often double-brooded and is seen on the wing between May and August. The caterpillar feed on the foliage of fennel, wild carrot and other species of the Family Umbelliferae.
Name: Trogonoptera brookiana -- Birdwing
Family: Papilionidae
Location: Palawan, Philippines.
Photographer: unknown
This is among the largest of the rainforest butterflies with a wingspan of up to 155 mm. The males (pictured) are much more frequently observed than are the femailes which spend most of their time high in the rainforest canopy. The foodplant is unknown.
This butterfly is found both in Holarctic regions of Asia and Europe and in the boreal zone of North America south of the tundra, south to New Mexico in the Rocky Mts. There is an isolated population on the coast of Labrador. In the northern there is one brood, while in more southern areas there are two. The larvae feed on many plants in the Mustard Family, hence the name. The species overwinters as a larva.
This sphinx owes its name from its habit of hovering, like a hummingbird, at flowers from which it sips nectar. In contrast to many sphinx moths it is diurnal in its habits. When it emerges from the chrysalis its wings are covered with scales but these are loose attached in the central areas of the wings and they soon fall off. It is found throughout North America as far north as Alaska and the Northwest Territories. The larvae feed on hawthorns, cherries, honeysuckles and snowberry.