Butterflies are among the most diverse animal species in the world, with approximately 14,000 species worldwide, of which 1,200 are found in China. Do you know which butterfly species are common in China? This article introduces ten common butterfly species in China: Nymphalidae, Lycaenidae, Satyridae, Pieridae, Swallowtails, Dana, Ceratophyllum, Skippers, Parnassus, and Ring Butterflies. Let's take a look at what these butterflies are like. The ranking is for reference only. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment/criticize at the end.
1. Skipper family (370 species in China)
The skipper family (Hemiberleidae) comprises a large number of butterflies, with over 3,000 species worldwide. In China, there are 370 species, including the Common Skipper, Black Skipper, and Striped Skipper, distributed across most of the country. Adult skippers are small and possess the most unique morphology and lifestyle among butterflies. Adult skippers have hooked antennae; both male and female adults have normal forelegs. Skippers are medium to small in size, short and stout, densely covered with scales. Their club-shaped antennae, with the terminal segments tapering to a hook, are a unique characteristic of this family.
2. Nymphalidae (290 species found in China)
Nymphalidae is the most numerous family of butterflies in the world, with over 5,000 species worldwide, including more than 290 known species in China, where they are also very common. Nymphalidae butterflies are generally small to medium-sized, with a few large species. They are richly colored and diverse in form. Their forelegs are reduced to claws, and their wings are folded over their backs for easy identification. Adult Nymphalidae butterflies have particularly robust labial palps, and their antennae are noticeably thickened at the tips. The larvae are hairless but often have fleshy spines, which often lead to them being mistaken for "caterpillars," but they do not sting and can be touched.
3. Lycaenidae (279 species found in China)
Lycaenidae (Grey butterflies) are small butterflies, with over 4,500 species recorded worldwide, including 279 known species in China. They are very common in China, mainly distributed in Henan, Hebei, Tibet, Sichuan, Guangdong, Yunnan, and Hainan provinces. The upper surface of the wings of Lycaenidae butterflies is predominantly gray, brown, or black. Some species have a brilliant metallic sheen in purple, blue, or green on both wings. The colors and patterns on the upper and lower surfaces of the wings are distinctly different, with the lower surface displaying a rich variety of colors and patterns.
4. Butterfly family (260 species in China)
Butterflies of the family Satyridae are typically grayish-brown or dark brown with black and white markings. Their wings often have prominent outer rows of eye-like spots or round spots. Small to medium-sized species have slender bodies, small heads, and dull colors, usually grayish-brown, dark brown, or yellowish-brown, with a few being red or white. This family has over 3,000 known species, found worldwide, with over 260 known species in China, mainly distributed in Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Yunnan provinces. Common species include the Rice-eyed Butterfly and the Snake-eyed Butterfly.
5. Pieridae (130 species found in China)
There are over 1200 known species of Pieridae butterflies, with about 130 species found in my country. They are a common butterfly species in China, including the cabbage white butterfly, the white cabbage white butterfly, the dark-veined cabbage white butterfly, and the tree white butterfly, among others. However, these are all pests. Pieridae butterflies are small to medium-sized. They are typically white or yellow with markings of black, red, and yellow, and the wings of most species appear powdery. Adult Pieridae butterflies have a central pad (suction cup) between their forelegs, allowing them to perch on smooth, vertical surfaces such as glass.
6. Papilionidae (119 species found in China)
Swallowtail butterflies are medium to large-sized, beautiful butterflies, often with a base of black, yellow, and white, adorned with markings of red, blue, green, and yellow. Some species even possess a dazzling metallic sheen of blue, green, and yellow. The hindwings typically have a caudal band, further enhancing their beauty. There are 580 species of Swallowtails worldwide, with 119 found in China, making them a relatively common butterfly species there. The larvae are smooth and hairless, primarily feeding on plants of the Rutaceae and Apiaceae families. They can sometimes be harmful, as seen in species like the Yellow Swallowtail and the Common Mormon. Some species, however, feed exclusively on Aristolochia deliciosa.
7. Papilionidae (35 species found in China)
The Papilionidae family is a group of butterflies. Species belonging to this family generally inhabit high mountains, are highly cold-resistant, have semi-transparent, nearly circular wings, and some fly close to the ground around the snow line. They move slowly and are easy to catch. This family of butterflies is very similar to the Swallowtail family (Papilionidae), and most are medium-sized, white or waxy yellow. There are 52 known species of Papilionidae butterflies worldwide, 35 of which are found in China, including the Apollo Papilionidae, a Class II protected animal in my country. Most of these species are distributed in northwestern China.
8. Dana butterfly family (32 species found in China)
Monarch butterflies are medium to large-sized, beautiful butterflies belonging to the genus *Danopsis* of the family Monarchidae. They have large heads and exposed compound eyes. Their forelegs are vestigial. They are typically black and white with markings of white, red, black, and blue, and some species even possess a brilliant, dazzling metallic purplish-blue sheen. Because of their foul odor, birds do not prey on them, making them a mimicry for other butterflies. There are 150 known species of Monarch butterflies, with 32 recorded in China, including common species such as the Monarch butterfly and the Purple Monarch butterfly.
9. Butterfly family (26 species found in China)
The common cricket butterfly is a small butterfly similar to the common blue cricket, with a small head and long, slender antennae. Most species lack a tail-like projection, while a few species do. Their wings are dark brown or yellowish-red with red or black markings; some species have eye stripes, and a few species have transparent wings. Common cricket butterflies prefer to fly in bright sunlight, flying quickly but not very far, and like to spread their wings when resting. There are over 1300 known species of common cricket butterflies, with 26 species found in China. Common species include the white-banded brown cricket and the white-spotted brown cricket.
10. Ring Butterflies (13 species found in China)
Ring butterflies (Cyclophoridae) are medium to large species, mostly yellowish-brown or grayish-brown in color, with the majority having dull and lackluster hues. A few species possess blue markings and dark purple. Ring butterflies have relatively large wingspans and small bodies. The underside of their wings often features circular markings, hence their name. Records indicate approximately 200 species of ring butterflies worldwide, with 13 species found in my country, and 9 in Guangdong province. Ring butterflies have hairy eyes, slender antennae with a thin club-shaped portion; adult antennae are shorter, gradually thickening towards the tip, but not significantly. The forelegs are degenerate and retracted, with males having only one tarsus. The hindwings have a fragrant scale area.
