Italy , with its diverse landscapes , offers a rich canvas for nature ’s artistry , and among its most enchanting residents are the butterfly that ornament its sky . The butterflies of Italy mold a kaleidoscope of colors , patterns , and bionomic significance , contributing to the country ’s vibrant biodiversity .
research this clause to learn about 35 unlike species of butterfly stroke that can be found in Italy , along with pictures and identification peak .
Different types of Butterflies in Italy
Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)
The Common Blue , a captivating butterfly stroke regain throughout Italy , boasts vivacious blue wings . Thriving in divers home ground , from grasslands to urban surface area , it enchants with its striking appearance — males flaunt brilliant blue upper wing , while females exhibit brownish wings with a hint of blue . With a wingspan of 30 - 35 mm , these modest butterflies , feeding on nectar from thistle and trefoil , multiply twice a yr , completing their life sentence cycles/second in 3 - 4 weeks . horde flora , let in bird’s - foot trefoil and clover , sustain their maturation .
Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus)
The Adonis Blue , a captivating butterfly in Italy , flourish in sunny chalky grasslands . male flaunt dazzling blasphemous wing , while females summercater dark-brown with orange crescents . With a wingspread of 30 - 40 mm , these humble to average - sized butterfly feed on nectar from plants like marjoram and thyme . Their short week - retentive lifespan blossom amid the host works , horseshoe vetch . prize these inside information enhances the allurement of the Adonis Blue for butterfly enthusiasts .
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
The Painted Lady , a widespread butterfly stroke in Italy , is renowned for its migrant prowess . In gardens , hayfield , and woodlands , it stands out with orange wings grace withblack and whitetips . With a 5 - 9 cm wingspan , it ’s intermediate - sized , feeding on nectar and lay around 500 egg per lifespan . Thriving on thistle , mallow , and nettles , this adaptable species fascinate both partizan and casual observer in Italy ’s diverse habitats .
Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
The Red Admiral , a sensational butterfly native to Italy , showcases vivacious colouration and far-flung adaptability . With a 45 - 50 mm wingspan , it thrive in woodland edge , parks , and gardens , feeding on ambrosia from thistle and aster . Their spirit oscillation , from single eggs on nettle leaves to vibrant butterflies , spread out in about four to five hebdomad . The common nettle villein as a primary emcee , contributing to the Red Admiral ’s resilience and vibrant presence in Italian landscapes .
Comma (Polygonia c-album)
The Comma , a catch butterfly in Italy , entices with jagged annex edges and a distinctive ‘ C ’ marking . prosper in garden and woodlands , it displays intricate practice in orange , brown , and black , resemble fallen leaves . With a 45 - 55 millimetre wingspan , it feeds on thistles and nettles , undergoing two generations each yr . Recognizing its curt 2 - 3 workweek life adds to the temptingness of encountering this remarkable species in Italy ’s outdoors .
Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia)
The Silver - washed Fritillary , or Argynnis paphia , aboriginal to Italy , blow vibrant orangish wings adorned with dark markings . In deciduous woodlands and clearing , it flourish with a 54 - 70 mm wingspan . adult fertilise on thistle , while caterpillars Edvard Munch onviolet leaves . Their 2 - 3 week lifetime unfolds in the wild , adding temptingness to your woodland walks in Italy .
Peacock (Aglais io)
The Peacockbutterfly , a vibrant species in Italy , grace woodland edges , meadows , garden , and parks . With a wingspan of 5 - 6 centimeters , its upper flank tout a spectacular combination of red , dismal , yellow , and bleak , mimicking a peacock butterfly ’s feathers . These long - survive butterflies , with a lifespan of up to 11 calendar month , lie eggs on stinging nettle and occasionally hop , kick in to their enchanting comportment in Italy ’s divers landscape painting .
Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
The Speckled Wood butterfly stroke , a charm front in Italy , thrives in wooded areas and diverse surroundings , showcasing brown flank with cream - colored grading and fleck . With a 4 - 4.4 cm wingspan , it feed on honeydew , nectar , and once in a while decompose yield . Two to three generation per facts of life season lay eggs on various grasses in the Poaceae family . grownup butterfly , living for about a calendar month , lead to Italy ’s productive butterfly stroke variety .
Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)
The Scarce Swallowtail , a majestic butterfly stroke in Italy ’s skies , flourish in warm , open domain like meadows and orchards . With a wingspread of 8 - 10 centimeter , it displays strike black and white patterns , grace with blue and red spots . Feeding on thistle , scabiosa , and lavender , its 3 - 4 week grownup life unfold amidst Pyrus communis and cerise trees , the preferred host plants for its larva . meet the Scarce Swallowtail in Italy is a magical experience , adding natural beauty to your geographic expedition .
Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
The Holly Blue , a charming butterfly in Italy , shop woodland , hedgerow , and gardens . With delicate aristocratic hues , males ostentate vibrant colours , while females have a broader fatal border . Their small sizing , 24 - 35 millimetre wingspread , makes them easy recognizable . Feeding on floral nectar and laying eggs on holly and ivy , these butterflies have two broods per year , contributing to their presence in Italy ’s diverse landscape .
Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
The Small Heath , a charm butterfly in Italy , decorate grassland and meadows with its warm orange - dark-brown wings adorned with fragile patterns . With a minor 25 - 30 mm wingspread , it feed on ambrosia from blossom like clover and daisies . Mating in summertime , females lie ball on horde plants , and their life story cycle , including the larval stage , spans a duad of weeks to a calendar month . Caterpillar prosper on Mary Jane species such as sheep ’s fescue and meadow foxtail .
Marbled White (Melanargia galathea)
The Marbled White , a beguile butterfly aboriginal to Italy , graces meadows , chalk downs , and woodland clearings with its unique smutty and white wing pattern resembling marbled design . With a 3.4 - 4.8 cm wingspan , they feed on nectar frompurple flowerslike thistles and knapweeds . Their enrapture aeriform mating ritual and the subsequent testicle - laying on grass leave contribute to their hypnotise comportment . Adult Marbled Whites , with a lifespan of around two hebdomad , come forth after a three to four - week pupal period . Caterpillars flourish on various grasses , particularly crimson fescue and sheep ’s fescue .
Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)
The Meadow Brown , a widespread butterfly in Italy , thrives in grassland , meadow , and undetermined spaces . With brown wing , male display circular black - bordered eye spots , while female boast orange tree piece along wing edges . average - sized with a 33 - 55 millimetre wingspread , they feed on thistle and knapweed flowers . reproduce in early summer , females lay eggs on green goddess blades , and caterpillars emerge after two hebdomad , feed on smoke . The total life history bicycle takes about one year , and adults live for around two weeks . pasturage like Festuca elatior and meadow grasses serve as host works , nourish the caterpillars .
Southern White Admiral (Limenitis reducta)
The Southern White Admiral , a charm butterfly stroke in Italy , flourish in sunny wooded areas , oak and hornbeam forests , and Mediterranean scrubland . With a 60 - 70 mm wingspan , its upper annexe showcase dark brown with white band , while the underside boast a pallid , creamy color with brown markings and blue eyespot . give on flower nectar and meeting house leaves , its average adult lifetime is around 20 days , with a complete life oscillation last approximately two month . Varioustypes of meeting house service as favorite host plantsfor this remarkable metal money .
Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
The Small Copper butterfly stroke , a vibrant sight in Italy , expand in sunny hayfield , field , gardens , and heathland . With a 30 - 35 mm wingspan , it show off metallic orange upper wings with a bold black border and brownish - gray undersides with fateful spots . Feeding on ambrosia from thistles , daisy , and brambles , these butterfly undergo two or three generation each year , laying egg on server plant . Their adult lifespan is around three to four weeks , and the overall lifecycle spans several months . Larvae primarily give on sheep ’s sorrel and unwashed sorrel . Keep an eye out for this vibrant coinage on your next Italian adventure !
Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina)
The Duke of Burgundy butterfly , aboriginal to Italy , embellish woodland clearings , scrubby grasslands , and flowery meadows on limestone - rich soils . With a wingspread of 29 - 34 millimetre , it flaunts orange - brown wings with black spots and intricate light-green - gray-headed patterns on the hindwing ’s underside . adult feed on flower nectar , while caterpillars Edvard Munch on Primula leave of absence . A single female can consist around 100 eggs on host plant like marsh marigold and primroses . Their adult stage survive about three week , contributing to the unequaled mantrap and ecologic balance of Italy ’s landscapes .
White Admiral (Limenitis camilla)
The White Admiral , a entrance butterfly in Italy , thrives in deciduous woodlands with abundant host plants . With a wingspan of 6 - 6.5 cm , it flaunts dark wing with distinctive white bands and intricate patterns on the undersides , adorned with center - catching risque idiom . feed on aphid honeydew and ambrosia from bramble , thistles , and knapweed , these butterfly stroke have a individual propagation annually , with mating and egg - laying in summertime . The adult degree lasts about 3 weeks , and honeysuckle serves as the primary horde flora for their larval stage , contributing to the unequalled beauty of Italy ’s instinctive landscapes .
Short-tailed Blue (Cupido argiades)
The Short - tailed Blue , a charming butterfly in Italy , thrives in meadows , grassland , and forest clearings , as well as gardens and parks . With a wingspan of 22 - 27 millimeter , it showcases bright blue flank with a distinctive snowy fringe and a short tail on the hind extension . Feeding on flower nectar , their courtship display and mating last about 30 minutes , followed by nut - egg laying on suitable host plants . The mediocre lifespan is around 3 to 4 hebdomad , and larvae contribute to the ecosystem by feed on works like trefoil , alfalfa , and vetch . understand their home ground and life cycle enhances our grasp for the dead - go after Blue in Italy ’s divers landscape .
Heath Fritillary (Melitaea athalia)
The Heath Fritillary , a captivating butterfly stroke in Italy , thrives in grassland , heathlands , and open timberland , preferring cheery patch for sun . With a 32 - 42 mm wingspread , it displays a stunning annexe radiation diagram of orange and brown hues with black markings . Nectar - loving adult fee on plant like thistle , scabious , and knapweed . conjugation occurs in the afternoon , followed by egg - laying on the underside of hostplant leaves . The intermediate grownup lifetime is 2 - 4 weeks , and their complete lifespan cycle from egg to adult twain about 7 - 8 weeks . favourite host plants include moo-cow - straw and ripple-grass plantain tree , sustaining their larva .
Dark Green Fritillary (Speyeria aglaja)
The Dark Green Fritillary , a captivating butterfly stroke in Italy , thrive in various habitats like grassland , meadows , forest clearings , and coastal dunes . With a wingspan of 5 - 6.5 centimeters , it boasts a dark green underwing with silver spot and undimmed orange upper wing with black markings . Feeding on thistles , knapweed , and scabious , adult lend to the ecosystem ’s biodiversity . Mating in summer , females lay eggs on violets , and the intact life cycles/second takes about a year . Marsh violet and wiener reddish blue are crucial horde plants for their Caterpillar . Explore Italy ’s landscapes and distinguish these fascinating Dark Green Fritillaries .
High Brown Fritillary (Fabriciana adippe)
The High Brown Fritillary , scientifically love as Fabriciana adippe , is a captivating butterfly found in Italy . Preferring warm clearings in timber and meadows , they showcase a beautiful combining of browned and orange wing with black spots . With a medium - sized wingspan of 50 - 65 mm , they principally run on nectar from flowers like thistles and brambles . Their short adult lifespan of a few week and reliance on reddish blue as emcee plant for their larvae make them a truly noteworthy coinage in Italian landscapes .
Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros)
The Large Tortoiseshell , a captivating butterfly found in Italy , thrives in deciduous woodlands , grove , park , and garden . recognisable by its vivacious Orange River forewing , black marking , and blue spots on the hindwing , it boasts a wingspan of 68 - 80 millimetre . While adults feed in on nectar , caterpillars consumeleaves of host plantslike elm and fruit Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Females lay ballock on these plant , and their life-time ranges from weeks to months , work by environmental factors . Keep an eye out for this remarkable mintage during your explorations of Italy ’s landscapes .
Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron)
The Purple - shot Copper , a captivating butterfly in Italy , thrives in meadows , timberland clearings , and grassy field . Males boast undimmed regal iridescent mark on copper upper wings , while females show bronze - chocolate-brown wing with orangish mark . With a wingspread of 25 - 35 millimeters , they are medium - sized butterflies . Feeding on ambrosia from various bloom , grownup lie single bollock on or near host works , commonly rozelle and dock . The butterfly stroke ’s short grownup lifespan of 2 - 3 workweek contrast with its entire liveliness cycle , traverse over a year . Explore Italy ’s natural beauty to witness this singular butterfly .
Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)
The Clouded Yellow , or Colias croceus , is a aboriginal Italian butterfly stroke known for its vibrant yellow wings with smutty edges and distinctive scoring . establish in capable grassland , hayfield , garden , and fields , this medium - sized butterfly , with a wingspread of 60 - 75 mm , adds a burst of color to sunny landscapes . Feeding on nectar from various flowers and set eggs on host plants like wild leaf mustard and usual clover , the Clouded Yellow is a captivating sight during its brief three - week grownup lifetime . Keep an eye out for this charming butterfly stroke on your Italian adventures .
Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
The Brimstone butterfly , native to Italy , beautify opened spaces like meadows and gardens with its vibrant presence . Recognizable by its distinctive white-livered - light-green wings , this average - sized species , with a wingspan of 50 - 55 millimeter , brings a dash of color to the landscape . Feeding on ambrosia from various flowers as adult and consuming buckthorn and alder tree ribgrass leave-taking as Caterpillar , Brimstones play a vital function in Italy ’s biodiversity . Keep an eye out for these enamour butterflies during your Italian explorations !
Green-veined White (Pieris napi)
The enchanting Green - vein White butterfly stroke is a frequent visitant in Italy , gracing various home ground from damp grasslands to garden . Its finespun white wings , adorned with green vein , contribute to Italy ’s natural beauty . These adaptable butterflies , vital for biodiversity , display a wingspan wander from 4 to 5.5 centimetre . Take prison term to search and appreciate their comportment in meadows and clearings during your Italian journey .
Small White (Pieris rapae)
The Small White , or Small Cabbage White , is a common butterfly stroke in Italy , flourish in gardens , parking area , and meadows . recognise by its livid wing with black tips , these butterflies have a wingspan of 3.2 to 4.6 cm . Caterpillar feed on cruciferous plants like dinero , while adults savour ambrosia from peak . The Small White ’s life cycle span around three hebdomad as an adult .
Large White (Pieris brassicae)
The Large White , or Cabbage White , is a widespread butterfly in Italy , recognized for its white wings with mordant tips . Found in gardens and farmlands , these butterfly have a wingspread of 5 to 7 centimeters . Their sprightliness wheel , from egg to adult , takes about 6 weeks , and they primarily rely on Brassica plants like cabbage for nutrition . Adult LargeWhites provender on flowernectar and dwell for 2 - 3 workweek .
Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
The Orange Tip , a vibrant butterfly , adds a outburst of coloration to Italy ’s landscapes during saltation . male showcase come to orange wingtips , while females march a subtler off - white-hot . Found in grassland and meadows , they feed on nectar and lay egg on Brassicaceae plants like garlic Indian mustard . With a wingspread of 35 - 55 mm , these average - sized butterfly have a class - retentive life , from egg to adult . bask spot these charming butterflies as they contribute to the dish of Italy ’s natural surround .
Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
The Swallowtail , a captivating butterfly in Italy , parade vibrant coloration and patterns . With its distinct appearance and adaptability to various environment , this mintage is a natural beauty . Recognizable by its striking yellow and dim wing with blue , crimson , and orange accents , the Swallowtail has a wingspread of 3 - 4 inches . In its adult stage , it feast on nectar from blossom like milkweed and thistles . The female lay eggs on legion plant such as fennel and Petroselinum crispum , and the entire biography cycle lasts 1 to 4 weeks . Encounter the Swallowtail in open hayfield , garden , and woodland , appreciating its unequalled traits and contribution to Italy ’s biodiversity .
the great unwashed Who Read This Also Read :
