Indian Butterflies
Butterflies along with moths make up one of the major insect orders or groups known as Lepidoptera.
This site is a basic photographic guide to the Butterflies found in India.
All butterflies are scientifically classified according to Families.
BUTTERFLY FAMILIES
Papilionidae - The Swallowtails
Papilionidae, the swallowtail butterfly family, consists of about 550 species of which 84 are found in India. Most swallowtails are large, brilliantly coloured and extremely beautiful. Butterflies from this family are commonly found in both tropical and temperate habitats.
Nymphalidae - The Brush-footed Butterflies
The Brush-footed family is the largest butterfly family in the world, consisting of several thousand species. The butterflies are medium to large sized and can be extremely diverse in nature. In India there are about 480 species from this family. This family includes the subfamily Danainae, the milkweed butterflies.
Pieridae - The Whites and Yellows
Butterflies from this family are predominantly White or Yellow in colour along with black markings.Their flight is rapid and they move erratically from plant to plant. 81 Species from this family are found in India.
Riodinidae - The Metalmarks
The metalmark butterflies get their name from the small metallic looking spots that are commonly found on their wings. In India these butterflies are commonly known as the Punches & Judies. There are about 1000 species of metalmark butterflies worldwide of which only 16 are found in India.
Lycaenidae - The Gossamer-Winged Butterflies
Butterflies of this family are small, mostly under 5 cm. Their flight is rapid and erratic and very close to the ground. Subfamilies include The Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks and Harverstes.
Hesperiidae - The Skipper Butterflies 
A family of generally small butterflies with short stout bodies and a characteristic rapid, skipping flight. They actively feed on flower nectar and most species have proboscises that are much longer than butterflies of any other family. Skippers are very difficult to identify in the field and require close examination and study for specie level identification.
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