UK Butterflies - Taxonomic Listing

The taxonomy of the butterflies of Britain and Ireland as used on this website is defined in Checklist of the Lepidoptera of the British Isles; Agassiz, Beavan & Heckford (2024). The UK Butterflies website builds on this checklist and any differences are noted here. In addition, we include a summary of authorities that first described the taxa in the checklist.

Like its predecessors, Bradley & Fletcher (1979), Bradley (1998) and Bradley (2000), the most recent checklist provides a unique reference for each species, which also implies a sequence, where the more primitive species are listed first. Appendix B of the checklist also lists questionable species (those with the prefix 'B' in the number provided) and these are also included below. However, no relative position within the checklist is given for these, and so one has been provided here.

Key to Forms

Key to Species Status

Family	Subfamily	Tribe	Genus	Subgenus	Species	Subspecies	Form	Vernacular Name	Checklist No.
Papilionidae	Parnassiinae	Luehdorfiini	Zerynthia	Zerynthia	rumina			Spanish Festoon ^A	56.0001
Papilionidae	Parnassiinae	Luehdorfiini	Zerynthia	Zerynthia	polyxena			Southern Festoon ^A	56.0002
Papilionidae	Parnassiinae	Parnassiini	Parnassius		phoebus			Small Apollo ^A	56.0003
Papilionidae	Parnassiinae	Parnassiini	Parnassius		apollo			Apollo ^V	56.001
Papilionidae	Papilioninae	Graphiini	Iphiclides		podalirius			Scarce Swallowtail ^V	56.002
Papilionidae	Papilioninae	Papilionini	Papilio		machaon	ssp. britannicus		Swallowtail ^R	56.003
Papilionidae	Papilioninae	Papilionini	Papilio		machaon	ssp. gorganus
Papilionidae	Papilioninae	Papilionini	Papilio		glaucus			Tiger Swallowtail ^A	56.0031
Hesperiidae	Pyrginae		Erynnis		tages	ssp. tages		Dingy Skipper ^R	57.001
Hesperiidae	Pyrginae		Erynnis		tages	ssp. baynesi
Hesperiidae	Pyrginae		Carcharodus		alceae			Mallow Skipper ^A	57.0011
Hesperiidae	Pyrginae		Pyrgus		malvae			Grizzled Skipper ^R	57.002
Hesperiidae	Pyrginae		Pyrgus		armoricanus			Oberthür's Grizzled Skipper ^A	57.0021
Hesperiidae	Heteropterinae		Heteropterus		morpheus			Large Chequered Skipper ^M	57.003
Hesperiidae	Heteropterinae		Carterocephalus		palaemon			Chequered Skipper ^R	57.004
Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae		Thymelicus		lineola			Essex Skipper ^R	57.005
Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae		Thymelicus		sylvestris			Small Skipper ^R	57.006
Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae		Thymelicus		acteon			Lulworth Skipper ^R	57.007
Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae		Hylephila		phyleus			Fiery Skipper ^A	57.0071
Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae		Hesperia		comma			Silver-spotted Skipper ^R	57.008
Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae		Saliana		longirostris			Shy Saliana ^A	57.0081
Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae		Ochlodes		sylvanus			Large Skipper ^R	57.009
Pieridae	Dismorphiinae	Leptideini	Leptidea		sinapis			Wood White ^R	58.001
Pieridae	Dismorphiinae	Leptideini	Leptidea		juvernica			Cryptic Wood White ^R	58.002
Pieridae	Pierinae	Anthocharini	Anthocharis		cardamines	ssp. britannica		Orange-tip ^R	58.003
Pieridae	Pierinae	Anthocharini	Anthocharis		cardamines	ssp. hibernica
Pieridae	Pierinae	Anthocharini	Euchloe		crameri			Dappled White ^V	58.004
Pieridae	Pierinae	Pierini	Aporia		crataegi			Black-veined White ^E	58.005
Pieridae	Pierinae	Pierini	Pieris		brassicae			Large White ^R	58.006
Pieridae	Pierinae	Pierini	Pieris		rapae			Small White ^R	58.007
Pieridae	Pierinae	Pierini	Pieris		napi	ssp. sabellicae		Green-veined White ^R	58.008
Pieridae	Pierinae	Pierini	Pieris		napi	ssp. britannica
Pieridae	Pierinae	Pierini	Pieris		napi	ssp. thomsoni
Pieridae	Pierinae	Pierini	Pontia		daplidice			Bath White ^M	58.009
Pieridae	Coliadinae	Coliadini	Colias		croceus		f. croceus	Clouded Yellow ^R	58.010
Pieridae	Coliadinae	Coliadini	Colias		croceus		f. helice
Pieridae	Coliadinae	Coliadini	Colias		palaeno			Moorland Clouded Yellow ^Q	B39
Pieridae	Coliadinae	Coliadini	Colias		hyale			Pale Clouded Yellow ^M	58.011
Pieridae	Coliadinae	Coliadini	Colias		alfacariensis			Berger's Clouded Yellow ^M	58.012
Pieridae	Coliadinae	Gonepterygini	Gonepteryx		rhamni	ssp. rhamni		Brimstone ^R	58.013
Pieridae	Coliadinae	Gonepterygini	Gonepteryx		rhamni	ssp. gravesi
Pieridae	Coliadinae	Gonepterygini	Gonepteryx		cleopatra			Cleopatra ^V	58.014
Nymphalidae	Danainae	Danaini	Danaus		plexippus			Monarch ^V	59.001
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Elymniini	Lasiommata		megera			Wall ^R	59.002
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Elymniini	Lasiommata		maera			Large Wall ^A	59.0021
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Elymniini	Pararge		aegeria	ssp. tircis		Speckled Wood ^R	59.003
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Elymniini	Pararge		aegeria	ssp. oblita
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Elymniini	Pararge		aegeria	ssp. insula
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Coenonymphini	Coenonympha		tullia	ssp. davus		Large Heath ^R	59.004
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Coenonymphini	Coenonympha		tullia	ssp. polydama
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Coenonymphini	Coenonympha		tullia	ssp. scotica
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Coenonymphini	Coenonympha		pamphilus	ssp. pamphilus		Small Heath ^R	59.005
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Coenonymphini	Coenonympha		pamphilus	ssp. rhoumensis
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Erebiini	Erebia		ligea			Arran Brown ^U	59.006
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Erebiini	Erebia		epiphron	ssp. mnemon		Mountain Ringlet ^R	59.007
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Erebiini	Erebia		epiphron	ssp. scotica
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Erebiini	Erebia		aethiops	ssp. aethiops		Scotch Argus ^R	59.008
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Erebiini	Erebia		aethiops	ssp. caledonia
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Erebiini	Erebia		alberganus			Almond-eyed Ringlet ^A	59.0081
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Maniolini	Aphantopus		hyperantus			Ringlet ^R	59.009
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Maniolini	Maniola		jurtina	ssp. splendida		Meadow Brown ^R	59.010
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Maniolini	Maniola		jurtina	ssp. cassiteridum
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Maniolini	Maniola		jurtina	ssp. iernes
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Maniolini	Maniola		jurtina	ssp. insularis
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Maniolini	Pyronia		tithonus	ssp. britanniae		Gatekeeper ^R	59.011
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Melanargiini	Melanargia		galathea	ssp. serena		Marbled White ^R	59.012
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Satyrini	Hipparchia	Parahipparchia	semele	ssp. semele		Grayling ^R	59.013
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Satyrini	Hipparchia	Parahipparchia	semele	ssp. scota
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Satyrini	Hipparchia	Parahipparchia	semele	ssp. thyone
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Satyrini	Hipparchia	Parahipparchia	semele	ssp. atlantica
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Satyrini	Hipparchia	Parahipparchia	semele	ssp. clarensis
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Satyrini	Hipparchia	Parahipparchia	semele	ssp. hibernica
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Satyrini	Hipparchia	Hipparchia	fagi			Woodland Grayling ^A	59.0131
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Satyrini	Arethusana		arethusa			False Grayling ^A	59.0132
Nymphalidae	Satyrinae	Satyrini	Chazara		briseis			Hermit ^A	59.0133
Nymphalidae	Morphinae	Brassolini	Caligo		illioneus			Illioneus Giant Owl ^A	59.0134
Nymphalidae	Morphinae	Brassolini	Opsiphanes		tamarindi			Tamarindi Owlet ^A	59.0135
Nymphalidae	Morphinae	Brassolini	Opsiphanes		cassiae			Cassia's Owl-butterfly ^A	59.0136
Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Heliconiini	Dryas		julia			Julia ^A	59.0137
Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Argynnini	Boloria	Clossiana	euphrosyne			Pearl-bordered Fritillary ^R	59.014
Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Argynnini	Boloria	Clossiana	selene			Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary ^R	59.015
Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Argynnini	Boloria	Clossiana	dia			Weaver's Fritillary ^A	59.0151
Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Argynnini	Issoria	Issoria	lathonia			Queen of Spain Fritillary ^M	59.016
Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Argynnini	Argynnis	Argynnis	paphia		f. paphia	Silver-washed Fritillary ^R	59.017
Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Argynnini	Argynnis	Argynnis	paphia		f. valesina
Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Argynnini	Argynnis	Pandoriana	pandora			Cardinal ^V	59.018
Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Argynnini	Speyeria		aglaja			Dark Green Fritillary ^R	59.019
Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Argynnini	Speyeria		cybele			Great Spangled Fritillary ^A	59.0201
Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Argynnini	Fabriciana		adippe			High Brown Fritillary ^R	59.020
Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Argynnini	Fabriciana		niobe			Niobe Fritillary ^Q	B40
Nymphalidae	Limenitidinae	Limenitidini	Limenitis		camilla			White Admiral ^R	59.021
Nymphalidae	Apaturinae	Apaturini	Apatura		iris			Purple Emperor ^R	59.022
Nymphalidae	Apaturinae	Apaturini	Apatura		ilia		f. ilia	Lesser Purple Emperor ^Q	B41
Nymphalidae	Apaturinae	Apaturini	Apatura		ilia		f. clytie
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Colobura		dirce			Zebra ^A	59.0221
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Vanessa		atalanta			Red Admiral ^R	59.023
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Vanessa		cardui			Painted Lady ^R	59.024
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Vanessa		virginiensis			American Painted Lady ^V	59.025
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Vanessa		indica			Indian Red Admiral ^A	59.0251
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Hypanartia		lethe			Small Brown Shoemaker ^A	59.0252
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Aglais		io			Peacock ^R	59.026
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Aglais		urticae			Small Tortoiseshell ^R	59.027
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Nymphalis		antiopa			Camberwell Beauty ^M	59.028
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Nymphalis		polychloros			Large Tortoiseshell ^M	59.029
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Nymphalis		xanthomelas			Scarce Tortoiseshell ^M	59.030
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Polygonia		c-album		f. c-album	Comma ^R	59.031
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Polygonia		c-album		f. hutchinsoni
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Araschnia		levana		f. levana	European Map ^U	59.032
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Nymphalini	Araschnia		levana		f. prorsa
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Junoniini	Junonia		oenone			Blue Pansy ^A	59.0321
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Junoniini	Junonia		villida			Albin's Hampstead Eye ^Q	B42
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Melitaeini	Euphydryas		aurinia			Marsh Fritillary ^R	59.033
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Melitaeini	Melitaea		cinxia			Glanville Fritillary ^R	59.034
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Melitaeini	Melitaea		didyma			Spotted Fritillary ^U	59.035
Nymphalidae	Nymphalinae	Melitaeini	Melitaea		athalia			Heath Fritillary ^R	59.036
Riodinidae	Riodininae	Hamearini	Hamearis		lucina			Duke of Burgundy ^R	60.001
Lycaenidae	Lycaeninae	Lycaenini	Lycaena		phlaeas	ssp. eleus		Small Copper ^R	61.001
Lycaenidae	Lycaeninae	Lycaenini	Lycaena		phlaeas	ssp. hibernica
Lycaenidae	Lycaeninae	Lycaenini	Lycaena		dispar	ssp. dispar		Large Copper ^E	61.002
Lycaenidae	Lycaeninae	Lycaenini	Lycaena		dispar	ssp. rutilus
Lycaenidae	Lycaeninae	Lycaenini	Lycaena		dispar	ssp. batavus
Lycaenidae	Lycaeninae	Lycaenini	Lycaena		virgaureae			Scarce Copper ^Q	B43
Lycaenidae	Lycaeninae	Lycaenini	Lycaena		tityrus			Sooty Copper ^A	61.0022
Lycaenidae	Lycaeninae	Lycaenini	Lycaena		alciphron	ssp. gordius		Purple-shot Copper ^A	61.0023
Lycaenidae	Lycaeninae	Lycaenini	Lycaena		hippothoe			Purple-edged Copper ^Q	B44
Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Theclini	Thecla		betulae			Brown Hairstreak ^R	61.003
Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Theclini	Favonius		quercus			Purple Hairstreak ^R	61.004
Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Theclini	Strymon		melinus			Gray Hairstreak ^A	61.0041
Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Deudorigini	Rapala		manea	ssp. schistacea		Slate Flash ^Q	B47
Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Deudorigini	Deudorix		antalus			Brown Playboy ^A	61.0045
Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Eumaeini	Callophrys		rubi			Green Hairstreak ^R	61.005
Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Eumaeini	Satyrium		w-album			White-letter Hairstreak ^R	61.006
Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Eumaeini	Satyrium		pruni			Black Hairstreak ^R	61.007
Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Eumaeini	Satyrium		spini			Blue Spot Hairstreak ^Q	B45
Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Eumaeini	Satyrium		ilicis			Ilex Hairstreak ^Q	B46
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Lampides		boeticus			Long-tailed Blue ^M	61.008
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Cacyreus		marshalli			Geranium Bronze ^A	61.0081
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Leptotes		pirithous			Lang's Short-tailed Blue ^M	61.009
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Cupido	Cupido	minimus			Small Blue ^R	61.010
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Cupido	Everes	argiades			Short-tailed Blue ^M	61.011
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Celastrina		argiolus	ssp. britanna		Holly Blue ^R	61.012
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Phengaris		arion	ssp. arion		Large Blue ^R	61.013
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Phengaris		arion	ssp. eutyphron
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Glaucopsyche		alexis			Green-underside Blue ^A	61.0131
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Plebejus		argus	ssp. argus		Silver-studded Blue ^R	61.014
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Plebejus		argus	ssp. cretaceus
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Plebejus		argus	ssp. masseyi
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Plebejus		argus	ssp. caernensis
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Aricia		agestis			Brown Argus ^R	61.015
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Aricia		artaxerxes	ssp. artaxerxes		Northern Brown Argus ^R	61.016
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Aricia		artaxerxes	ssp. salmacis
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Cyaniris		semiargus			Mazarine Blue ^E	61.017
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Polyommatus	Polyommatus	icarus	ssp. icarus		Common Blue ^R	61.018
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Polyommatus	Polyommatus	icarus	ssp. mariscolore
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Polyommatus	Polyommatus	dorylas			Turquoise Blue ^Q	B48
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Polyommatus	Lysandra	bellargus			Adonis Blue ^R	61.019
Lycaenidae	Polyommatinae	Polyommatini	Polyommatus	Lysandra	coridon			Chalk Hill Blue ^R	61.020

Taxonomic Listing

Alignment with the Checklist

Key to Forms

Key to Species Status

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Taxonomic Listing

Alignment with the Checklist

Key to Forms

Key to Species Status

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Butterfly
Conservation