World Butterfly Atlas
Geographic butterfly atlas: species diversity by continent and region — from Arctic tundra to tropical forests, with ranges and flight seasons.
What is a butterfly atlas
A butterfly atlas is a geographic reference that shows which Lepidoptera species inhabit different parts of the world. Unlike a systematic field guide, where species are arranged by family, the atlas answers the question: which butterflies live in this place?
Butterflies are unevenly distributed across the planet. The tropical forests of South America and Southeast Asia are global biodiversity hotspots: more than 70% of all known species are concentrated there. The temperate zones of Europe and Russia are poorer in species, but they are home to well-studied and easily recognised butterflies familiar to everyone.
Atlas regions
Russia
The world's largest country: more than 300 species of day-flying butterflies, from Arctic sulphurs of the tundra to exotic swallowtails of Primorye. Sharp climatic contrasts make Russia one of the most diverse temperate regions.
Europe
Temperate climate, well-studied fauna of about 500 species of day-flying butterflies. Europe is a classic region for lepidopterology: the first entomologists worked here and hundreds of species were described. Mountain systems are especially rich — the Alps, Pyrenees, and Balkans.
Asia
The largest continent with an enormous range of biomes: from the Arctic tundra of Siberia to the humid tropics of Southeast Asia. The Indo-Malayan region alone contains several thousand species. The world's largest butterflies live here — birdwings of the genus Ornithoptera.
Africa
About 3,500 species of day-flying butterflies — the third richest continent. The tropical forests of the Congo Basin are the main centre of diversity. Africa is home to unique families and numerous endemics found nowhere else.
North America
About 800 species of day-flying butterflies in the temperate zone, plus several thousand more in tropical Mexico. The region's best-known species is the monarch (Danaus plexippus), which undertakes one of the longest insect migrations — up to 4,500 km.
→ Butterflies of North America
South America
World leader in species diversity: more than 3,500 species of day-flying butterflies. The Amazon rainforest is the main reservoir of biodiversity. Morphos (Morpho) with metallic blue wings, giant hawkmoths, and thousands of endemic species live here.
→ Butterflies of South America
Australia and Oceania
About 400 species of day-flying butterflies in Australia plus the rich fauna of New Guinea — one of the world's birdwing diversity centres. High endemism: many species occur only here.
→ Butterflies of Australia and Oceania
How to use the atlas
Choose the region that interests you and go to its page. There you will find:
- an overview of the region's climate zones and biomes,
- characteristic and easily recognised species,
- rare and protected species,
- observation seasons and the best locations.
If you already know the family or appearance of a butterfly, it is easier to start with the field guide or the families section. To search by name, use site search.
Distribution maps
Interactive range maps for individual species are collected in the distribution maps section. They show where on a continent a species is most commonly found, where it is rare, and what the boundaries of its range are.