Butterflies of Austria

Austria is an Alpine country with exceptionally rich mountain butterfly fauna. More than 200 day-flying species, including unique alpine species and several endemics.

Butterflies of Austria: Overview

Austria is predominantly a mountain country: more than 60% of the territory is Alps. This determines exceptional richness of high-mountain entomofauna. More than 200 day-flying butterfly species are recorded — one of the highest values per unit area in Europe.

Mountain Biotopes

High-Alpine Meadows (Subalpine and Alpine Belts)

Above 1,500–2,000 m — a zone of specialized mountain species:

Erebia fritillaries — the largest mountain genus in Europe. More than 15 species live in the Austrian Alps. They camouflage against rocks and dark bedrock thanks to dark coloration
Apollo (Parnassius apollo) — on limestone slopes with stonecrop; strictly protected
Mountain sulphurs (Colias phicomone) — subalpine meadows
Several mountain fritillary species

Foothills and Pre-Alpine Zone

At 500–1,500 m — transitional zone with greatest species diversity. Meadows, mixed forests, warm slopes:

Scarce swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) — near apricot orchards in Styria and Lower Austria
Several blue species — on flowering slopes
Fritillaries — meadow biotopes

Pannonian Lowland (Burgenland)

Eastern Austria borders Hungary and lies in the Pannonian biogeographic zone. Steppe species atypical of mountainous Austria occur here: several blues, skippers.