How many butterfly species live in Norway?

Approximately 85 species of day-flying Rhopalocera are recorded from Norway. The fauna is modest by European standards but includes several Arctic and montane species absent from most other countries — among them the Arctic fritillary (Boloria chariclea), Thor's fritillary (Boloria thore), and the Lapland ringlet (Erebia embla). The species count falls sharply north of the Arctic Circle; above 70°N only a handful of the hardiest species are regularly encountered.

When is the best time to see butterflies in Norway?

The peak butterfly season in southern Norway runs from late May to August. At middle elevations in the fjell the peak is compressed into June and July. North of the Arctic Circle almost all species fly in a brief window from mid-June to mid-July — the brightest period of the midnight-sun summer. The very first species to appear each spring are the brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), and Camberwell beauty (Nymphalis antiopa), which overwinter as adults and emerge on warm days as early as March in coastal lowlands.

Does Norway have any butterflies found nowhere else?

Norway has no endemic butterfly species. However, it is the core range country for several Scandinavian specialists: the Scandinavian form of the Moorland clouded yellow (Colias hecla), the Arctic fritillary (Boloria chariclea), and the Lapland ringlet (Erebia embla) all have their European strongholds in Norwegian and Swedish Arctic fells. Some populations in remote fjell valleys are also of scientific interest as isolated refugia that survived or colonised after the last glaciation.

Butterfly Atlas

Butterflies of Norway

~1 min

Around 85 butterfly species are recorded in Norway, whose latitudinal range spans mild coasts and harsh Arctic fell, supporting boreal and Arctic specialists.

Overview

Norway stretches almost 2,000 km from latitude 57°N to 71°N, encompassing a remarkable range of climates and landscapes. Mild Atlantic-influenced valleys in the south support warm-loving species, while the high fell plateau (vidda) and the arctic north are home to hardy specialists found nowhere else in Western Europe.

About 85 species of day-flying butterflies are recorded, considerably fewer than in Central Europe, but the proportion of rare and range-restricted species is disproportionately high.

Key regions

Southern lowlands and coast

The lowlands of Vestfold, Østfold, and the Oslo Fjord district hold the greatest overall diversity. Limestone grasslands around the Oslo Fjord support species typical of Central Europe — green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi), Grizzled skipper (Pyrgus malvae), Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina) — that approach their northern range limits here.

Coastal heathlands and flower-rich meadows hold populations of the dark green fritillary (Speyeria aglaja) and pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne).

Boreal forests

Conifer and birch forests of eastern and central Norway are the domain of several forest species: poplar admiral (Limenitis populi), purple emperor (Apatura iris), and Freija's fritillary (Boloria freija). The Camberwell beauty (Nymphalis antiopa) is a characteristic species of birch forest edges.

Mountain fell (fjell)

The open fell plateau, typically 900–1,800 m, is Norway's most distinctive butterfly zone. The short, intense summer supports a suite of montane and Arctic species:

Thor's fritillary (Boloria thore) — bog meadows with alpine violet
Freija's fritillary (Boloria freija) — bogs with cloudberry
Mountain ringlet (Erebia epiphron) and Arran brown (Erebia ligea) — fell grasslands
Woodland ringlet (Erebia medusa) — damp moor-grass meadows
Northern blue (Plebejus idas) — heather moors and fell scrub

Arctic north (above 69°N)

North of the Arctic Circle, species richness drops to around 20–30 regularly occurring species. Here the genuine Arctic specialists come into their own:

Arctic fritillary (Boloria chariclea) — fell tundra with mountain avens
Lapland ringlet (Erebia embla) — boggy tundra
Moorland clouded yellow (Colias hecla) — driest fell ridges
Pale Arctic clouded yellow (Colias nastes) — high-altitude rocky tundra

Seasonality

Period	Highlights
March–April	Overwintered adults: brimstone, small tortoiseshell, Camberwell beauty
May–June	First broods in the south: whites, blues, pearl-bordered fritillary
June–July	Peak diversity in the fell; all Arctic species in flight
August	Second broods in the south; migrants (red admiral, painted lady)

Observation tips

The most productive sites combine open, flower-rich grassland with shelter from wind. In the fell, sunny south-facing slopes warm up fastest and attract males patrolling for females. The best weather is calm and sunny; even in midsummer many fell species simply do not fly on cold or overcast days.

Key sites include the limestone grasslands around the Oslo Fjord, the Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park (excellent for fell species), and the Varanger Peninsula in Finnmark for Arctic specialists.