Butterflies of Irkutsk Oblast (Lake Baikal)

The Baikal region: unique nature

Irkutsk Oblast covers the western shore of Lake Baikal and extensive areas of Eastern Siberia. The butterfly fauna is distinctive: about 100 day-flying species, with Siberian and Mongolian–Central Asian elements. The jewel of the region is the Khamar-Daban Range with its unusually humid microclimate and rich subalpine meadows.

Characteristic species by biotope

Khamar-Daban Range

A humid mountain range south of Baikal — a special biotope. Tall-herb meadows and fir forests provide unique conditions:

• Numerous sulphurs of the genus Colias — from common to rare endemic subspecies
• Fritillaries of several species — especially abundant in July
• High-mountain blues — in the zone of alpine meadows

Baikal shore meadows

On the shores of Baikal and in river valleys occur typical Siberian species: small tortoiseshell, peacock, red admiral, large white. In some places there are large concentrations of migratory species.

Steppe areas

On steppe patches in the south of the oblast, in Pre-Baikal basins, fly steppe species: satyrs, several blues, and sulphurs.

Protected areas

Baikalo-Lensky Nature Reserve — rich forest biotopes on the western shore of Baikal.

Baikal Nature Reserve (Khamar-Daban) — richest in species number, including high-mountain forms.

Pribaikalsky National Park — accessible to tourists, diversity of coastal and mountain biotopes.

Seasonal calendar

See also: butterflies of Asia and butterflies of Russia — overview.