Butterflies of Krasnodar Krai
Krasnodar Krai: entomological diversity
Krasnodar Krai is one of the richest regions of Russia in butterfly species. The reason is a unique combination of natural zones: subtropics of the Black Sea coast, mountain landscapes of the Greater Caucasus, Kuban steppes, and protected forests of Adygea. More than 180 species of day-flying Lepidoptera are recorded here.
Main biotopes and their species
Black Sea coast
The earliest region in Russia for the start of the season. Already in February–March cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines), and the first whites fly. In April–May the protected southern festoon (Zerynthia polyxena) flies on forest edges with birthwort — a beautiful butterfly with red spots on a white ground.
Mountain Caucasus
In the foothills and mountain meadows of the Caucasus live species unavailable in other regions of Russia:
- Southern swallowtail (Papilio alexanor) — large swallowtail, listed in the Red Data Book of Russia
- Apollo (Parnassius apollo) and mnemosyne (Parnassius mnemosyne) — high-mountain species
- Numerous blues, checkerspots, and fritillaries
Kuban steppes
In open steppe biotopes in the north of the krai fly steppe species: numerous blues, sulphurs, and ringlets. During migrations painted lady (Vanessa cardui) appears in huge numbers.
Rare and protected species
Krasnodar Krai has the largest number of protected butterfly species in Russia:
- Southern festoon (Zerynthia polyxena) — April–May, forest edges with birthwort
- Southern swallowtail (Papilio alexanor) — May–June, mountain slopes 500–1800 m
- Korshunov’s blue — high Caucasus
- Maturin’s fritillary — wet foothill meadows
Reserves and protected areas
Caucasian Biosphere Reserve — the richest site for butterfly species on the entire Western Caucasus. More than 140 day-flying species are recorded in and around it.
Utrish Nature Reserve — subtropical juniper–pistachio forest, rare species of the Black Sea coast.
Mzymta River valley (Krasnaya Polyana) — mountain meadows with rich swallowtail and fritillary fauna.
Seasonal calendar
| Period | Characteristic species |
|---|---|
| February–March | Cleopatra, orange tip, whites (coast) |
| April–May | Southern festoon, southern swallowtail, swallowtails |
| June–July | Peak diversity, mountain species |
| August | Apollo, fritillaries, blues |
| September–October | Painted lady (migrations), red admiral |
To identify unfamiliar species use the key by season and key by wing shape.