Butterfly Encyclopedia
Butterfly encyclopedia: life cycle, feeding, species, and behavior. Articles for observers and beginner entomologists — Russian and global fauna.
The butterfly encyclopedia is the reference section of the atlas. It brings together basic knowledge about what butterflies are, how many species exist, how their life cycle works, and how they differ from moths. The articles are written for observers and beginner entomologists: without unnecessary terminology, with examples from Russian and global fauna.
What This Section Covers
The section covers key questions about butterfly biology and ecology: body structure, wing coloration, distribution across continents, and methods for identifying species. Each article includes answers to common questions and links to related sections — the identification guide, families, and glossary.
Butterfly Life Cycle
The butterfly life cycle has four stages: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult. Complete metamorphosis lasts from several weeks to several years.
How Butterflies Differ from Moths
Butterflies and moths are both lepidopterans, but differ in antennae, resting posture, body structure, and activity time. We examine the features with examples.
How Many Butterfly Species Exist
About 157,000 lepidopteran species are described worldwide. Day-flying butterflies number about 20,000 species. Russia has roughly 2,200 lepidopteran species.
How to Use the Atlas
Guide to using the butterfly atlas butterfly-atlas.ru: how to identify a species, how sections are organized, and how to use the identification guide and encyclopedia.
Popular Butterfly Species
The best-known butterflies of Russia and the world: swallowtail, red admiral, peacock, small tortoiseshell, Apollo, monarch — descriptions, features, and where to find them.