Butterfly identification guide

This section helps you identify a species from external characters without special equipment. Each article is a separate trait-based key: wing colour, wing shape, size, place and time of encounter, caterpillar. Start with the most obvious trait you remember, then move to the next if the species is still not clear.

How to use the identification guide

Traits are grouped by reliability: wing colour and shape work quickly, but many species look similar. Place of encounter and flight period sharply narrow the options. The caterpillar is the most accurate trait if you have found one. Typical cases of confusion are covered in common identification mistakes.