Butterfly identification guide
Butterfly identification guide by wing colour, size, wing shape, and place of encounter. Identify species without equipment — step-by-step keys for Russia and neighbouring regions.
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.
By caterpillar
Caterpillar identification guide: green, hairy, with a horn, with eyespots, with spines. How to tell which butterfly will emerge from a caterpillar you found.
By place of encounter
Butterfly identification by place of encounter: meadow, forest, woodland edge, garden, bog, mountains, coast — which species live where in Russia.
By size
Butterfly identification by size: from tiny blues with a 15 mm wingspan to giant birdwings with wings wider than 25 cm.
By time of year
Seasonal butterfly identification guide: which species fly in March, April, May, June, July, August, and autumn in Russia.
By wing colour
Butterfly identification by wing colour: find a species by main colouration — from white whites to blue blues and patterned nymphalids.
Identify a butterfly
Step 1 / 4
What is the main wing color?