Scientific Name of Butterfly

The Scientific Name of Butterfly is unique for each species. The scientific name consists of two parts: the genus name and the species name. Butterflies belong to the order Lepidoptera, which includes butterflies and moths. In this article, we will study the scientific name of the butterfly and its classification in detail.

Scientific Name of Butterfly

Scientific Name of Butterfly – Rhopalocera (Suborder)

The scientific name system of butterflies varies for each species. They belong to the suborder – Rhopalocera. Taxonomists classify butterflies into various genera and species based on shared physical traits, genetic relationships, and evolutionary history. As a result, the scientific names provide valuable information about the butterfly’s taxonomy, biology, and evolutionary lineage.

The scientific name system of butterflies follows a standardized format known as binomial nomenclature, developed by Carl Linnaeus. In binomial nomenclature, the scientific name of a butterfly consists of two parts, the genus name and the species name. Together, these two names form the species’ specific epithet.

7 Levels of Classification of Butterfly

Below is a tabular representation of the seven levels of classification for butterflies, using the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as an example:

Level	Category
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Class	Insecta
Order	Lepidoptera
Family	Nymphalidae
Genus	Danaus
Species	plexippus

Butterfly Genus and Species

Here are some examples of butterfly genera along with a representative species for each:

Genus	Species	Common Name
Danaus	Danaus plexippus	Monarch Butterfly
Papilio	Papilio machaon	Old World Swallowtail
Heliconius	Heliconius melpomene	Postman Butterfly
Morpho	Morpho peleides	Blue Morpho
Vanessa	Vanessa atalanta	Red Admiral
Pieris	Pieris rapae	Small White
Lycaena	Lycaena phlaeas	Small Copper
Agraulis	Agraulis vanillae	Gulf Fritillary
Limenitis	Limenitis arthemis	Red-spotted Purple
Junonia	Junonia coenia	Common Buckeye

Butterfly Family Name

Butterflies belong to the order Lepidoptera, which is further divided into multiple families. Here are some examples of butterfly families:

• Nymphalidae: Brush-footed butterflies
• Papilionidae: Swallowtails
• Pieridae: Whites, yellows, and sulfurs
• Lycaenidae: Gossamer-winged butterflies or blues
• Hesperiidae: Skippers
• Riodinidae: Metalmarks
• Nymphalidae: Brush-footed butterflies

Butterfly Order

The order to which butterflies belong is Lepidoptera. This order includes butterflies as well as moths. Lepidoptera is one of the largest orders of insects, including over 180,000 species worldwide. The name “Lepidoptera” comes from the Greek words “lepido” meaning scale and “ptera” meaning wings, referring to the characteristic scale-covered wings of these insects.

Indian Butterfly Scientific Name

Here is the list of common Indian butterflies along with their scientific names presented in a tabular format:

Common Name	Scientific Name
Common Mormon	Papilio polytes
Common Jezebel	Delias eucharis
Blue Tiger	Tirumala limniace
Common Rose	Pachliopta aristolochiae
Common Grass Yellow	Eurema hecabe
Indian Skipper	Spialia galba
Indian Fritillary	Argyreus hyperbius
Tawny Coster	Acraea terpsichore
Common Leopard	Phalanta phalantha
Common Crow	Euploea core

Butterfly Scientific Name List

Here is a list of butterfly species along with their scientific names:

Common Name	Scientific Name
Monarch Butterfly	Danaus plexippus
Old World Swallowtail	Papilio machaon
Postman Butterfly	Heliconius melpomene
Blue Morpho	Morpho peleides
Red Admiral	Vanessa atalanta
Small White	Pieris rapae
Small Copper	Lycaena phlaeas
Gulf Fritillary	Agraulis vanillae
Red-spotted Purple	Limenitis arthemis
Common Buckeye	Junonia coenia
Cabbage Butterfly	Pieris brassicae
Citrus Butterfly	Papilio demoleus
Anar Butterfly	Catopsilia pomona
Yellow Butterfly	Eurema hecabe
Paddy Butterfly	Mycalesis perseus
Syngonium White Butterfly	Ascia monuste

Characteristics of Butterfly

The following are the some of the characteristics of Butterfly:

• Butterflies are insects with four life stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult.
• Typically has vibrant colors and complex patterns on their wings.
• Has six jointed legs, compound eyes, and proboscis for feeding.
• Shows diverse behaviors such as migration, mating dances, and pollination.
• Found in various habitats worldwide, including forests, meadows, and gardens.
• Important ecological role as pollinators and indicators of environmental health.
• Undergo metamorphosis, a unique transformation from larva to adult form.
• Varied sizes ranging from tiny species to larger ones like the Monarch butterfly.
• Lifespan varies but generally short, lasting from a few weeks to several months.

Conclusion – Butterfly Scientific Name

In conclusion, the scientific name of butterfly is Rhopalocera (suborder) and they belong to the order Lepidoptera, which is a Greek word that translates to “scaly wings.” This is an accurate description of butterflies, as their wings are covered in tiny, overlapping scales that give them their color and beauty. Butterflies are further divided into families, genera, and species, with over 20,000 species of butterflies found all over the world. Each species has its own unique traits and adaptations that help it to survive in its environment. Butterflies are important members of the ecosystem, as they play a vital role in pollination.

FAQs on  Scientific Name of Butterfly 

What is the Scientific Name of the Butterfly?

The Scientific Name of Butterfly is Rhopalocera (suborder). The scientific name for butterflies belongs to the order Lepidoptera, which includes butterflies and moths.

What is the Scientific Name of Indian Butterfly?

The scientific names of Indian butterflies vary depending on the species. Some examples include Papilio polytes for the Common Mormon, Delias eucharis for the Common Jezebel, and Tirumala limniace for the Blue Tiger.

Why do Butterflies have Scientific Names?

Scientific names provide a standardized way to identify and classify butterfly species across different languages and regions, helping in accurate communication and research.

How are Scientific Names of Butterflies Determined?

Scientific names are typically assigned based on the butterfly’s genus and species, following the rules of binomial nomenclature established by Carl Linnaeus.

Do All Butterfly Species have Unique Scientific Names?

Yes, each butterfly species has a unique scientific name consisting of a genus and species epithet. This system helps differentiate between species and facilitates precise identification and study within the scientific community.