Madeira Butterflies
Madeira, as an island, has a distinct habitat from the one in mainland Europe or Africa and the butterflies that survived to a long distance migration or were transported somehow sometimes colonise the island. When adapting to their new habitat, species usually develop some skills or characteristics that distinguish them from their European or African relatives.
In a total of 20 butterflies’ species recorded to Madeira, 4 are endemic species and 2 endemic subspecies to Madeira Islands.
Endemic (resident) species to Madeira
Madeira Large White Pieris brassicae wollastoni - probably extinct
Madeira Brimstone Gonepteryx madeirensis
Madeira Grayling Hipparchia madeirensis
Madeira Speckled Wood Pararge xiphia
Endemic subspecies to Madeira
Madeira Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas phlaeoides
Indian Red Admiral Vanessa vulcanica
Resident species to Madeira Archipelago
Small White Pieris rapae
African Migrant Catopsilla florella
Clouded Yellow Colias crocea
Lang's Short-tailed Blue Leptotes pirithous
Long-tailed Blue Lampides boeticus
European Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
Painted Lady Cynthia cardui
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
Monarch Danaus plexippus
Rare migrants or Dubious Records to Madeira Archipelago
Pale Clouded Yellow Colias hyale
Diadem or False Plain Tiger Hypolimnas misippus
Tree Grayling Hipparchia statillinus
American Painted Lady Cynthia virginensis
Queen of Spain Fritillary Issoria lathonia
Plain Tiger or African Queen Danaus chrysippus