There are many kinds of butterflies. According to relevant literature, there are more than 14,000 recorded butterflies in the world. In order to facilitate people's classification and memory, entomologists divide a wide variety of butterflies into sixteen families based on their morphological structure, evolutionary development, and blood relationships, and each family is divided into several genera.

Among these sixteen families, four are only distributed in South America, so there are only twelve families in our country. Guangdong Province is located in the subtropical zone, and the mountains in this province are not very high in altitude. The highest peak in the province, "Shikengqi", is only 1,902 meters above sea level. Therefore, those Sericaceae butterflies that are adapted to life at high altitudes and low temperatures are not produced in this province, so there are only eleven families of butterflies in this province.

The main classification characteristics of these eleven families of butterflies are listed here for the reference of butterfly enthusiasts.

Note: The wing vein diagrams of each family are excerpted from "Classification and Identification of Chinese Butterflies" by Zhou Yao

Papilionidae

Papilionidae

Butterflies in this family are medium to large beautiful butterfly species. They are often based on black, yellow, and white, and are decorated with markings of red, blue, green, yellow and other colors. Some species even have brilliant metallic luster of blue, green, yellow and other colors.

The lower labial palps of most adult swallowtail butterflies have degenerated (except for the genus Papilio); the ends of the antennae gradually become thicker. There is a large central spine on the inside of the tibia of the forefoot, and a pair of symmetrical claws on the end.

The front and rear wings are approximately triangular; the middle chambers of both wings are closed. The R vein of the forewing has 5 branches, and R4 and R5 have the same stalk; the M1 and R veins do not have the stalk; most species have basal transverse veins (cu-a), and there are two A veins (2A and 3A). There is a hook-shaped cross-shoulder vein (h) in the shoulder area of ??the hind wing; the outer edge is corrugated; the inner edge shrinks, and the abdomen is clearly exposed on the side when resting, and there is only one A vein (2A); in most species, the M3 vein extends into the tail process, and some Species have more than 2 tail processes or no tail processes.

Pieridae

Pieridae

Butterflies in this family are small to medium-sized butterfly species. They are often based on white and yellow, and are decorated with black, red, yellow and other colored markings. The surface of the wings of most species is powdery.

There is a middle pad (sucker) between the two claws of the front legs of adult Pieridae, so they can stay on the surface of smooth vertical objects such as upright glass.

The front and rear wings are approximately Sui-shaped; the middle chambers of both wings are closed. The R veins of the forewings have 3 to 5 branches. The R2 and R3 of the forewings of most species are often merged, and the R4 and R5 of some species are also merged; the M1 and R veins have the same stalk; and there is only one A vein (2A). The hind wings have transverse veins (h); the outer edges of both wings are blunt and rounded; the abdomen is not visible from the sides when at rest, and the inner edges of the hind wings are well developed, with two A veins (2A and 3A).

Danaidae

Danaidae

This butterfly family is a medium to large beautiful butterfly species. Often based on black and white, they are decorated with markings of red, white, black, blue and other colors. Some species even have a brilliant purple-blue metallic luster.

The ends of the tentacles of adult spotted butterflies gradually become thicker, but not obvious; the forefoot is degenerated and is not used for contraction. The male forefoot has one tarsal segment, and the female has 4 to 5 tarsal segments, and the claws are completely degenerated; the side of the chest often has multiple White spots; males have retractable tufts of long hair on the end of their abdomen.

The front and rear wings are approximately triangular; the middle chambers of both wings are closed. The R vein of the forewing has 5 branches, and R3 to R5 have a long stalk; the M1 and R veins have short stalks; the base of the A vein of the forewing is bifurcated (3A merges into 2A). The hind wings are round and triangular, with short cross-shoulder veins (h) in the shoulder area; there are two A veins (2A and 3A); some species of male butterflies have fragrant scale spots or prominent fragrant scale pouches.

Amathusiidae

Amathusiidae

Butterflies in this family are mostly medium to large species. It is often based on gray-brown and tawny, and is decorated with black and white markings.

The antennae of adult ring butterflies are shorter, and the terminal part gradually becomes thicker, but not obvious; the front legs degenerate and are not used for contraction. The male has one tarsal segment, and the female has 4 to 5 tarsal segments, and the claws are completely degenerated.

The two wings are larger in area and the body is smaller; the forewings are approximately triangular; the middle chamber is closed, and the rear angle protrudes outward; the R veins of the forewings have 4 to 5 branches, and R2 to R5 have long stalks. ;The M1 and R veins have different stems; there is only one A vein (2A). Hind wings are nearly rounded; the middle chamber is open; there are cross-shoulder veins (h) in the shoulder area; the inner edge of the buttock area is very developed, with 2 A veins (2A and 3A), and there are often many on the back of both wings near the sub-outer edge. Ring markings.

Satyridae

Satyridae

Butterflies in this family are mostly small to medium-sized butterfly species. It is often based on gray-brown and dark-brown, and is decorated with black and white markings.

The ends of the antennae of adult eye butterflies gradually become thicker, but not obvious; the front legs degenerate and are not used for contraction. The male only has one tarsal segment, and the female has 4 to 5 tarsal segments, and the claws are all degenerated.

The forewing is rounded and triangular; the middle chamber is closed; the base of the Sc vein of the forewing is often enlarged, and the bases of the Cu vein and A vein of some species are also enlarged; the R vein has 5 branches, R3 to R5 *** stalk ;The M1 and R veins have different stems; there is only one A vein (2A). The hind wings are nearly rounded; the middle chamber is closed; the shoulder area has a more developed transverse shoulder vein (h); the inner edge of the buttock area is more developed, with two A veins (2A and 3A), and the reverse side of both wings is close to the sub-outer edge. Often have numerous eye-shaped annular markings.

Nymphalidae

Nymphalidae

There are many types of butterflies in this family, ranging from small to medium-sized butterfly species, with a few large species. Rich colors and different shapes.

The lower lip of adult Nymphalidae is particularly thick; the ends of the antennae are obviously thickened; the mesothorax of some species is particularly thick and developed; the front legs are degenerated and are not used for contraction. The male has one tarsal segment and the female has 4 to 5 Tarsus and claws completely degenerated.

The wing shapes of butterflies in this family are rich and varied, and the differences between genera are large. The forewings are mostly triangular; the middle chamber is open or closed; the R vein has 5 branches, and R2 to R5 have the same stalk; the M1 and R veins do not have the same stalk; there is only one A vein (2A). The hind wings are nearly round or nearly triangular; the edges of some species are serrated; the middle chamber is open or closed; the shoulder area has a more developed transverse shoulder vein (h); the inner edge of the hip area is more developed, with 2 A veins ( 2A and 3A).

Acraeidae

Acraeidae

This family is divided from Nymphalidae, and the adults are similar to Acraeidae species, so they are also called Nymphalidae. Adults are small and medium-sized butterfly species. Brown or red, decorated with black and white markings.

The ends of the antennae of the adults of the rare butterfly gradually become thicker, but not obvious; the front legs are degenerated and are not used for contraction. The male has only one tarsal segment and the female has 5 tarsal segments. The claws are all degenerated, and the claws of the middle and hind feet are asymmetrical; After mating, the female has a triangular hip sheath at the end of her abdomen.

The adult forewings are narrow and long oval, significantly longer than the hind wings; the middle chamber is closed; the R vein has 5 branches, and R2 to R5 have a stipe; M1 and R veins do not have a stipe; There is only one A vein (2A). The hind wing is nearly oval; the middle chamber is closed; there is a transverse shoulder vein (h) in the shoulder area; M1 and Rs*** are short stalks; there are two A veins (2A and 3A) in the hip area on the inner edge.

Libytheidae

Libytheidae

There are few species of butterflies in this family, with only ten species in the world. It is a small to medium-sized butterfly species and is the earliest butterfly species found on the earth.

The lower labial palps of adults of the family Rhymididae are particularly long, reaching more than twice the length of the head; the male’s front feet are degenerated and retracted, with a tarsus at the end and all claws degenerated; the female’s front feet are normal.

The forewings are triangular in shape; the end of the middle chamber is closed by a weak transverse vein; the R vein has 5 branches, R3 to R5 have the same stalk, the M1 and R veins do not have the same stalk, and the M2 vein is obviously prominent. Beyond the apex angle; there is a bifurcation at the base of vein A (3A merges into 2A). The hind wings are polygonal; the end of the middle chamber is closed by a weak transverse vein; the shoulder region has a transverse vein (h); the inner edge of the hip region is more developed, with two A veins (2A and 3A).

Riodinidae

Riodinidae

This family of butterflies is a small butterfly species. They are mainly red, brown and black, decorated with white markings, and the colors and markings on the front and back of the wings are similar.

The antennae of adults of the family Nymphalidae have many white rings; the male forefoot is degenerated and is not retracted, with a tarsus at the end, and the claws are completely degenerated; the female forefoot is normal.

The forewings of undergraduate butterflies are mostly triangular; the middle chamber is closed; the R vein has 5 branches, and R3 to R5 have the same stalk; M1 and R veins have the same stalk; the base of the A vein has a bifurcation ( 3A merged into 2A). The hind wing is nearly oval in shape; the middle chamber is closed; the shoulder area has a more developed transverse shoulder vein (h); the inner edge of the hip area is more developed, with two A veins (2A and 3A).

Lycaenidae

Lycaenidae

This family of butterflies is a small butterfly species. The front of the wings is mainly gray, brown, black and other colors. The surface of the wings of some species has a brilliant metallic luster of purple, blue, green and other colors. The colors and markings on the front and back of the wings are completely different, and the colors on the back are much richer. The pattern changes are also very diverse.

The antennae of adults of the family Lycorisidae have many white rings; the front legs are degenerated, but can still be used for walking. The male front legs mostly have one tarsal segment, one claw, and few segments; the female front legs have 2 to 5 segments. Tarsi.

The forewings of undergraduate butterflies are mostly triangular; the middle chamber is closed or open; the R vein has 3 to 4 branches, R4 to R5 has a stalk; M1 and R veins have a stalk; A vein With or without bifurcation at base (3A merges into 2A or without),. The hind wings are nearly oval in shape; the middle chamber is closed or open; there are no cross-shoulder veins in the shoulder area; the hip area on the inner edge is more developed, with two A veins (2A and 3A).

Hesperiidae

Hesperiidae

There are many species of butterflies in this family. The adult butterfly is a small butterfly species, which is the most unique species in butterfly shape and living habits.

The ends of the antennae of adults in the family Nymphalidae are pointed and hook-shaped; the front legs of both male and female adults are normal.

The adult forewings are narrow and elongated in the shape of a triangle; the middle chamber is open or closed; the R vein has 5 branches, each branch extending directly from the middle chamber in parallel; there are 2 A veins (2A and 3A). The hind wings are mostly triangular; the middle chamber is open or closed; there are 2 to 3 M veins; there are transverse shoulder veins (h) in the shoulder area; the inner edge of the hip area is well developed, and there are 2 A veins (2A and 3A).

There are about 600 species, and about 32 species are produced in Taiwan.

This family has the most ornamental value, with medium to large size,

bright colors, and most of them have tail-like protrusions.

There are about 3,500 species, and about 73 species are produced in Taiwan.

Their appearance is very different.

The staple food is animal corpse sap, tree sap, animal excrement, etc. It seldom sucks nectar.

There are about 1,000 species, and about 33 species are produced in Taiwan.

It is generally medium-sized, mainly white, yellow or orange in color.

It looks very delicate when flying.

There are about 5,500 species, and about 100 species are produced in Taiwan.

They are very small, but beautiful.

Their habits and feeding habits are very complex.

There are about 450 species, and about 18 species are produced in Taiwan.

There are beautiful spots on the body and wings of this species.

It is a warning color and has a deterrent effect.

There are about 2,500 species, and about 41 species are produced in Taiwan.

The adults have eye-like stripes on their wings and like dim environments.

Suck rotten fruits, tree sap or corpse sap.

There are about 3,000 species, and about 56 species are produced in Taiwan.

This type of butterfly is least like a butterfly. It is short and fat.

It flies quickly and its posture when staying is also different from ordinary butterflies.

Common in middle and low altitudes, about 1 species is produced in Taiwan.

The larvae use bamboo as a host, and the pattern difference between male and female butterflies is small.

They are large in size and fly slowly, so they are not easily confused with other butterfly species.

It is easier to see in mountainous areas, and about 1 species is produced in Taiwan.

The larvae use nanzi trees and hackberry trees as hosts.

Also known as tengu butterflies, the male and female butterflies are so similar that it is difficult to distinguish them.