11 Magnificent Butterflies of Nigeria

#1: Catopsilia florella butterfly
Called the 'African migrant', this stunning female butterfly is easy to spot. Its distinctive yellow color is cultivated through its diet, with the male being green. It can be found in gardens and urban areas.

#2: Axiocerses harpax butterfly
The Axiocerses harpax butterfly can be found in many African countries including Senegal, Kenya and Ethiopia. The length of its forewings can grow up to 18mm. This beauty is attracted to flowers and is commonly found in woodlands.

#3: Black-spot Bematistes butterfly
Photographed in Port Harcourt, the Black-spot Bematistes butterfly belongs to the Nymphalidae which is one of the largest families of butterflies in the world. It has four legs and its forewings are elongated and hindwings rounded.

#4: Acraea butterfly
Marvel at this wonder photographed in Port Harcourt! The Acraea butterfly has four wings which are orange and semi-transparent with black spots. There are more than 200 species of its kind and is usually found in a tropical climate.

#5: Belenois calypso and Papilio demodocus butterflies
Here are two different species spotted together. On the left is the Belenois calypso butterfly which has a beathtaking yellow and white color. On the right is the slightly larger Papilio demodocus butterfly which have some of the most mesmerising wings. It is also called the Christmas butterfly. It has distinctive red and blue eyespots.

#6: Myrina silenus butterfly
Photographed in Port Harcourt, the Myrina silenus butterfly is also called the common fig-tree blue. It has black, blue and red wings and belongs to the Lycaenidae family.

#7: Appias sabina butterfly
The Appias sabina butterfly is commonly found in forests. This beauty was photographed at Port Harcourt. It belongs to the Pieridae family and is often called the Sabine albatross or albatross white.

#8: Common Swordtail butterfly
Maybe one of the most beautiful butterflies to be found in Nigeria, the Common Swordtail butterfly's kaleidoscopic colors reflect its habitat. This one was photographed at Imota in Lagos.

#9: Common Blue Charaxes butterfly
The Common Blue Charaxes butterfly belongs to the Nymphalidae family and can be found in dry forest areas. Its wings can grow up to 100mm. Its color is a perfect camouflage and protection against birds.

#10: Graphium angolanus butterfly
Photographed during sunset, the Angola white lady or Graphium angolanus, belongs to the Papilionidae family. Can you count how many white spots it has?

#11: Ringlet butterfly
The Ringlet butterfly belongs to the Nymphalidae family and is commonly found in Africa and Europe. It's colour is brown and grey, and distinctive blue, beige and black eyespots.

Want to explore for yourself?
Set out early, find yourself a quiet, lush garden or a Nature Park. These areas are some of the best places to spot Nigeria's spectacular butterflies.