This guide sets out the simple information needed to identify the butterfly species most likely to be encountered on Vancouver Island.  Not counting species that are currently (2021) considered extirpated, about 60 species occur in this region of the province.  This guide has images and other information for 46 of them.  To keep the guide simple and easy to use, very rare species have been excluded.

Val George (photos) Rhiannon Cockayne (website design)

More images and details of behaviour and distribution can be found in the following references:
Yip, Mike & Miskelly, James, 2014, Vancouver Island Butterflies, Mike Yip, Nanoose Bay (Book)

Tatum, Jeremy B, Butterflies and Moths of Southern Vancouver Island: vicnhs.bc.ca/lepsvi

Click on the thumbnail images below for species information, including more images, size and best viewing months.

Swallowtails and Parnassians
Clodius Parnassian
Anise Swallowtail
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Pale Tiger Swallowtail
Whites and Sulphurs
Pine White
Margined White
Cabbage White
Sara Orangetip
Orange Sulphur
Coppers
Purplish Copper
Mariposa Copper
Hairstreaks and Elfins
Cedar Hairstreak
Western Elfin
Moss's Elfin
Western Pine Elfin
Grey Hairstreak
Blues
Western Tailed Blue
Western Spring Azure
Silvery Blue
Anna's Blue
Boisduval's Blue
Fritillaries and Crescents
Hydaspe Fritillary
Western Meadow Fritillary
Field Crescent
Mylitta Crescent
Commas and Tortoiseshells
Satyr Comma
Green Comma
Hoary Comma
California Tortoiseshell
Mourning Cloak
Milbert's Tortoiseshell
Ladies and Admirals
Painted Lady
West Coast Lady
American Painted Lady
Red Admiral
Lorquin's Admiral
Satyrs and Arctics
Ringlet
Common Wood Nymph
Great Arctic
Skippers
Propertius Duskywing
Persius Duskywing
Arctic Skipper
Essex Skipper
Common Branded Skipper
Woodland Skipper
Dun Skipper