Contents > Resources > Scientific Classifications
Scientific Classifications
All lifeforms have a scientific classification.
Below is the classifications for New Zealand Butterflies which shows how each species relates to
other Butterfly species. You will find that some species have similar names overseas as they have close genetic relatives in other
parts of the world. All of New Zealand's Butterflies are in the SuperFamily Papilionoidea, which are presently seen as
'true Butterflies'. This SuperFamily consists of 5 family groups (Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae and
Riodinidae), in New Zealand, we have 3 family groups present (Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae and Pieridae).
Papilionoidea comes under the orders of;
Ditrysia (Females have 2 distinct sexual openings, one for
mating and a second for ovipositing)
Neolepidoptera (Have wings with double layers of scales)
Lepidoptera (Moths and Butterflies)
Endopterygota (Insects with complete metamorphosis)
Families of Papilionoidea found in New Zealand
(click on the purple Butterflies to open the details)
Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Gossamer-winged, Hairstreaks and Harvesters)
- SubFamily
- Lycaeninae (Coppers)
- Tribe
- Lycaenini
- Genus
- Lycaena (Coppers)
- Taxon and NZ name
- feredayi (Glade Copper)
- rauparaha (Rauparaha's Copper)
- salustius (Common Copper)
- SubGenus
- Boldenaria
- Taxon and NZ name
- boldenarum (Boulder Copper)
- Polyommatinae (Blues)
- Tribe
- Polyommatini (Blues)
- Genus
- Lampides (Blues)
- Taxon and NZ name
- boeticus (Long-Tailed Blue)
- Zizina (Grass Blues)
- Taxon and NZ name
- otis (Common Blue)
- oxleyi (Southern Blue)
Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
- SubFamily
- Danainae (Glasswings & Milkweed)
- Tribe
- Danaini (Milkweed Butterflies)
- Genus
- Danaus (Monarchs and Queens)
- Taxon and NZ name
- petilia (Lesser Wanderer)
- plexippus (Monarch)
- Tirumala
- Taxon and NZ name
- hamata (Blue Tiger)
- Limenitidinae (Admirals, Sisters)
- Tribe
- Limenitidini (Admirals, Sisters and Sailors)
- Genus
- Limenitis (Admirals & Viceroy)
- Taxon and NZ name
- glorifica (Honshu White Admiral)
- Nymphalinae (Anglewings, Buckeyes, Cresents, Checkerspots and Commas)
- Tribe
- Junoniini (Anglewings, Checkerspots and Crescents)
- Genus
- Hypolimnas (Eggflies)
- Taxon and NZ name
- bolina (Blue Moon)
- Junonia (Buckeyes and Pansies)
- Taxon and NZ name
- villida (Meadow Argus)
- Nymphalini (Admirals, Painted Ladies and Tortoiseshells)
- Genus
- Vanessa (Admirals and Ladies)
- Taxon and NZ name
- gonerilla (Red Admiral)
- itea (Yellow Admiral)
- kershawi (Painted Lady)
- Satyrinae (Browns, Heaths and Ringlets)
- Tribe
- Melanitini (Browns)
- Genus
- Melanitis
- Taxon and NZ name
- leda (Evening Brown)
- Satyrini
- SubTribe
- Coenonymphina (Ringlets and Tussocks)
- Genus
- Argyrophenga (Tussocks)
- Taxon and NZ name
- antipodum (Common Tussock)
- harrisi (Harris's Tussock)
- janitae (Janita's Tussock)
- Dodonidia (Ringlet)
- Taxon and NZ name
- helmsi (Forest Ringlet)
- Erebiola (Ringlet)
- Taxon and NZ name
- butleri (Butler's Ringlet)
- Percnodaimon (Ringlet)
- Taxon and NZ name
- merula (Black Mountain Ringlet)
Pieridae (Sulphurs, Whites and Yellows)
- SubFamily
- Coliadinae (Sulphurs)
- Genus
- Catopsilia
- Taxon and NZ name
- pomona (Lemon Migrant)
- Pierinae (Sulphurs, Whites and Yellows)
- Tribe
- Pierina (Whites)
- Genus
- Pieris (Cabbage Whites)
- Taxon and NZ name
- rapae (White Butterfly)
More information on Butterfly classifications can be found on the
Tree of Life website
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