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elcome to this website on the butterflies of Cyprus. |
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The aims of the site are: |
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to provide an accurate Cyprus butterfly species list, accompanied by brief notes on all species. |
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to aid identification by listing key distinguishing characteristics of certain species, especially the smaller Lycaenids. |
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to provide photographs of the less familiar butterflies such as the Levantine Leopard (Cigaritis acamas), Small Desert Blue (Chilades galba) and the endemic species, e.g. the Cyprus Meadow Brown (Maniola cypricola) which are rarely, if ever, referred to in the popular European butterfly books. |
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to offer assistance to visitors and a point of reference for our network of existing recorders and future contacts. |
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to provide guidance on obtaining a Permit to allow the study of butterflies (and all other invertebrates) in Cyprus, following the introduction of a recently introduced law. |
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to complement our very active Butterfly Recording Scheme for Cyprus, thereby building a valuable database for current and future conservation projects by the Cypriot authorities. |
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How you can help... |
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There is no, locally organised, national scheme for recording butterflies in Cyprus. However, since returning from a 14-month stay on the island in 1997/98, I have maintained detailed Distribution Maps which build further on those originally produced by Rob Parker for his landmark 1983 paper. Updated maps were published in John (2000) and Makris (2003). (See Bibliography page.) |
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Last revision: 13 April 2008 |
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HOME PAGE |
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To the north of the island lies the southern coast of Turkey (c. 70 km) with Syria and Lebanon slightly further to the east. Egypt lies to the south. |
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The Troodos Mountain range dominates much of the western area of Cyprus, while the smaller Pentadaktylos Mountain range runs parallel with the northern coast of the island, leading into Karpasia. The two ranges are separated by the Mesaoria plain which forms the agricultural heartland of the island. |
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Location of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean |
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These views of Cyprus show the lowland areas green in winter or spring, with the Akrotiri Salt Lake indicating the seasonal presence of water. In early summer, the water evaporates and the salt lake, along with much of the island, desiccates. In the height of summer, temperatures at Mount Olympus (1951 m) the highest point on the island, may be 10 degrees Centigrade lower than on the coast. |
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By actively encouraging many others to submit records, we have adopted the role of Butterfly Recorders for Cyprus and would welcome further records, please. |
