Butterflies of Cyprus by Eddie John F.R.E.S.

A Guide to the Butterflies of Cyprus

 and Butterfly Recording Scheme



In association with Christodoulos Makris & Rob Parker






Butterflies of Cyprus - PAPILIONIDAE

1. Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
Common throughout most months of the year and widely distributed throughout the island,
P. machaon is the only Swallowtail found in Cyprus. See photograph on left. (N.B. no records exist for the Scarce Swallowtail [Iphiclides podalirius] from Cyprus.)

2. Eastern Festoon (Allancastria cerisyi)

A fairly common butterfly in Cyprus, found from coastal locations to higher elevations (1,000 m+) during the flight period between March and April or later. Absent from the Mesaoria Plain and south-eastern Cyprus. See photograph below left.

PIERIDAE

3. African Migrant (Catopsilia florella)
Found at Liopetri, Frenaros and Ayia Napa in Oct/Nov 1986, when 10 males and one female were taken. No other records of this powerful migrant are known from Cyprus, but it is a frequent visitor to the Nile Delta about 350 km to the south (Larsen 1990). See photographs.

4. Large White (Pieris brassicae)
Recorded in all months of the year but most commonly seen in spring. Found at higher altitudes in summer, during which period sightings are sparse in coastal areas.

5. Small White (Pieris rapae)
Very common at all altitudes throughout Cyprus. Recorded in every month of the year.

6. Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi)
Generally uncommon, but observed in greater numbers in recent years. Absent from most areas, with sightings mainly confined to the Troodos Mountain range. As yet, there are no records from northern Cyprus. Recorded between April & June. (See photograph of Aporia crataegi left.)

7. Eastern Bath White (Pontia edusa)
Common. Recorded in all months of the year. (Similar species: see Small Bath White and Eastern Dappled White.) See photographs.

8. Small Bath White (Pontia chloridice)
A rare butterfly of eastern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and Asia. Very uncommon in Cyprus, and recorded by only 10% of those recorders listed on the ‘Acknowledgements’ page. Sporadic records between spring and autumn. Because of its similarity with P. edusa, new records should be supported photographically or by means of a voucher specimen, please. See photographs below.


9. Eastern Dappled White (Euchloe ausonia)

Very commonly found between March and May (cp. Eastern Bath White). In flight, the yellow underside markings of ausonia are noticeable, especially in the second brood, whereas the Eastern Bath White gives an impression of black and green. Both species have a much more determined, purposeful flight than the Small White. See photograph previous page.

10. Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
Fairly common, easily recognised species (males), though females may be confused with No's 7—9. March – April.


11. Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)
Very common, other than during the height of summer. Recorded in all weeks of the year. The white form, C. croceus f. helice, occurs in low numbers (<5%). Earlier records indicating the presence of the Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow (Colias erate) have recently been shown to be misidentifications for f. erateformis - a yellow form of the common Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus). Colias erate is therefore withdrawn as a species for Cyprus. See ‘Bibliography’ for further details (John, E., Coutsis, J. G. & Makris, C. (2006) and plate on left).

12. Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra)

Fairly common in spring and present throughout all months, but is rarely numerous. Note that a yellow form of female Cleopatra is occasionally seen and that the orange forewing marking in the male is often subdued. See photograph on previous page. (N.B. The Brimstone [G. rhamni] is not known from Cyprus).

Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi)
© Eddie John

Above:
Row 1: examples of a rare, yellow form of male Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) which has been erroneously identified as Eastern Clouded Yellow (Colias erate) in the recent past. (See text on Colias croceus below right.)
Row 2: lighter forms of female Colias may also be found. No significance should be attached to the small size of this female, as dwarf forms occur in Cyprus.
Rows 3 & 4: typical male and female Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).
© Christodoulos Makris

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The colourful larva (left) and pupa (right) of the Small Bath White (Pontia chloridice) on its foodplant Cleome ornithopodioides.
© Eddie John (L) & Martin Gascoigne-Pees (R)


Small Bath White (Pontia chloridice), male, Platres, 1000m, April 2006.
© Bernard Fransen

Eastern Festoon (Zerynthia cerisyi) male, Laneia, 600 m, March 1995 © Christodoulos Makris

Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) Akrotiri 0 m,
May 1995 © Christodoulos Makris

Eastern Bath White (Pontia edusa) nectaring on Trifolium fragiferum Fasouri 0 m,
May 1994 © Christodoulos Makris

Distinguishing between Pontia edusa and
P. chloridice:
Undersides of Eastern Bath White (Pontia edusa) on left; Small Bath White (Pontia chloridice) on right. Both are first brood males.
© Christodoulos Makris