Butterflies of Richmond
compiled by
Rose Klinkenberg
View butterfly photos by Rob Vandermoor
Butterflies and Moths of the Fraser Delta, by Rob Vandermoor
The buterfly fauna of Richmond has not been well investigated. The records presented below are compiled from three main sources: collection records by Rob Vandermoor, observational records by Don Benson from the Lulu Island Bog inventory report, and incidental observation and photo records by B. and R. Klinkenberg, photos identifications confirmed by Chris Guppy. Species reported by Harvey (1974) for the Richmond Nature Park are also assessed. There are undoubtedly other records for the area that should be explored. The butterfly diversity of this region is generally low, especially when compared with the Okanagan Valley or other parts of Canada. Benson (2008), citing Guppy 2001, gives three possible reasons for this:
- most natural habitats on the coast have been covered with coniferous forests for thousands of years and preferred butterfly good sources are generally lacking;
- cool wet weather on the coast may reduce abundance;
- the Coast Mountains act as a barrier to butterfly distribution, and may prevent colonization from other parts of BC.
Nomenclature in the following list follows a checklist of the Lepidoptera of BC by Rob Cannings and Geoff Scudder.
| Scientific Name | English Common Name | Source |
| HESPERIIDAE | ||
| Carterocephalus palaemon | Arctic Skipper | Vandermoor 1989 |
| Ochlodes sylvanoides | Woodland Skipper | Benson 2008 |
| Thymelicus lineola | European Skipper | Benson 2008; Klinkenberg 2003, Vandermoor, 1988 |
| PAPILIONOIDEA | ||
| Papilio zelicaon | Anise Swallowtail | Vandermoor 1970 ( Confirmation I.D. of late instar larva only. Found on Cow Parsnip. (Heracleum lanatum) |
| Papilio rutulus | Western Tiger Swallowtail | Benson 2008, , Vandermoor 1990, Klinkenberg 2001 |
| PIERIDA | ||
| Pieris marginalis | Margined White | Vandermoor 1989 |
| Pieris rapae | Cabbage Butterfly | Harvey 1974, Klinkenberg 2001, Vandermoor 1989, Benson 2008 |
| Neophasia menapia | Pine White | Benson 2008 |
| LYCAENIDAE | ||
| Callophrys eryphon | Western Pine Elfin | Benson 2008 |
| Callophrys iroides | Western Elfin | Vandermoor 1992 |
| Celastrina echo | Western Spring Azure | Vandermoor 1990 |
| Everes amyntula (Boisduval) | WesternTailed Blue1 | Vadermoor ca 1970 |
| Lycaena helloides | Purplish Copper | Benson 2008 , Vandermoor 1987 |
| Strymon melinus | Grey Hairstreak | Benson 2008 |
| NYMPHALIDAE | ||
| Aglais milberti | Milbert's Tortoiseshell | Vandermoor 1990 |
| Limenitis lorquini | Lorquins Admiral | Vandermoor 1991, Benson 2008 |
| Nymphalis antiopa | Mourning Cloak | Harvey 1974, Vandermoor 1989, Kinkenberg 2007 |
| Nymphalis californica | California Tortoiseshell | Vandermoor 2001 |
| Polygonia satyrus | Satyr Angelwing | Vandermoor 1991, Benson 2008 |
| Vanessa atalanta | Red Admiral | Vandermoor 1989, Harvey 1974, Klinkenberg 2001 |
| Vanessa cardui | Painted Lady | Vandermoor 1991, Harvey 1974, Benson 2008 |
| Vanessa annabella | West Coast Lady | Vandermoor ca 1986 |
Notes:
Harvey 1974 reported the Eastern Tailed Blue in the Richmond Nature Park. This record seems unlikely, however, but Vandermoor (pers. comm.) has reported netting a western tailed blue on Sidaway Rd, circa 1970, not far from the RNP.
Sources:
Benson, Don, 2008. In: Davis, Neil and Rose Klinkenberg. 2008. A Biophysical Inventory and Evaluatioln of the Lulu Island Bog, Richmond, British Columbia
Harvey, N. 1974. Some Insects of the Richmond Nature Park. Richmond: Richmond Nature Park Committee. Unpublished report. (observation type unknown)
Klinkenberg, 2003. Field notes and observations (sight observatons)
Vandermoor, Rob, 2002. Butterfly and moth Records for Richmond and Delta. (collections)
Vandermoor, Rob, 2002. Personal communication.