New Zealand Butterflies

I have always been fascinated by the many beautiful butterflies there are in the world.

I thought you may enjoy seeing some of these wonderful insects from New Zealand.




Despite its favourable climate and diverse landscape New Zealand can only account for 23 species of butterfly. Of these 23 species, 11 are endemic and 12 non-endemic Of the 23 species, 16 are known to breed in New Zealand and the remaining 7 are either frequent or very rare visitors from Australia.
This is not a great number when compared with a country of similar size and latitude in the Northern Hemisphere, Japan for example with 225 species.

So why so few butterflies? The answer belongs with New Zealands position as an isolated landmass. Its nearest neighbour Australia is at its closest point 2000 kilometres away.

Towards the end of the Cretaceous period, about 60 million years ago, New Zealand split away from the Australian continent. It was then subjected to extremes of climate and volcanic activity, events that modified the existing flora and fauna. Glaciation in particular would have resulted in the extinction of many species of plants and animals. Faced with a wide ocean gap most Australian species have been unable to colonise New Zealand despite favourable winds.

What we have left is our present butterfly fauna to which has been added several species which have arrived since European times.

HERE is a link for some wonderful pictures and interesting information.