Protected butterfly species in Croatia

According to the Nature Protection Act of 2013 (NN 80/13), i.e. the Rulebook on Strictly Protected Species (NN 144/13), 26 species of butterflies are strictly protected in Croatia. For some of these species, only certain subspecies are protected.

Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Kalnik, May 2024.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Varaždin, Apr 2024.)
Phengaris alcon
Alcon Blue
Phengaris alcon
(adult ♀, Ćićarija, Jul 2023.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Kalnik, Jul 2023.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♀, Risnjak, Jun 2023.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♀, Risnjak, Jun 2023.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult ♀, Žumberak, Jun 2023.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult ♂, Žumberak, Jun 2023.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult ♂, Ivanščica, Jun 2023.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ravna Gora, Jun 2023.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Varaždin, Apr 2023.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Varaždin, Apr 2023.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult ♀, Varaždin, Jul 2022.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♀, Central Velebit, Jun 2022.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♀, Central Velebit, Jun 2022.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Ćićarija, Jun 2022.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult ♂, Ivanščica, Jun 2022.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult ♂, Ivanščica, Jun 2022.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Central Velebit, Jun 2022.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♂, Central Velebit, Jun 2022.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, May 2022.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, May 2022.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Međimurje, May 2022.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♂, Drava, May 2022.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Gradac, Sep 2021.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♀, Northern Velebit, Jul 2021.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♂♀, Northern Velebit, Jul 2021.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♀, Northern Velebit, Jul 2021.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♂, Northern Velebit, Jul 2021.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♂, Northern Velebit, Jul 2021.)
Phengaris alcon
Alcon Blue
Phengaris alcon rebeli
(adult ♀, Žumberak, Jun 2021.)
Phengaris alcon
Alcon Blue
Phengaris alcon rebeli
(adult ♀, Žumberak, Jun 2021.)
Phengaris alcon
Alcon Blue
Phengaris alcon rebeli
(egg, Žumberak, Jun 2021.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult, Žumberak, Jun 2021.)
Phengaris alcon
Alcon Blue
Phengaris alcon rebeli
(egg, Žumberak, Jun 2021.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult, Ivanščica, Jun 2021.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult ♂, Ivanščica, Jun 2021.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, Jun 2021.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Drava, May 2021.)
Phengaris arion
Large Blue
Phengaris arion
(adult ♀, Strahinjčica, Aug 2020.)
Phengaris arion
Large Blue
Phengaris arion
(adult, Kalnik, Aug 2020.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♀, Northern Velebit, Jul 2020.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult, Northern Velebit, Jul 2020.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult, Northern Velebit, Jul 2020.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult, Northern Velebit, Jul 2020.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult, Northern Velebit, Jul 2020.)
Phengaris arion
Large Blue
Phengaris arion
(adult ♀, Central Velebit, Jul 2020.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♀, Central Velebit, Jul 2020.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♀, Central Velebit, Jun 2020.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♀, Central Velebit, Jun 2020.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♂, Central Velebit, Jun 2020.)
Phengaris alcon
Alcon Blue
Phengaris alcon
(adult ♂, Plitvice lakes, Jun 2020.)
Phengaris alcon
Alcon Blue
Phengaris alcon
(adult ♂, Plitvice lakes, Jun 2020.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult, Ivanščica, Jun 2020.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Žumberak, Jun 2020.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult ♂♀, Žumberak, Jun 2020.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult ♂♀, Žumberak, Jun 2020.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult, Žumberak, Jun 2020.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult ♂, Žumberak, Jun 2020.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult ♂, Žumberak, Jun 2020.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult ♀, Žumberak, Jun 2020.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult, Žumberak, Jun 2020.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult, Žumberak, Jun 2020.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♂, Varaždin, May 2020.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♂, Varaždin, May 2020.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult, Žumberak, May 2020.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Zagreb, May 2020.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Varaždin, Apr 2020.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, Apr 2020.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Kalnik, Aug 2019.)
Parnassius apollo
Apollo
Parnassius apollo
(adult, Kremen-Plješivica, Jul 2019.)
Parnassius apollo
Apollo
Parnassius apollo
(adult, Kremen-Plješivica, Jul 2019.)
Parnassius apollo
Apollo
Parnassius apollo
(adult, Kremen-Plješivica, Jul 2019.)
Parnassius apollo
Apollo
Parnassius apollo
(adult, Kremen-Plješivica, Jul 2019.)
Parnassius apollo
Apollo
Parnassius apollo
(adult, Kremen-Plješivica, Jul 2019.)
Parnassius apollo
Apollo
Parnassius apollo
(adult, Kremen-Plješivica, Jul 2019.)
Phengaris arion
Large Blue
Phengaris arion
(adult ♂, Ivanščica, Jul 2019.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult ♀, Varaždin, Jul 2019.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Ivanščica, Jul 2019.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♀, Kalnik, Jun 2019.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, Jun 2019.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult, Žumberak, Jun 2019.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♂, Varaždin, May 2019.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Ivanščica, May 2019.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, Apr 2019.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult ♀, Varaždin, Jul 2018.)
Phengaris arion
Large Blue
Phengaris arion
(adult, Central Velebit, Jul 2018.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Ravna Gora, Jul 2018.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult, Žumberak, May 2018.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult ♂, Žumberak, May 2018.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult ♀, Žumberak, May 2018.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult ♀, Žumberak, May 2018.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, May 2018.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, May 2018.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♂, Varaždin, May 2018.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Varaždin, Apr 2018.)
Phengaris nausithous
Dusky Large Blue
Phengaris nausithous
(adult ♂, Međimurje, Jul 2017.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult, Varaždin, Jul 2017.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult ♀, Varaždin, Jul 2017.)
Phengaris arion
Large Blue
Phengaris arion
(adult ♀, Plitvice lakes, Jul 2017.)
Phengaris arion
Large Blue
Phengaris arion
(adult ♀, Plitvice lakes, Jul 2017.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult, Ivanščica, Jun 2017.)
Parnassius apollo
Apollo
Parnassius apollo
(adult, Northern Velebit, Jun 2017.)
Parnassius apollo
Apollo
Parnassius apollo
(adult, Northern Velebit, Jun 2017.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(larva, Kalnik, Jun 2017.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult, Dinara, May 2017.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult, Dinara, May 2017.)
Lycaena ottomanus
Grecian Copper
Lycaena ottomanus
(adult ♂, Dubrovnik, May 2017.)
Lycaena ottomanus
Grecian Copper
Lycaena ottomanus
(adult ♂, Dubrovnik, May 2017.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, May 2017.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♂, Varaždin, May 2017.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult ♂♀, Varaždin, May 2017.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(egg, Varaždin, May 2017.)
Leptidea morsei
Fenton’s Wood White
Leptidea morsei
(adult, Žumberak, May 2017.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Varaždin, May 2017.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Drava, Apr 2017.)
Polyommatus damon
Damon Blue
Polyommatus damon
(adult, Jul 2016.)
Polyommatus damon
Damon Blue
Polyommatus damon
(adult, Jul 2016.)
Polyommatus damon
Damon Blue
Polyommatus damon
(adult ♀, Jul 2016.)
Polyommatus damon
Damon Blue
Polyommatus damon
(adult ♂, Jul 2016.)
Polyommatus damon
Damon Blue
Polyommatus damon
(adult, Jul 2016.)
Phengaris nausithous
Dusky Large Blue
Phengaris nausithous
(adult ♂, Međimurje, Jul 2016.)
Phengaris nausithous
Dusky Large Blue
Phengaris nausithous
(adult ♀, Međimurje, Jul 2016.)
Phengaris nausithous
Dusky Large Blue
Phengaris nausithous
(adult ♀, Međimurje, Jul 2016.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult ♀, Koprivnica, Jul 2016.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult ♀, Koprivnica, Jul 2016.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult ♀, Varaždin, Jul 2016.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult ♂, Međimurje, Jul 2016.)
Phengaris nausithous
Dusky Large Blue
Phengaris nausithous
(adult, Međimurje, Jul 2016.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult ♂, Međimurje, Jul 2016.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult ♀, Varaždin, Jul 2016.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult ♂, Varaždin, Jul 2016.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♀, Ivanščica, Jun 2016.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult, Ivanščica, Jun 2016.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♂, Bilogora, Jun 2016.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♂, Bilogora, Jun 2016.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Strahinjčica, Jun 2016.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Varaždin, Apr 2016.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Varaždin, Apr 2016.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Drava, Apr 2016.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Drava, Apr 2016.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Drava, Apr 2016.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(egg, Drava, Apr 2016.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Drava, Apr 2016.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♀, Varaždin, Aug 2015.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♀, Varaždin, Aug 2015.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♂, Varaždin, Aug 2015.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♂, Varaždin, Aug 2015.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult ♀, Varaždin, Jul 2015.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult ♂, Ivanščica, Jul 2015.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult ♂, Ivanščica, Jul 2015.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Kalnik, Jun 2015.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, May 2015.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, May 2015.)
Proterebia afra
Dalmatian Ringlet
Proterebia afra dalmata
(adult, Apr 2015.)
Proterebia afra
Dalmatian Ringlet
Proterebia afra dalmata
(adult, Apr 2015.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Kalnik, Aug 2014.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♀, Northern Velebit, Jul 2014.)
Erebia oeme
Bright Eyed Ringlet
Erebia oeme
(adult ♀, Northern Velebit, Jul 2014.)
Parnassius apollo
Apollo
Parnassius apollo
(adult, Central Velebit, Jul 2014.)
Parnassius apollo
Apollo
Parnassius apollo
(adult, Central Velebit, Jul 2014.)
Parnassius apollo
Apollo
Parnassius apollo
(adult, Central Velebit, Jul 2014.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, May 2014.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, May 2014.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, May 2014.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult, Ivanščica, Jul 2013.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ivanščica, Jul 2013.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult, Ivanščica, Jul 2013.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult, Ivanščica, Jul 2013.)
Lopinga achine
Woodland Brown
Lopinga achine
(adult, Ivanščica, Jul 2013.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Varaždin, Jun 2013.)
Parnassius mnemosyne
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
(adult, Ravna Gora, Jun 2013.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Lonjsko polje, Apr 2013.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Ivanščica, Jun 2012.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(larva, Drava, Jun 2012.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♂, Varaždin, May 2012.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Drava, Apr 2012.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(egg, Drava, Apr 2012.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult ♀, Drava, Apr 2012.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult ♀, Drava, Apr 2012.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult ♀, Drava, Apr 2012.)
Zerynthia polyxena
Southern Festoon
Zerynthia polyxena
(adult, Drava, Apr 2012.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Varaždin, Jul 2011.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♂, Varaždin, Jul 2011.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult, Varaždin, Jul 2011.)
Phengaris teleius
Scarce Large Blue
Phengaris teleius
(adult, Varaždin, Jul 2011.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♀, Varaždin, Jun 2011.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♀, Varaždin, Jun 2011.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♂, Drava, May 2011.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Varaždin, Apr 2011.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Varaždin, Apr 2011.)
Lycaena dispar
Large Copper
Lycaena dispar
(adult ♂, Varaždin, Jul 2009.)
Papilio machaon
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
(adult, Varaždin, Jun 2004.)
Euphydryas aurinia
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
(adult ♂)