They Flutter Around You All the Time—But Most People Have No Idea What These Butterflies Are Called

India is full of colors, not just in its festivals, food, or clothes, but also in its natural world. One of the most colorful and graceful parts of nature is butterflies. You might have seen them flying near flowers, gardens, or even by the roadside, but chances are, you didn’t know their names. With over 1,500 butterfly species found in India, it can be hard to keep track. But some butterflies are so common, you’ve probably seen them many times without realizing how special they are.

Here are five such butterflies you might spot around you, and now you’ll know exactly what they’re called.

The Common Mormon

The Common Mormon is a large black butterfly with white markings and a smooth flight. It is found in many parts of India, especially in parks, gardens, and places with flowering plants like hibiscus or lantana. What’s interesting about this butterfly is that the males and females look different. Males are mostly black with white spots, while females sometimes have red dots on their back wings.

The caterpillar of the Common Mormon looks like bird droppings, which helps it avoid being eaten by birds. You’ll often see this butterfly fluttering from flower to flower during warm days, especially after the rains.

The Plain Tiger

This orange and black butterfly is easy to notice. The Plain Tiger is one of the most common butterflies in India and can be found in open fields, gardens, and even near your home plants. Its colors aren’t just for show, they actually warn birds and other predators to stay away, as it feeds on toxic plants like milkweed.

It is slow-moving and not shy, which makes it a favorite for people who love taking butterfly photos. You might also spot its caterpillar on plants in your garden.

The Blue Mormon

This butterfly looks like it came out of a painting. The Blue Mormon has shiny black wings with electric blue patches. It’s large and strong, and though it’s mostly found in forested areas like the Western Ghats, it sometimes visits gardens too. It’s also the official state butterfly of Maharashtra.

Though it’s fast and not easy to catch on camera, its bright blue color makes it stand out when it lands on flowers to feed. It’s a rare treat to spot one, but if you do, you’ll never forget it.

The Common Jezebel

The Common Jezebel is known for its colorful wings—black, white, yellow, and red. It flies quickly and is often seen near flowering trees or tall plants. This butterfly helps in pollination, which means it moves pollen from one flower to another while feeding.

You can usually see it flying around during the daytime, especially in cities, parks, and near forest edges. Though small in size, it’s easy to notice because of its bright colors.

The Grass Yellow

The Common Grass Yellow is a small butterfly that’s bright yellow and easy to spot. It flies close to the ground and is usually seen during the monsoon season. It lives in gardens, empty plots, parks, and any place with a bit of green.

Because of its size, it may not grab your attention at first, but once you notice it, you’ll realize how many there are around. They are especially active on sunny days, moving quickly between grass and small plants.

Next time you’re outside, take a closer look at those flying colors. You might just recognize a familiar face.