Cleopatra
Gonepteryx cleopatra
Gonepteryx cleopatra, the Cleopatra or Cleopatra butterfly, is a medium-sized butterfly of the family Pieridae.
32
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonepteryx_cleopatra
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Pieridae
Genus
Gonepteryx
Cleopatra belongs to the family Pieridae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Gonepteryx cleopatra, the Cleopatra or Cleopatra butterfly, is a medium-sized butterfly of the family Pieridae.
The Cleopatra butterfly faces mounting pressure from habitat loss and fragmentation as Mediterranean scrublands and woodlands are converted for agriculture and urban development. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the distribution and phenology of its host plants, while increased frequency of droughts and extreme weather events further threaten population stability across its range.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Mediterranean scrublands, open woodlands, and maquis vegetation where buckthorn species (Rhamnus) grow, typically in hilly and mountainous areas up to 1,500m elevation. The species requires areas with abundant flowering plants for nectar sources and specific host plants for larval development.
Threats
Agricultural intensification
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Climate change impacts
Drought and extreme weather events
Urban development
Found in 32 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/cleopatra