Physiology
Butterfree resembles a vaguely anthropomorphic butterfly. Unlike true insects, it only has four legs, which are a pale blue color. It has a nose-like structure, which is a similar color. The coloration of a Butterfree's body is a darker purple-blue. It has large veined wings, which are white with black markings. These markings can help distinguish male and female individuals. It has large compound eyes that tend to be a reddish color. Like members of the order Lepidoptera, Butterfree's two pairs of wings are covered in fine scales. Its legs are covered in fine hairs, which aid in the collection of pollen.
Gender differences
A female has black spots on the lower parts of her wings. In Generation V, they're purple instead.
Special abilities
The waterproof scales on Butterfree's wings are loosely attached, and if the Butterfree flaps them hard enough, they will be released into the air. This resulting "dust" is toxic, and can be irritating if inhaled. In some cases, additional powders will be mixed in, some causing sleep and others paralysis.
In addition to the usual powers possessed by Bug-type Pokémon, Butterfree also learns a variety of powerful Psychic-type moves.
Behavior
Butterfree spends most of its time foraging for honey and pollen, locating the flowers by its sense of smell. In the wild, they need to eat constantly. Special adaptations such as waterproofing on their wings, and tiny hairs on their legs let them gather food even in the rain. Butterfree will roam up to six miles (ten kilometers) from their nest in search of honey.
Habitat
Butterfree can be found in forests and wooded areas with high amounts of moisture and mist. They can also sometimes be found flying near the ocean, which may be part of Butterfree's migratory breeding pattern. This Pokémon's natural range includes Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh, Unova and Guyana.
Diet
- Main article: Pokémon food
Butterfree collect and consume pollen and honey from flowers. Butterfree also consume sap from trees if they have been opened by Heracross.
Major appearances
Ash Ketchum had a Butterfree that he had caught as a Caterpie, which was the first Pokémon he ever caught. It was also the first Pokémon he let go, allowing him to mate with a Pink Butterfree in Bye-Bye Butterfree.
A pink Butterfree appeared in Bye-Bye Butterfree where Ash's Butterfree fell in love with her, and fought to save her from Team Rocket. At the end of the episode, Ash released his Butterfree to mate with the pink Butterfree.
Other
An Orange Archipelago variant of Butterfree living on Valencia Island appeared in Poké Ball Peril. It had not eaten for days despite Professor Ivy's effort to make different kinds of food for it. It took a liking to Brock's food, however, and was one of the reasons he stayed behind. It reappeared in a flashback in A Tent Situation.
Ritchie has a Butterfree named Happy. It was first seen in A Friend in Deed.
A Butterfree appeared under the ownership of Lisa in Spell of the Unown.
After Team Rocket kidnapped Dr. Gordon and flew away on Jessie's Dustox in Caterpie's Big Dilemma, Xander's giant-sized Metapod evolved into a Mothra-sized Butterfree in order to chase Team Rocket. Xander's Butterfree shrunk back to its normal size at the end of the episode.
Jeremy used a Butterfree in the first half of the Silver Town Pokémon Contest in Weekend Warrior.
Drew has a Butterfree which made its debut in The Unbeatable Lightness of Seeing.
Multiple Butterfree appeared in BW130.
Minor appearances
A Butterfree appeared in The Path to the Pokémon League under the ownership of A.J..
Multiple Butterfree appeared in Battle Aboard the St. Anne.
A Butterfree also appeared in Pokémon Fashion Flash.
Butterfree also appeared in The March of the Exeggutor Squad and Pallet Party Panic.
A flock of Orange Archipelago Butterfree living on the Seven Grapefruit Islands appeared in a flashback in Snack Attack.
An Orange Archipelago Butterfree under the ownership of an unnamed Trainer appeared in The Mandarin Island Miss Match.
Multiple Butterfree also appeared in The Power of One, Celebi: Voice of the Forest, Pokémon Heroes and Destiny Deoxys.
An Orange Archipelago Butterfree living on Shamouti Island appeared in Slowking's Day.
Three Butterfree were seen at Professor Oak's Laboratory in The Rivalry Revival.
Multiple Butterfree appeared in A Sappy Ending.
Butterfree also appeared in Once in a Blue Moon.
Multiple Butterfree appeared in For Crying Out Loud where they played with Wilhelmina's Marill.
A Butterfree was one of the Pokémon seen at the Pokémon Swap Meet in Tricks of the Trade.
A flock of Butterfree were seen flying over Mount Quena in Mewtwo Returns.
Multiple Butterfree appeared in the wild in Houndoom's Special Delivery.
Three Butterfree appeared in a flashback in The Light Fantastic.
Several Butterfree appeared in Brock's dream in Sick Daze.
A Butterfree was one of the inhabitants of an oasis just for Pokémon in Got Miltank?.
A Butterfree appeared in A Tyrogue Full of Trouble where it was followed by Misty's Togepi.
Two Butterfree were seen at Lake Slowpoke in Enlighten Up!.
Several Butterfree were among the inhabitants of the Dragon Holy Land in Fangs for Nothin'.
A Butterfree made a brief appearance in Camp Pikachu.
A flock of Butterfree appeared before Ash's Larvitar in Hatch Me If You Can.
A Butterfree appeared in Now That’s Flower Power! as a Pokémon in the Contest.
A Butterfree appeared in Curbing the Crimson Tide!.
In Channeling the Battle Zone, Solidad used her Butterfree in the Kanto Grand Festival.
A regular Butterfree appeared in Pinch Healing!.
Butterfree appeared in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part One.
Multiple Butterfree made brief cameo appearances in Giratina and the Sky Warrior.
Another Butterfree appeared in Camping It Up!.
It was also seen as part of Lila's famous "Tiger Lily Smile" background in Battling the Generation Gap!.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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AG142
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Butterfree
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May's Pokédex
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Butterfree, the Butterfly Pokémon. Butterfree is the evolved form of Metapod. The scales covering its wings help it to shed water.
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