Butterfree (Pokémon)

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Butterfree バタフリー Butterfree #012
Artwork from FR/LG
Type Bug Flying Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Butterfly Pokémon
Ability Compoundeyes Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #012 Johto #026 Hoenn #214 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 3′07″ Imperial 1.1 m Metric 3′07″/1.1 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 70.5 lbs. Imperial 32.0 kg Metric 70.5 lbs./32.0 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color White	Catch rate 45 (5.9%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown Gender unknown
Breeding Bug group 1 cycles (255 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 160 Battle Exp.: 1601*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Butterfree (Japanese: バタフリー Butterfree) is a Bug/Flying-type Pokémon, but it can learn some Psychic-type moves.

Biology

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. Its body’s coloration is a darker purple-blue. It has large veined wings which are white with black markings, in very rare cases individuals may be born with pinkish coloration. The markings can help distinguish male and female individuals. It has large compound eyes which tend to be a reddish color. Like members of the order Lepidoptera, Butterfree’s wings are covered in fine scales. Its legs are covered in fine hairs which aid in the collection of honey.

Gender differences

A female has black spots on the lower parts of its wings.

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.

Behavior

Butterfree spends most of its time foraging for nectar and pollen from flowers. 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 from their nest in search of honey. During breeding season, Butterfree take to the air en-masse. Female Butterfree generally choose their mates on the basis of performed aerial aerobics, however other factors may come into play.

Habitat

File:Forest.gif

Forest Pokémon

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 their migratory breeding pattern.

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.

In the anime

File:Ash'sButterfree.gif

Ash's Pikachu riding on his Butterfree

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 it to mate with a pink Butterfree in Bye-Bye Butterfree. Ritchie also has a Butterfree named Happy.

After Team Rocket kidnapped Dr. Gordon and flew away on Jessie's Dustox (who was currently Mothra-sized) in Caterpie's Big Dilemma, Zander's giant-sized Metapod evolved into a Mothra-sized Butterfree in order to chase Team Rocket. Zander'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.

In the Kanto Grand Festival a Butterfree is used by Solidad in Channeling the Battle Zone.

Drew has a Butterfree which made its debut in The Unbeatable Lightness of Seeing.

In the manga

In Pokémon Special, Yellow has a Butterfree which evolved from a Caterpie she befriended and captured. Her uncle, Fisherman Wilton, also has a Butterfree. Both of them are able to use Butterfree as a mode of flight, using Butterfree to hold onto their backs as they fly.

Ash's Butterfree evolved at the Cerulean Gym in the Electric Tale of Pikachu.

In the TCG

Main article: Butterfree (TCG)

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Butterfree is the mother of Caterpie, who she sends the player to rescue in the first mission of the game.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red In battle, it flaps its wings at high speed, releasing highly toxic dust into the air. Blue Yellow Its wings, covered with Template:M2, repel water. This allows it to fly in the rain. Stadium Its wings are covered with Template:M2. If you see one flapping its wings, be careful not to inhale any of the dust.
Generation II Gold It collects honey every day. It rubs honey onto the hairs on its legs to carry it back to its nest. Silver Water-repellent powder on its wings enables it to collect honey, even in the heaviest of rains. Crystal It flits from flower to flower, collecting honey. It can even identify distant flowers in bloom. Stadium 2 It collects honey every day. It rubs honey onto the hairs on its legs to carry it back to its nest.
Generation III Ruby Butterfree has a superior ability to search for delicious honey from flowers. It can even search out, extract, and carry honey from flowers that are blooming over six miles from its nest. Sapphire Butterfree has a superior ability to search for delicious honey from flowers. It can even search out, extract, and carry honey from flowers that are blooming over six miles from its nest. Emerald It has a superior ability to search for delicious honey from flowers. It can seek, extract, and carry honey from flowers blooming over six miles away. FireRed The wings are protected by a rain-repellent dust. As a result, this Pokémon can fly about even in rain. LeafGreen In battle, it flaps its wings at great speed to release highly toxic dust into the air.
Generation IV Diamond It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen. Pearl It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen. Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold {{{heartgolddex}}} SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Alternate Games

Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon Trading Card Game (Base Set, Base Set 2, Legendary Collection)

In battle, it flaps its wings at high speed, releasing highly toxic dust into the air.

Pokémon Trading Card Game (Neo Discovery)

It collects honey every day. It rubs honey onto the hairs on its legs to carry it back to its nest.

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue None Evolve Metapod Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Evolve Metapod
Generation II Gold Silver Gold: Uncommon Silver: Rare Gold: National Park during the Bug-Catching Contest, Route 2, and may drop from Headbutted trees Silver: National Park during the Bug-Catching Contest Crystal Uncommon National Park during the Bug-Catching Contest, Routes 2, 24, and 25, and may drop from Headbutted trees
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen None Evolve Metapod Colosseum None Trade XD One Cipher Key Lair (Shadow)
Generation IV Diamond Pearl None Evolve Metapod Platinum None Trade HeartGold SoulSilver None Trade Pal Park Forest Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Snap	Beach
Pokémon Channel	Viridian Forest
Pokémon Trozei	Secret Storage 1 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon	Evolve from Metapod

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 60		120 - 167	230 - 324
Attack: 45		45 - 106	85 - 207
Defense: 50		49 - 112	94 - 218
Sp. Atk: 80		76 - 145	148 - 284
Sp. Def: 80		76 - 145	148 - 284
Speed: 70		67 - 134	130 - 262
Total: 385	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 80.

Of the first generation Bug Pokémon, Butterfree ties with Scyther, Beedrill and Parasect for the highest base SpDef.

Type effectiveness

In Generation I, the effectiveness of Poison-type moves is 2×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation I RB Level Move Type Previous Tackle String Shot Harden 12 Confusion 15 PoisonPowder 16 Stun Spore 17 Sleep Powder 21 Supersonic 26 Whirlwind 32 Psybeam

Generation I Y Level Move Type Previous Tackle String Shot Harden 10 Confusion 14 PoisonPowder Stun Spore 15 Sleep Powder 18 Supersonic 23 Whirlwind 28 Gust 34 Psybeam

Generation II Level Move Type Previous Tackle String Shot Harden 10 Confusion 13 PoisonPowder 14 Stun Spore 15 Sleep Powder 18 Supersonic 23 Whirlwind 28 Gust 34 Psybeam

Generation III Level Move Type Previous Tackle String Shot Harden 10 Confusion 13 PoisonPowder 14 Stun Spore 15 Sleep Powder 18 Supersonic 23 Whirlwind 28 Gust 34 Psybeam 40 Safeguard 47 Silver Wind

Generation IV Level Move Type Cat. Previous Tackle String Shot Harden 10 Confusion 12 PoisonPowder Stun Spore Sleep Powder 16 Gust 18 Supersonic 22 Whirlwind 24 Psybeam 28 Silver Wind 30 Tailwind 34 Safeguard 36 Captivate 40 Bug Buzz

By TM/HM

Generation I # Move Type TM02 Razor Wind TM04 Whirlwind TM06 Toxic TM09 Take Down TM10 Double-Edge TM15 Hyper Beam TM20 Rage TM21 Mega Drain TM22 SolarBeam TM29 Psychic TM30 Teleport TM31 Mimic TM32 Double Team TM33 Reflect TM34 Bide TM39 Swift TM44 Rest TM46 Psywave TM50 Substitute HM05 Flash (Yel only)

Generation II # Move Type TM03 Curse Unknown TM06 Toxic TM08 Rock Smash TM10 Hidden Power TM11 Sunny Day TM12 Sweet Scent TM13 Snore TM15 Hyper Beam TM17 Protect TM19 Giga Drain TM20 Endure TM21 Frustration TM22 SolarBeam TM27 Return TM29 Psychic TM31 Mud-Slap TM32 Double Team TM34 Swagger TM35 Sleep Talk TM39 Swift TM40 Defense Curl TM44 Rest TM45 Attract TM50 Nightmare HM05 Flash

Generation III # Move Type TM06 Toxic TM10 Hidden Power TM11 Sunny Day TM15 Hyper Beam TM17 Protect TM18 Rain Dance TM19 Giga Drain TM20 Safeguard TM21 Frustration TM22 SolarBeam TM27 Return TM29 Psychic TM30 Shadow Ball TM32 Double Team TM40 Aerial Ace TM42 Facade TM43 Secret Power TM44 Rest TM45 Attract TM46 Thief TM48 Skill Swap HM05 Flash

Generation IV # Move Type Cat. TM06 Toxic TM10 Hidden Power TM11 Sunny Day TM15 Hyper Beam TM17 Protect TM18 Rain Dance TM19 Giga Drain TM20 Safeguard TM21 Frustration TM22 SolarBeam TM27 Return TM29 Psychic TM30 Shadow Ball TM32 Double Team TM40 Aerial Ace TM42 Facade TM43 Secret Power TM44 Rest TM45 Attract TM46 Thief TM48 Skill Swap TM51 Roost TM53 Energy Ball TM58 Endure TM62 Silver Wind TM68 Giga Impact TM70 Flash TM77 Psych Up TM78 Captivate TM82 Sleep Talk TM83 Natural Gift TM85 Dream Eater TM87 Swagger TM89 U-turn TM90 Substitute HM05 Defog

By breeding

None

By tutoring

Move	Type	Cat.	Version
Double-Edge			FR	LG	E
Dream Eater			FR	LG	E
Mimic			FR	LG	E
Substitute			FR	LG	E
Endure					E
Sleep Talk					E
Snore					E
Swagger					E
Swift					E

Special moves

In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, Butterfree knows Shadow Mist and Shadow Rush as a Shadow Pokémon, and learns Morning Sun after being purified.

TCG-only Moves

• Fly

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Butterfree images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Butterfree is one of the few Pokémon whose Japanese name is the same as its English one.
• Butterfree is the first Pokémon shown in the anime to have an alternate color. However, this alternate color was pink, which is not the same as the alternate color of Butterfree in the games.
• Out of all Pokémon, the Butterfree species has been trained by four anime trainers: Ritchie, Solidad, Drew, and Ash.

Origin

Its design appears to be based upon a common butterfly, most likely a Cabbage White butterfly, more specifically, Aporia crataegi.

Name origin

Butterfree's name is a combination of butterfly and free, possibly referring to its ability to fly after being grounded for two evolutionary stages. It may also be of note that Butterfree rhymes with Caterpie.

In other languages

• German: Smettbo
• French: Papilusion - Papillon means butterfly, and illusion is the same as in English.
• Korean: 버터플 Beoteopeul - Corruption of butterfly.
• Chinese (Taiwan): 巴大蝴 Ba Dái Hú ("comma patterned giant butterfly")
• Chinese (Hong Kong): 巴他蝶 Ba Ta Díe ("comma patterned other butterfly")

Related articles

• Ash's Butterfree
• Pink Butterfree
• Drew's Butterfree

External links

• Article on Wikipedia
• Flying off into the sunset, the fanlisting for Butterfree at The Anime Fanlistings Network

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This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.