Butterfree (Pokémon)

← #011: Metapod	Pokémon	#013: Weedle →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Butterfree (disambiguation).

Butterfree Butterfly Pokémon バタフリー Butterfree #012 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Bug Flying Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Compound Eyes Cacophony Cacophony Tinted Lens Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 45 (11.9%)
Breeding Egg Group Bug Hatch time 11 cycles
Height 3'07" 1.1 m Butterfree 0'0" 0 m {{{form2}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 70.5 lbs. 32.0 kg Butterfree 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form2}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 160 Gen. I-IV Unknown IV 173 V+	Leveling rate Medium Fast
EV yield Total: 3 Butterfree 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 2 Sp.Atk 1 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint {{{form2}}}
Pokédex color   White	Base friendship 70
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 dual-type Bug/Flying Pokémon.

It evolves from Metapod starting at level 10. It is the final form of Caterpie.

Biology

Butterfree resembles a vaguely anthropomorphic butterfly with a purple body. Unlike true insects, it only has two body segments and four light blue legs. Butterfree has two black antennae, a light blue snout with two fangs underneath, and large, red compound eyes. Its two pairs of veined wings are white with black accents. The oval scales of a female Butterfree's lower wings are black, but white in males.

Butterfree's wings are covered with poisonous powders that fall off continuously as it flies. This powder repels water, enabling it to gather honey even in the rain. Butterfree will roam up to six miles from its nest in search of honey, which it carries with the hairs of its legs. It also consumes sap from trees pierced by Heracross, as seen in the anime. Butterfree is found in forests, but has also been observed flying near the ocean as part of its migratory breeding pattern.

In the anime

Butterfree in the anime

An Orange Archipelago Butterfree in the anime

Major appearances

Ash's Butterfree

Ash Ketchum had a Butterfree that he had caught as a Caterpie, the first Pokémon he ever caught. Butterfree was also the first Pokémon Ash let go, allowing him to mate with a Pink Butterfree in Bye-Bye Butterfree.

Pink Butterfree

A pink Butterfree appeared in Bye-Bye Butterfree. 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

Ritchie has a Butterfree named Happy. It was first seen in A Friend in Deed.

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.

A Butterfree appeared under the ownership of Lisa in Spell of the Unown: Entei.

After Team Rocket kidnapped Dr. Gordon and flew away on Jessie's Dustox in Caterpie's Big Dilemma, Xander's giant Metapod evolved into a Butterfree 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 that debuted in The Unbeatable Lightness of Seeing.

Multiple Butterfree appeared in Butterfree and Me!., including one which Ash helped to evolve.

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, The Power of One, A Sappy Ending, Celebi: Voice of the Forest, Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias and Destiny Deoxys and Giratina and the Sky Warrior.

A Butterfree also appeared in Pokémon Fashion Flash, The March of the Exeggutor Squad, Pallet Party Panic, Once in a Blue Moon, Curbing the Crimson Tide! and Pinch Healing!.

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.

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 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.

In Channeling the Battle Zone, Solidad used her Butterfree in the Kanto Grand Festival.

A Wild Butterfree appeared in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part One

A 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!.

A group of Butterfree also appeared in Genesect and the Legend Awakened at Pokémon Hills.

A Butterfree appeared on the picture in the gallery museum in A Blustery Santalune Gym Battle!.

A Trainer's Butterfree appeared in A Relay in the Sky!.

A Butterfree appeared in XY085.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP004 Butterfree Ash's Pokédex Butterfree. One week after Caterpie evolves into Metapod, it again evolves into Butterfree.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry AG142 Butterfree May's Pokédex Butterfree, the Butterfly Pokémon. Butterfree is the evolved form of Metapod. The scales covering its wings help it to shed water.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry BW130 Butterfree Ash's Pokédex Butterfree, the Butterfly Pokémon. Butterfree's love of flower nectar draws it to seek out flowers, even if they don't have much pollen.

In Pokémon Origins

A Butterfree appeared in File 4: Charizard in a fantasy.

In the manga

Butterfree in Pokémon Adventures

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Main article: Ash's Butterfree

Ash's Butterfree makes a brief appearance in the manga series The Electric Tale of Pikachu. It was first caught in Pikachu, I See You! as a Caterpie and then evolved into Metapod in Play Misty For Me.

Ash's Metapod evolves into Butterfree in Play Misty For Me during Ash's Gym battle with Misty. Its last appearance as a Butterfree was in Haunting My Dreams, battling a giant Haunter.

Melanie took care of three Butterfree in Pikachu's Excellent Adventure.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Main article: Kitty

Butterfree debuts in Wake Up—You’re Snorlax! as one of the Pokémon shocked by Red's Pika in a forest.

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

In The Last Battle XIII a Butterfree was one of the Pokémon sent to help the fight in Ilex Forest.

According to the end of theVolume 1 & 2' Pokédex, Red captured a Butterfree, which apparently it evolved from a Caterpie.

In the Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon manga

A Butterfree appeared in Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Giovanni used a Butterfree in a haircut salon that he built.

In the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga

Bugsy has a Butterfree as his main Pokémon. It was first seen as a Metapod in Let's Aim For The Goal.

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

Generation I Red(ENG) In battle, it flaps its wings at high speed to release highly toxic dust into the air. Blue Yellow Its wings, covered with poisonous powders, repel water. This allows it to fly in the rain. Stadium Its wings are covered with poisonous dust. 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 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 Platinum HeartGold It collects honey every day. It rubs honey onto the hairs on its legs to carry it back to its nest. SoulSilver Water-repellent powder on its wings enables it to collect honey, even in the heaviest of rains.

Generation V Black It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen. White Black 2 It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen. White 2

Generation VI X It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen. Y The wings are protected by rain-repellent dust. As a result, this Pokémon can fly about even in rain. Omega 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. Alpha Sapphire

Alternate games

Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon Trading Card Game (Base Set)

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

Generation I Red Blue Evolve Metapod Blue (Japan) Evolve Metapod Yellow Evolve Metapod

Generation II Gold Route 2 National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)TuThSa Headbutt trees Silver National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)TuThSa Crystal Routes 2, 24, and 25 National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)TuThSa Headbutt trees

Generation III Ruby Sapphire Trade Emerald Trade FireRed LeafGreen Evolve Metapod Colosseum Trade XD Cipher Key Lair (Shadow)

Generation IV Diamond Pearl Evolve Metapod Platinum Evolve Metapod HeartGold Route 2, Viridian Forest National Park (Bug-Catching Contest) Headbutt trees SoulSilver National Park (Bug-Catching Contest) Pal Park Forest

Generation V Black Trade White Route 12 (Rustling grass) Black 2 Trade White 2 Pinwheel Forest (Hidden Grotto) Dream World Windswept Sky

Generation VI X Y Friend Safari (Bug) Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Trade

In side games

Generation I Snap Beach Pinball Evolve Metapod

Generation II This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.

Generation III Channel Forest Trozei! Secret Storage 1, Mr. Who's Den MD Red MD Blue Evolve Metapod

Generation IV MD Time Apple Woods (1F-7F) MD Darkness Evolve Metapod MD Sky Apple Woods (1F-7F) Rumble Silent Forest (Normal Mode C, A & S) PokéPark Wii Meadow Zone

Generation V Rumble Blast Treetops: Sun-Dappled Bank Rumble U Chill Battle: The Forest of Memories (Final Boss)

Generation VI Battle Trozei Safari Jungle: Stage 2Su Rumble World Fairy Land: Pixie Glen (All Areas)

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Bitter Berry (100%)
Yellow*
Gold	Silver	SilverPowder (8%)
Crystal
Emerald*		SilverPowder (5%)
HeartGold	SoulSilver	SilverPowder (5%)
Black	White	SilverPowder (5%)
Black 2	White 2	SilverPowder (5%)
X	Y	Silver Powder (5%)

Stats

Base stats

Generation I-V

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.

Generation VI

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: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Sp. Def: 80		76 - 145	148 - 284
Speed: 70		67 - 134	130 - 262
Total: 395	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.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 2/4 ★★☆☆	Power 2/3 ★★☆
Skill 2/3 ★★☆	Stamina 2/3 ★★☆
Jump 5/5 ★★★★★	Total 13/18 ★★☆

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting ¼× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground 0× Rock 4× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ¼× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting ¼× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground 0× Rock 4× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ¼× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting ¼× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground 0× Rock 4× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ¼× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting ¼× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground 0× Rock 4× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ¼× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Notes: If Gravity is in effect, this Pokémon is given an Iron Ball (in Generation IV) or a Ring Target, or it is affected by Smack Down or Ingrain, the effectiveness of  Ground-type  moves is ½×. In Generation V, if this Pokémon is given an Iron Ball, the effectiveness of  Ground-type  moves is 1×. In Generation I, the effectiveness of  Poison-type  moves is 2×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation VI Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  00Start Confusion Psychic Special 05050 100100% 25 Clever 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   1010 Confusion Psychic Special 05050 100100% 25 Clever 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   1212 Poison Powder Poison Status 0000— 07575% 35 Clever 3 ♥♥♥ 0   1212 Stun Spore Grass Status 0000— 07575% 30 Clever 2 ♥♥ 1 ♥ 1212 Sleep Powder Grass Status 0000— 07575% 15 Clever 1 ♥ 3 ♥♥♥ 1616 Gust Flying Special 04040 100100% 35 Clever 2 ♥♥ 3 ♥♥♥ 1818 Supersonic Normal Status 0000— 05555% 20 Clever 3 ♥♥♥ 0   2222 Whirlwind Normal Status 0000— 100100% 20 Clever 3 ♥♥♥ 0   2424 Psybeam Psychic Special 06565 100100% 20 Beautiful 3 ♥♥♥ 0   2828 Silver Wind Bug Special 06060 100100% 5 Beautiful 1 ♥ 0   3030 Tailwind Flying Status 0000— ——% 30 Cool 3 ♥♥♥ 0   3434 Rage Powder Bug Status 0000— ——% 20 Clever 3 ♥♥♥ 0   3636 Safeguard Normal Status 0000— ——% 25 Beautiful 2 ♥♥ 0   4040 Captivate Normal Status 0000— 100100% 20 Cute 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   4242 Bug Buzz Bug Special 09090 100100% 10 Beautiful 1 ♥ 4 ♥♥♥♥ 4646 Quiver Dance Bug Status 0000— ——% 20 Beautiful 1 ♥ 0

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Butterfree Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Butterfree Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation VI Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  TM06 TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000— 090}}90% 10 Clever 3 ♥♥♥ 0   TM09 TM09 Venoshock Poison Special 06565 100}}100% 10 Beautiful 2 ♥♥ 0   TM10 TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 Clever 3 ♥♥♥ 0   TM11 TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— —}}—% 5 Beautiful 1 ♥ 0   TM15 TM15 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5 Cool 4 ♥♥♥♥ 4 ♥♥♥♥ TM17 TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 Cute 2 ♥♥ 0   TM18 TM18 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— —}}—% 5 Beautiful 1 ♥ 0   TM19 TM19 Roost Flying Status 0000— —}}—% 10 Clever 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   TM20 TM20 Safeguard Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 25 Beautiful 2 ♥♥ 0   TM21 TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 Cute 2 ♥♥ 3 ♥♥♥ TM22 TM22 Solar Beam Grass Special 120120 100}}100% 10 Cool 3 ♥♥♥ 0   TM27 TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 Cute 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   TM29 TM29 Psychic Psychic Special 09090 100}}100% 10 Clever 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   TM30 TM30 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15 Clever 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   TM32 TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 15 Cool 1 ♥ 0   TM40 TM40 Aerial Ace Flying Physical 06060 —}}—% 20 Cool 2 ♥♥ 0   TM42 TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 Cute 2 ♥♥ 0   TM44 TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 10 Cute 1 ♥ 0   TM45 TM45 Attract Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 Cute 2 ♥♥ 0   TM46 TM46 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25 Tough 1 ♥ 0   TM48 TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 Beautiful 2 ♥♥ 0   TM53 TM53 Energy Ball Grass Special 09090 100}}100% 10 Beautiful 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   TM62 TM62 Acrobatics Flying Physical 05555 100}}100% 15 Cool 1 ♥ 0   TM68 TM68 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5 Tough 4 ♥♥♥♥ 4 ♥♥♥♥ TM70 TM70 Flash Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 Beautiful 3 ♥♥♥ 0   TM76 TM76 Struggle Bug Bug Special 05050 100}}100% 20 Cute 2 ♥♥ 0   TM77 TM77 Psych Up Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 Clever 2 ♥♥ 0   TM83 TM83 Infestation Bug Special 02020 100}}100% 20 Cute 3 ♥♥♥ 0   TM85 TM85 Dream Eater Psychic Special 100100 100}}100% 15 Clever 2 ♥♥ 0   TM87 TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000— 090}}90% 15 Cute 3 ♥♥♥ 0   TM88 TM88 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 Cute 1 ♥ 0   TM89 TM89 U-turn Bug Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 Cute 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   TM90 TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 Cute 2 ♥♥ 0   TM94 TM94 Secret PowerORAS Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 Clever 1 ♥ 0   XTM100 TM100 Confide Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 20 Cute 3 ♥♥♥ 0

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Butterfree Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Butterfree Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation VI Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  This Pokémon learns no moves by breeding.

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Butterfree in Generation VI Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Butterfree in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Butterfree Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Butterfree Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation VI Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  X Y OR AS Bug Bite Bug Physical 60 100% 20 Cute 3 ♥♥♥ 0   X Y OR AS Electroweb Electric Special 55 95% 15 Beautiful 2 ♥♥ 1 ♥ X Y OR AS Giga Drain Grass Special 75 100% 10 Clever 1 ♥ 4 ♥♥♥♥ X Y OR AS Signal Beam Bug Special 75 100% 15 Beautiful 3 ♥♥♥ 0   X Y OR AS Skill Swap Psychic Status — —% 10 Clever 1 ♥ 0   X Y OR AS Snore Normal Special 50 100% 15 Cute 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   X Y OR AS Tailwind Flying Status — —% 15 Cool 3 ♥♥♥ 0

A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Butterfree can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Butterfree cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Butterfree Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Butterfree Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By a prior evolution

Generation VI Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Stage   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  Tackle Normal Physical 50 100% 35 Tough 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   String Shot Bug Status — 95% 40 Clever 2 ♥♥ 3 ♥♥♥ Bug Bite Bug Physical 60 100% 20 Cute 3 ♥♥♥ 0   Harden Normal Status — —% 30 Tough 2 ♥♥ 0   * Iron DefenseORAS Steel Status — —% 15 Tough 1 ♥ 0

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Butterfree Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Butterfree Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations

TCG-only moves

Move	Card
Fly	Butterfree (Southern Islands 9)

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball    Acquisition: Evolve		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: Evolve Friend Area: Mist-Rise Forest Phrases 51%-100% HP I'll protect you with the wicked toxins in my wings. 26%-50% HP Oh, no... My health has dropped to half... 1%-25% HP I've about had it... It hurts to even fly... Level up I leveled up! I'm in peak form! Let me show you! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up! I'm in peak form! Let me show you!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 5.5% IQ group: A
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ●●● Defense ●●● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●●● Defense ●●● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: Butterfree came to the Meadow Zone to play! His favorite Attraction is Pelipper's Circle Circuit.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Unevolved Caterpie  Bug

Level 7 →

First Evolution Metapod  Bug

Level 10 →

Second Evolution Butterfree  Bug  Flying

Sprites

Generation I Red Green Red Blue Yellow Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation II Gold Silver Crystal Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Front Back Front Back Front Back

Generation V Black White Black 2 White 2 Front Back Front Back

Generation VI X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Front Back Front Back

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

Trivia

• Butterfree was the first Pokémon shown in the anime to have an alternate color, pink. This has only been seen in a single female, and unlike a Shiny Butterfree, which has green eyes and pink wings, limbs, and snout, this Butterfree only differed in its pink body and wings.
• Butterfree has been trained by four important anime Trainers: Ash, Ritchie, Solidad, and Drew.
• Butterfree shares its category with Beautifly. They are both known as the Butterfly Pokémon.
• Butterfree can be seen as a parallel to Beedrill. Both of their unevolved stages evolve at level 7 and again at level 10. They both go through metamorphosis-like evolution and have the same base stat total of 395. Also, while Beedrill is a version exclusive of Black and Black 2, Butterfree is exclusive to White and White 2.

Origin

Its design appears to be based the Black-veined White butterfly.

Name origin

Butterfree is a combination of butterfly and free, possibly referring to its ability to fly after being grounded for two evolutionary stages. In Japanese, the name may also derive from the word 振る furu (to flap, as in wings).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese バタフリー Butterfree From butterfly and free French Papilusion From papillon and illusion Spanish Butterfree Same as English/Japanese name German Smettbo From Schmetterling and possibly Bö Italian Butterfree Same as English/Japanese name Korean 버터플 Beoteopeul Corruption of butterfly Mandarin Chinese 巴大蝴 Bādàhú Partial transliteration of Japanese name. 蝴 is from 蝴蝶 húdié Cantonese Chinese 巴他蝶 Bātādihp Partial transliteration of Japanese name. 蝶 is from 蝴蝶 wùhdihp

More languages Hindi बटरफ्री Butterfree Transcription of English name Hungarian Csodalepke "Wonder butterfly" Russian Батерфри* Baterfri Баттерфри Batterfri Transcription of English/Japanese name Thai บัตเตอร์ฟรี Butterfree Same as Japanese name

Related articles

• Ash's Butterfree
• Pink Butterfree

External links

• Article on Wikipedia

Notes

← #011: Metapod

Pokémon

#013: Weedle →

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