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Butterfree(JP) is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a dual-type Bug/Flying Pokémon that made its first appearance in the first generation games Red and Blue. It evolves from Metapod starting at level 10. It has a Gigantamax form in Galar.

Physiology and Behaviour[]

Butterfree is a lepidopteran insect Pokémon which resembles a vaguely anthropomorphic butterfly with a purple body. Unlike true insects, it only has two body segments and four light blue legs. The upper pair of its legs resemble small, three-fingered hands, while the lower pair resembles long, digit-less feet. Butterfree has two black antennae, a light blue snout with two fangs underneath, and large, red compound eyes. Its two pairs of wings are white with black venation. Two oval scales on a female Butterfree's lower wings are black, but they are white on a male.

The wings of Butterfree are coated with poisonous scales that easily fall off continuously as it flies. If inhaled, it results in several status conditions. It will defend Caterpie from bird Pokémon using this powder. This powder also repels water, enabling it to fly and gather honey even in the rain. Butterfree can use its sensitive antenna to detect the odors of blooming flowers six miles (ten kilometers) from its nest in search of nectar, which it carries with the hairs of its legs. Sometimes, it has territorial disputes with Cutiefly over fields of flowers. It also consumes sap from trees pierced by Heracross, as seen in the anime. Butterfree is found in temperate forests and jungles, but it has also been observed flying near the ocean as part of its migratory breeding pattern.

As Gigantamax Butterfree, its wings become shades of bright and dark green with a white pattern on them. At the base of the wings are a fur-like circle, which attaches to Gigantamax Butterfree's back. Its antennae become bright green as well, and extend to the point where the tip bends, and three red clouds surround them. Its eyes glow bright red. Several green scales, created from crystallized Gigantamax energy, can be seen floating around Gigantamax Butterfree. These are its most effective weapons, capable of causing paralysis, poisoning, or sleep. Gigantamax Butterfree scatters these scales by the winds that it generates with each flap of its wings; these winds are powerful enough to lift a 10-ton truck.

Appearances[]

Main Pokémon games[]

Other Pokémon games[]

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team: Butterfree is the mother of Caterpie, who she sends the player to rescue in the first mission of the game.

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Trophy descriptions[]

In the anime[]

Butterfree anime

Ash's Butterfree and a Pink Butterfree

Ash Ketchum had a Butterfree that he caught as a Caterpie, the first Pokémon he ever caught. He evolved from Metapod in Challenge of the Samurai. Butterfree was also the first Pokémon that Ash let go, allowing him to mate with a pink Butterfree in Bye Bye Butterfree. He later reunited with Ash in JN136. Butterfree is the first Pokémon that Ash released.

Origin and inspiration[]

Butterfree seems to be based on the black-veined white butterfly.

Butterfree may be a combination of butterfly and free.

In-game information[]

Pokédex entries[]

Title Entry
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue In battle, it flaps its wings at high speed to release highly toxic dust into the air.
Pokémon Yellow Its wings, covered with poisonous powders, repel water. This allows it to fly in the rain.
Pokémon Stadium Its wings are covered with poisonous dust. If you see one flapping its wings, be careful not to inhale any of the dust.
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold It collects honey every day. It rubs honey onto the hairs on its legs to carry it back to its nest.
Pokémon Silver Water-repellent powder on its wings enables it to collect honey, even in the heaviest of rains.
Pokémon Crystal It flits from flower to flower, collecting honey. It can even identify distant flowers in bloom.
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon 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.
Pokémon 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.
Pokémon 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.
Pokémon FireRed The wings are protected by a rain-repellent dust. As a result, this Pokémon can fly about even in rain.
Pokémon LeafGreen In battle, it flaps its wings at great speed to release highly toxic dust into the air.
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.
Pokémon Pearl It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.
Pokémon Platinum It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.
Pokémon HeartGold It collects honey every day. It rubs honey onto the hairs on its legs to carry it back to its nest.
Pokémon SoulSilver Water-repellent powder on its wings enables it to collect honey, even in the heaviest of rains.
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.
Pokémon White It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.
Pokémon Black 2 It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.
Pokémon White 2 It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.
Pokémon Y The wings are protected by rain-repellent dust. As a result, this Pokémon can fly about even in rain.
Pokémon 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.
Pokémon Alpha 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.
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun Close examination of its large eyes reveals that each eye is composed of a myriad of tiny eyes.
Pokémon Moon When attacked by other Pokémon, it defends itself by scattering its poisonous scales and fluttering its wings.
Pokémon Ultra Sun Its wings are covered in toxic scales. If it finds bird Pokémon going after Caterpie, Butterfree sprinkles its scales on them to drive them off.
Pokémon Ultra Moon Nectar from pretty flowers is its favorite food. In fields of flowers, it has heated battles with Cutiefly for territory.
Pokémon Let's Go
Pikachu
Its wings, covered with poisonous powder, repel water. This allows it to fly in the rain.
Pokémon Let's Go
Eevee
Its wings, covered with poisonous powder, repel water. This allows it to fly in the rain.
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword In battle, it flaps its wings at great speed to release highly toxic dust into the air.
Pokémon Shield It collects honey every day. It rubs honey onto the hairs on its legs to carry it back to its nest.


Game locations[]

Title Location(s)
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue
Evolve Metapod
Pokémon Yellow
Evolve Metapod
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold
Route 2Morn

National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)Tu/Th/Sa

Azalea Town, Ilex Forest,Lake of Rage, Route 26, 27, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 (Headbutt)
Pokémon Silver
National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)Tu/Th/Sa
Pokémon Crystal
Routes 2, 24, and 25Morn/Day

National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)Tu/Th/Sa

Ilex Forest (Headbutt)
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby
Trade
Pokémon FireRed
Evolve Metapod
Pokémon LeafGreen
Evolve Metapod
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond
Evolve Metapod
Pokémon Pearl
Evolve Metapod
Pokémon Platinum
Evolve Metapod
Pokémon HeartGold
Route 2, Viridian Forest
National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)
Route 47, Ilex Forest (Headbutt)
Pokémon SoulSilver
National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black
Trade
Pokémon White
Route 12 (Rustling grass)
Pokémon White 2
Pinwheel Forest (Hidden Grotto)
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X
Friend Safari (Bug)
Pokémon Y
Friend Safari (Bug)
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun
Route 5, Melemele Meadow
Route 5, Melemele Meadow, Lush Jungle (SOS Battle)
Pokémon Moon
Route 5, Melemele Meadow
Route 5, Melemele Meadow, Lush Jungle (SOS Battle)
Pokémon Ultra Sun
Route 5, Melemele Meadow
Route 5, Melemele Meadow, Lush Jungle (SOS Battle)
Pokémon Ultra Moon
Route 5, Melemele Meadow
Route 5, Melemele Meadow, Lush Jungle (SOS Battle)
Pokémon Let's Go
Pikachu
Viridian Forest
Pokémon Let's Go
Eevee
Viridian Forest
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword
East Lake Axewell, Rolling Fields, Deep Slumbering Weald, Giant's Mirror
Max Raid Battle - Rolling Fields *
Pokémon Shield
East Lake Axewell, Rolling Fields, Deep Slumbering Weald, Giant's Mirror
Max Raid Battle - Rolling Fields *


Evolution[]

Caterpie
Reach level 7.
Metapod
Reach level 10.
Butterfree
PKMN010 PKMN011 PKMN012

Form Change[]

Butterfree
Dynamax
with Gigantamax Factor
Butterfree
Gigantamax Form
PKMN012 Butterfree (Gigantamax)

Base Stats[]

Gen I-V[]

Base Stats
HP 60
Attack 45
Defense 50
Sp. Attack 80
Sp. Defense 80
Speed 70
Total 385

Gen VI +[]

Base Stats
HP 60
Attack 45
Defense 50
Sp. Attack 90
Sp. Defense 80
Speed 70
Total 395

Moveset[]

Main article: Butterfree/moveset

Gallery[]

Sprites[]

Sprites
Red Green
PKMNRG012
Red Blue
PKMNRB012
Yellow
PKMNY012
Gold
PKMNG012


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Silver
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Crystal
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Ruby Sapphire
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Emerald
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Fire Leaf
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Diamond Pearl
PKMNDP012


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Platinum
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File:PKMNP012.png


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Heart Soul
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Black White
PKMNBW012


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Black 2 White 2
PKMNBW2012


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X Y
PKMNXY012


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Pikachu Eevee
PKMNLGPE012


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File:PKMNLGPE012-S.png

Sword Shield
PKMNSS012


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Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
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Trivia[]

  • Butterfree was the first Pokémon shown in the anime with an alternate color, pink in its case. 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.
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