Rhopalocera

The subject of this article is from the Frontiers update.
The information from this article is up-to-date as of 15 February, 2022.

Rhopalocera

Location	Flying
Type	Genus
Description	butterflies / dragonflies etc
Updated	Frontiers

This article is about the current version of Rhopalocera. For the Desolation version, see Rhopalocera.

Rhopalocera are a genus in No Man's Sky.

Summary[ | ]

Rhopalocera is a genus of fauna in No Man's Sky.

Species from this genus are referred to as "butterflies" (the term used by the game code), "moths," "dragonflies," or "sporeflies" depending on their appearance. This genus contains significant variation, with four recognized subgenera, one of which consistently ranks among the smallest fauna in the simulation.

Flying/Hovering Distinction[ | ]

Although the game classifies Rhopalocera as "flying" fauna, it may technically be more appropriate to consider them a terrestrial-hovering genus similar to flying Ungulatis or Mogara, as they maintain a roughly constant and fairly close proximity to the ground. Prior to the Origins Update, they also did not occupy the same slots on the fauna lists of planets as "true" flying genera like Agnelis, Cycromys, or Oxyacta.

Subgenera, Major Variants, & Characteristics[ | ]

Rhopalocera has four major variants: the classic / pygmy butterflies, the anomalous butterflies, the sporeflies, and the large butterflies.

Classic / Pygmy Butterflies[ | ]

Pygmy butterflies (which also includes dragonfly-like and moth-like species) will have wings divided into two sections. In other words, the animal may just have two wings like an Earth butterfly, or it may have dragonfly-like wings that move as if they were butterfly wings. These butterflies are found exclusively in groups, usually of 8+ individuals in a group.

Anomalous Butterflies[ | ]

Anomalous butterflies are very similar to pygmy butterflies in most regards, but differ in that they have a more consistent appearance and are found exclusively on Irri Shells-type Exotic planets.

Sporeflies[ | ]

Sporeflies are the smallest group of fauna in the simulation. Rather than wings, these fauna will have "flaps" which may slightly flap, or may just stay still as they blow in the breeze. Some have compared them to the appearance of a germ cell or jellyfish. They are almost always found in groups of 3+.

Large Butterflies[ | ]

Large Butterflies (which also includes moth-like species) will create an audible flapping noise when flying nearby, and are easily visually distinguishable from other butterfly variants. As the name implies, they are much larger than other butterflies, and similarly to the Bosoptera genus, they exhibit the behavior of landing on the ground occasionally, flying away if a traveler approaches too close.

It is possible to adopt these particular sub-genus as Companions.

Gallery[ | ]

Origins[ | ]

Y. Treetoalica (Halloween Sporefly), planet Hephaestus II. This species belongs to the Sporefly subgenus.
W. Slapwesus (Twilight Serpentfly) in flight, planet Hephaestus II. This species belongs to the Large Butterfly subgenus.
W. Slapwesus (Twilight Serpentfly) at rest, planet Hephaestus II. This species belongs to the Large Butterfly subgenus.
Nymphiptere Birdwing (Z. Brickhorysera) in flight on Ocullu Aido, belonging to the Large Butterfly subgenus