The number of species of butterflies recorded in Iberia stands presently at 226 in these family groups;
Papilionidae: Swallowtails, Festoon, Apollos
Pieridae: Whites, Yellows, Orange tips
Lycaenidae: Hairstreaks, Coppers, Blues
Libytheidae: Nettle Tree Butterfly
Nymphalidae: Admiral, Tortoiseshell, Fritillaries
Satyridae: Browns, Heaths, Graylings, Marbled Whites
Hesperidae: Skippers

Many of the butterflies to be seen in Iberia are well known as they are common around much of Europe. There are however several species that are unique to Spain.
Whereas some species are sedentary, remaining close to their food plants and specific requirements, there are others that are migratory, travelling vast distances. One such migratory species is the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) that sets out from North Africa in early spring reaching the UK around June.

Some of the species have such strict requirements to altitude, food plant availability, temperatures etc that they are quite rare. These are the ones most endangered by human developments within their areas. Two such species under threat from speculation of natural environments within Spain are the;

Mountain Fritillary (Boloria napaea) which may have an isolated colony destroyed if the plans go ahead to create a ski resort on previously untouched land at the “San Glorio Pass” Puerto de San Glorio (Cantabria).
(This butterfly is better protected in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, Aragon).

Greenish black-tip (Euchloe charlonia) [Elphinstonia charlonia] is found at Los Monegros (between Aragón and Catalonia) but 2,000 hectares (4,943 acres) of this steppe area is set to be built on creating a gambling city similar to Las Vegas.
Another small area where they can be seen in Spain is near to the Sierra de Baza in Andalucia, they are more frequent in Africa and the Canary Islands)

National and Natural Parks of Spain that have a high diversity of butterflies:
Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park (Huesca)
Picos de Europa National Park (Asturias, Cantabria y León)
Sierra Nevada National Park (Granada y Almería)
Macizo del Montseny Natural Park (Barcelona y Gerona)
Dehesa del Moncayo Natural Park (Zaragoza)
Sierra y Cañones de Güara Natural Park (Huesca)