Butterfree

Butterfree (; Japanese: Hepburn: ) is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon media franchise, and the evolved form of Metapod, an evolution of the Pokémon Caterpie. First introduced in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue, it is among the first Pokémon available to the player and evolves sooner than most other Pokémon species. In Pokémon Sword and Shield, a new form for Butterfree called Gigantamax Butterfree was introduced that increases its size significantly and changes aspects of its design. Since Butterfree's debut, it has appeared in multiple games in the series, including Pokémon Go and the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as various merchandise.

Classified as both a Bug and Flying-type Pokémon, Butterfree is an insect which is based on a butterfly, while its previous forms are based on a caterpillar and chrysalis, respectively. It has white wings with black patterns, antennae, red compound eyes, and a purple two-segment body with blue hands and feet. Entomologist Rebecca M. Kittel argued that Butterfree and its prior forms all take inspiration from different insects. Due to these dissimilarities, an urban legend was formed that suggested the Pokémon Venomoth originally evolved from Metapod and that Butterfree evolved from Venonat due to their similarities.