Brush-footed-butterfly
Guides
Aglais
Tortoiseshells
Aglais is a Holarctic genus of brush-footed butterflies commonly known as tortoiseshells. The genus contains several well-known European species including the small tortoiseshell (A. urticae) and the peacock butterfly (A. io). Taxonomic placement remains somewhat contentious, with some authorities treating Aglais as a subgenus of Nymphalis rather than a separate genus. Species in this genus are characterized by their distinctive wing patterns and adult hibernation behavior.
Anartia jatrophae
White Peacock, white peacock butterfly
Anartia jatrophae, commonly called the white peacock, is a brush-footed butterfly native to the Neotropics with a range extending from the southeastern United States through Central America to northern Argentina. Males exhibit a distinctive territorial behavior, defending circular areas approximately 15 meters in diameter that contain larval host plants. The species has been the subject of taxonomic debate regarding its subspecies classification, with molecular studies supporting the recognition of at least four distinct genetic lineages.
Asterocampa celtis celtis
Eastern Hackberry Butterfly
Asterocampa celtis celtis is the nominate subspecies of the Hackberry Butterfly, a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is strongly associated with hackberry trees (Celtis spp.) throughout its life cycle, with larvae feeding exclusively on these host plants. The subspecies ranges across eastern North America, where it is a common and widespread resident of woodland edges and riparian corridors.
Asterocampa clyton
tawny emperor
Asterocampa clyton, the tawny emperor, is a brush-footed butterfly native to eastern North America. Adults are distinguished from the similar hackberry emperor by orange-brown forewings with pale orange-yellow spots and the absence of white forewing spots and a lower black eyespot. The species exhibits a dark morph with nearly uniformly dark hindwings in some regions. Adults rarely visit flowers, instead feeding on carrion, plant sap, and dung. The sole larval host is hackberry (Celtis spp.).
Asterocampa clyton flora
Florida Tawny Emperor
Asterocampa clyton flora is a subspecies of the tawny emperor butterfly, commonly known as the Florida Tawny Emperor. It is endemic to Florida and is distinguished from other subspecies by subtle differences in wing pattern and coloration. Like other members of the genus, adults are known to feed on sap flows, rotting fruit, and animal dung rather than flower nectar. The subspecies is associated with forested habitats where its larval host plants, hackberries (Celtis spp.), occur.
Biblis
red rim, crimson-banded black
Biblis is a monotypic genus of brush-footed butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, established by Fabricius in 1807. The sole species, Biblis hyperia, is commonly known as the red rim or crimson-banded black. This butterfly is distributed across the Americas from the southern United States through Central America to South America.
Biblis hyperia
red rim, crimson-banded black, Southern Red Rim
Biblis hyperia is a brush-footed butterfly (family Nymphalidae) and the sole member of its genus. Adults display striking velvety-black forewings contrasted with gray hindwings bearing a distinctive pinkish-red marginal band. The species occurs from the southern United States through the Neotropics to Paraguay, with flight activity recorded primarily between March and November. Larvae feed on the spurge family vine Tragia volubilis.
Chlosyne palla calydon
Calydon Checkerspot
Chlosyne palla calydon is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the Calydon Checkerspot. It belongs to a group of brush-footed butterflies characterized by orange and black checkered wing patterns. The subspecies was described by W. Holland in 1931. Records indicate its presence in North America.
Cyllopsis pertepida
Canyonland Satyr, Canyonland Gemmed-Satyr
Cyllopsis pertepida is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the canyonland satyr or canyonland gemmed-satyr. The species was first described by Dyar in 1912 and is native to North America. It belongs to the genus Cyllopsis, which comprises small to medium-sized satyr butterflies typically associated with forested habitats. The species has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 4572. Three subspecies are recognized: C. p. avicula, C. p. dorothea, and C. p. maniola, all described by Nabokov in 1942.
Dryas
Julia heliconians
Dryas is a monotypic genus of brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) containing the single species Dryas iulia, commonly known as the Julia butterfly or Julia heliconian. Native from Brazil through Central America to the southern United States, this species has been observed as far north as eastern Nebraska during summer months. The genus is notable for its specialized feeding behavior, with adults known to drink tears from reptiles and eye secretions from sleeping birds to obtain salts and amino acids. Over 15 subspecies have been described across its broad Neotropical and Nearctic range.
Dynamine dyonis
blue-eyed sailor
Dynamine dyonis, commonly known as the blue-eyed sailor, is a species of tropical brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Hübner in 1837. The species is found in North America and has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 4534.
Microtia elada
Elada Checkerspot
Microtia elada, commonly known as the Elada Checkerspot, is a butterfly species in the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. The species was formerly placed in the genus Texola, and some sources still use this synonym. It is a North American species with a distribution spanning from the southwestern United States into Mexico.
Neonympha helicta
Helicta Satyr
Neonympha helicta, known as the Helicta Satyr, is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The species is found in North America and has a doubtful taxonomic status according to GBIF. It was originally described by Jacob Hübner in 1808 as Oreas helicta. Three subspecies are recognized: N. h. helicta, N. h. dadeensis, and N. h. septentrionalis.
Nymphalis
tortoiseshells, anglewing butterflies
Nymphalis is a genus of brush-footed butterflies commonly known as tortoiseshells or anglewing butterflies. The genus name, established by Jan Krzysztof Kluk in 1780, has priority in zoological nomenclature for this group. Members are characterized by cryptic ventral wing patterns that provide camouflage during hibernation. All species in this group overwinter as adults and are restricted to the northern hemisphere. The sister group is Vanessa.
Phyciodes incognitus
Phyciodes incognitus is a species of brush-footed butterfly in the genus Phyciodes, which includes the crescent butterflies. The genus Phyciodes comprises small to medium-sized butterflies characterized by orange and black wing patterns with distinctive crescent-shaped markings on the hindwings. Species within this genus are primarily North American and are associated with asteraceous host plants.
Polygonia interrogationis
Question Mark, question mark butterfly
Polygonia interrogationis, commonly called the question mark butterfly, is a North American nymphalid butterfly recognized by the distinctive silver ?-shaped mark on the underside of its hindwing. Adults have a wingspan of 4.5–7.6 cm and exhibit cryptic coloration resembling a dead leaf when wings are closed. The species produces two generations annually, with adults active from May through September. Winter-form adults hibernate in sheltered locations and emerge in spring to reproduce.
Siproeta stelenes
Malachite
Siproeta stelenes, commonly known as the malachite, is a neotropical brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is named for the mineral malachite due to the brilliant green or yellow-green coloration on the upperside of its wings. The species ranges from Brazil through Central America to Mexico, with populations also established in southern Florida, southern Texas, and several Caribbean islands. Adults are long-lived and feed on diverse carbohydrate sources including flower nectar, rotting fruit, and even carrion. Larvae feed on plants in the family Acanthaceae.