Abaeis is a genus of butterflies in the family Pieridae, commonly known as the sulphurs or whites. The genus includes the sleepy orange (Abaeis nicippe), a species found in North America. Members of this genus are typically small to medium-sized butterflies with yellow or orange coloration. The genus was established by Jacob Hübner in 1819.
Sleepy Orange
Abaeis nicippe, commonly known as the Sleepy Orange, is a medium-sized butterfly in the family Pieridae. The species exhibits seasonal variation in coloration, with summer individuals typically bright orange and winter forms showing darker, more heavily marked wings. It is known for its hilltopping behavior, where males patrol ridge tops and summits to locate females. The species has been documented engaging in aerial competitions with other males when pursuing females.
Hoary Edge
Achalarus lyciades, commonly known as the Hoary Edge, is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is a medium-sized species with distinctive wing patterning and is associated with leguminous host plants. The species occurs in eastern North America and is active during the warmer months. Adults are known to visit flowers for nectar.
spot-celled sister
Adelpha basiloides is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the spot-celled sister. It belongs to the genus Adelpha, a group of butterflies often called admirals or sisters. The species is found in North and Central America. The specific epithet and common name reference distinctive wing pattern characteristics.
California sister
Adelpha californica, the California sister, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae found in western North America. Adults are active from March through November, with one to three generations per year depending on conditions. The species is unpalatable to predators and serves as the model for a large mimicry complex involving other butterflies. Larvae feed exclusively on oaks (Quercus), particularly canyon live oak and coast live oak.
Arizona Sister
Adelpha eulalia, commonly known as the Arizona Sister, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the serpa species group within the genus Adelpha. The species was previously treated as a subspecies of Adelpha bredowii (Bredow's Sister), but phylogenetic studies based on morphological, geographical, and genetic evidence have established it as a distinct species.
Band-celled Sister, Mexican Sister
Adelpha fessonia is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the band-celled sister or Mexican sister. The species occurs from Panama northward through Central America to Mexico, with periodic vagrant populations establishing in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Adults have a wingspan of 56–70 mm. The species exhibits partial migration patterns, with Texas populations representing temporary rather than permanent residents.
European peacock butterfly, peacock butterfly
A colorful nymphalid butterfly found across Europe and temperate Asia to Japan. Adults overwinter and emerge in spring to reproduce. Recent studies in Belgium demonstrate a shift from univoltine to bivoltine life history, with three flight peaks now observed: spring (overwintering adults), early summer (first generation), and autumn (second generation). The species is known for prominent eyespots on its wings that function in anti-predator defense.
Milbert's Tortoiseshell, Fire-rim Tortoiseshell
Aglais milberti is a medium-sized butterfly native to North America and the only representative of the genus Aglais on the continent. It is one of two tortoiseshell butterfly species in North America, distinguished by its black wings with wide orange to yellow submarginal bands. Adults hibernate through winter and produce two broods annually. The species occupies diverse moist habitats across a broad geographic range spanning Canada, Alaska, and most of the continental United States.
Small Tortoiseshell
Aglais urticae, commonly known as the Small Tortoiseshell, is a widespread Eurasian butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is one of the most familiar butterflies across Europe, recognized by its distinctive orange and black wing pattern with blue marginal spots. The species is strongly associated with nettle patches, which serve as the primary larval foodplant. Adults are frequently observed in gardens, meadows, and woodland edges, and are known for their territorial behavior and extended hibernation as adults.
Gulf Fritillary
Agraulis incarnata, commonly known as the Gulf Fritillary, is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The species is widely distributed across the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Adults are characterized by bright orange upper wings with black markings and three white spots on the forewing. The caterpillars feed exclusively on passionflower vines (Passiflora spp.), sequestering cyanogenic glycosides from their host plants for chemical defense. The species is a sporadic migrant in northern parts of its range, occasionally establishing temporary colonies before winter mortality.
Aguna is a Neotropical genus of skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae) in the subfamily Eudaminae. Species in this genus are associated with Fabaceae host plants, particularly Bauhinia species. The genus was established by Williams in 1927 and contains multiple species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.
Roadside-Skippers
Amblyscirtes is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as Roadside-Skippers. The genus was established by Samuel Hubbard Scudder in 1872. Species in this genus are small, relatively inconspicuous skippers found primarily in North America. The caterpillars feed on grasses, and adults are typically associated with open, disturbed habitats including roadsides and trails.
Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper
A small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, found in the southeastern and south-central United States. Adults have a wingspan of 30–38 mm and are active from March through September, with two generations per year. The common name refers to the lacy pattern on the wings.
Dusky Roadside-Skipper, Blue-dusted Roadside Skipper
Amblyscirtes alternata, commonly known as the Dusky Roadside-Skipper or Blue-dusted Roadside Skipper, is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in the southeastern and south-central United States, from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas. Adults are active from spring through late summer, with multiple generations per year in warmer regions.
Carolina Roadside-Skipper, Carolina roadside skipper
Amblyscirtes carolina is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the Carolina roadside skipper. It occurs in the southeastern United States with scattered populations extending northward and westward. Adults are active from spring through late summer with multiple generations per year. The species has a wingspan of 29–37 mm and is associated with moist habitats where its larval host plant grows.
Celia's Roadside-Skipper, roadside rambler
Amblyscirtes celia is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as Celia's Roadside-Skipper or roadside rambler. It is found from Texas south to northeastern Mexico, with occasional strays to southwestern Louisiana. The species has multiple generations per year and is active throughout the year in southern Texas.
Elissa Roadside-Skipper
Amblyscirtes elissa, commonly known as the Elissa Roadside-Skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species was described by Godman in 1900 and occurs in Central America and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: A. e. elissa (the nominate subspecies) and A. e. arizonae, described by Freeman in 1993. Like other members of its genus, it is a small, rapid-flying butterfly associated with grassy habitats.
Large Roadside-Skipper
Amblyscirtes exoteria, commonly known as the large roadside skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The species belongs to the genus Amblyscirtes, a group of small to medium-sized skippers often associated with grassy habitats and roadsides.
orange-edged roadside skipper
Amblyscirtes fimbriata, the orange-edged roadside skipper, is a grass skipper in the butterfly family Hesperiidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The species was described by Plötz in 1882, originally as Hesperia fimbriata. Two subspecies are recognized: A. f. fimbriata and A. f. pallida.
Orange-headed Roadside-Skipper, Red-headed Roadside Skipper
Amblyscirtes phylace is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, distributed from the southwestern United States to Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of 22–29 mm and are characterized by orange or reddish coloration on the head. The species is known to feed on flower nectar as adults.
Tropical Leafwing
Anaea aidea, commonly known as the tropical leafwing, is a brush-footed butterfly in the subfamily Charaxinae. It occurs from Mexico to northwestern Costa Rica, with occasional strays reaching the southern United States. The species has a wingspan of 57–78 mm and is recognized for its leaf-like wing appearance. Some taxonomic treatments consider it a subspecies of Anaea troglodyta.
Goatweed Leafwing, Goatweed Butterfly
Anaea andria is a leafwing butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the Goatweed Leafwing. It is native to North America and is named for its association with goatweed (Croton capitatus) and related plants. The species is notable for its leaf-like wing appearance when at rest. It has two recognized subspecies: A. a. andria and A. a. andriaesta.
Anaeini is a tribe of brush-footed butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Charaxinae. These Neotropical butterflies are renowned for their remarkable dead leaf mimicry: when at rest with wings closed, the undersides closely resemble dried, brown foliage. The tribe includes approximately nine genera, among them Anaea, Memphis, Fountainea, Zaretis, and Hypna. Some taxonomic uncertainty exists regarding the placement of Anaeomorpha, which is sometimes included in Anaeini but more frequently assigned to the related tribe Preponini.
Banded Peacock, Fatima
Anartia fatima, the banded peacock, is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It occurs from southern Texas through Mexico and Central America to Panama, inhabiting subtropical open areas and disturbed habitats such as second-growth woodlands. Males defend territories around host plants to secure mating opportunities, a behavior documented in both this species and its congener Anartia jatrophae. The species exhibits wing color polymorphism, with individuals bearing either white or yellow median bands.
Anatrytone is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, distributed across the New World. The genus contains at least eight described species organized into two species-groups: the logan group (including the Delaware skipper) and the mella group. Species within this genus are generally associated with grassland and open habitat ecosystems. The genus was established by Dyar in 1905.
Delaware Skipper
Anatrytone logan, commonly known as the Delaware skipper, is a North American grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It ranges from the southern Canadian Prairies and southern Ontario through the midwestern and eastern United States. The species exhibits sexual monomorphism in coloration, with both sexes displaying yellow-orange wings with black borders and dark brown venation. It is multivoltine in warmer regions and univoltine in northern areas, with larval development dependent on native grasses.
white angled-sulphur, ghost brimstone
Anteos clorinde is a large pierid butterfly with a broad Neotropical distribution extending into the southern United States. Adults are characterized by their pale yellow to white wings with distinctive angled margins. The species exhibits year-round flight in tropical regions and seasonal emergence in northern portions of its range. Larval development is tied to host plants in the genus Senna.
crescents, crescent butterflies
Anthanassa is a genus of brush-footed butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, found from the United States through Central America to South America. The genus comprises approximately 17 described species, many bearing common names with "crescent" (e.g., Texan crescent, orange-patched crescent, chestnut crescent). Taxonomic placement remains debated; one authority treats Anthanassa as a subgenus of Phyciodes. Adults typically display orange and black patterned wings with crescent-shaped markings.
Texan crescentspot, Texan Crescent
Anthanassa texana, the Texan crescentspot, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found from Guatemala north through Mexico to the southern United States, with strays reaching as far north as South Dakota and central Nevada. The species is multivoltine, with adults active year-round in southern Texas and the tropics, and from March to November in southern Florida and Arizona. Larvae feed on leaves of low-growing Acanthaceae plants, while adults feed on flower nectar.
Pale-banded Crescent, Tulcis Crescent
Anthanassa tulcis, commonly known as the Pale-banded Crescent or Tulcis Crescent, is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Henry Walter Bates in 1864. The species ranges from Argentina northward through Central America and Mexico to southern Texas, with occasional strays to west Texas. Some taxonomic authorities treat A. tulcis as a subspecies of A. frisia (the Cuban Crescent), but it is widely accepted as a distinct species in modern classifications.
Julia Orangetip, Southern Rocky Mountain Orangetip
Anthocharis julia is a butterfly species in the family Pieridae, commonly known as the Julia Orangetip or Southern Rocky Mountain Orangetip. It is one of three species in the sara species group, distinguished by more than 2% mitochondrial DNA COI barcode divergence from congeners A. sara and A. thoosa. Molecular and morphological evidence consistently support its species status with no detected introgression or hybridization. The species is endemic to the southern Rocky Mountains on the eastern side of the range.
Flora Orangetip
Anthocharis julia flora is a subspecies of orangetip butterfly in the family Pieridae, first described by Wright in 1892. It belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive orange-tipped forewings in males. The subspecies is part of the Anthocharis julia species complex, which includes multiple geographically distributed subspecies across western North America.
Southern Rocky Mountain orangetip
Anthocharis julia julia is a subspecies of orangetip butterfly in the family Pieridae, found in the southern Rocky Mountain region. Adults are active in early spring and are distinguished by orange wing tips in males and more subdued coloration in females. The subspecies represents the nominate form of A. julia, described by Edwards in 1872.
Gray Marble
Anthocharis lanceolata, commonly known as the gray marble, is a butterfly species in the family Pieridae. First described by Hippolyte Lucas in 1852, this species occurs along the west coast of North America from Canada to the United States. Like other members of the genus Anthocharis, males typically display orange or yellow wing tips. The species is part of a group known for hilltopping behavior, where males patrol ridge tops and summits seeking females.
Falcate Orangetip
A univoltine pierid butterfly native to eastern North America, characterized by the orange-tipped forewings of males and distinctive green marbled hindwing undersides. Adults emerge in early spring and live approximately one week. The species specializes on Brassicaceae host plants, with documented ecological trap dynamics involving the invasive plant Alliaria petiolata.
Sara orangetip, Pacific orangetip
Anthocharis sara is a pierid butterfly native to western North America, ranging from Baja California north to extreme southwestern Oregon and east to the Sierra Nevada and western Nevada. It is one of three distinct species in the Sara orangetip complex, separated from A. julia and A. thoosa by >2% mitochondrial DNA COI barcode divergence and morphological characters of immature stages. The species exhibits strong seasonality with two broods annually and has been documented utilizing diverse mustard family host plants.
False Thoosa Orangetip
A subspecies of orangetip butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is closely related to other Anthocharis sara subspecies and shares the characteristic orange-tipped forewings of the species group. The subspecific epithet 'pseudothoosa' indicates its taxonomic relationship to the nominate form.
Sara Orangetip, Pacific Orangetip
Anthocharis sara sara is the nominate subspecies of the Sara orangetip butterfly, ranging along the Pacific coast of North America. Adults display distinctive orange wing tips on otherwise white forewings, with green marbling on the ventral hindwings. The subspecies is associated with coastal and montane habitats where its host plants in the mustard family occur.
Sara Orange-Tip
Anthocharis sara sempervirens is a subspecies of the Sara Orange-Tip butterfly, first described in 2008. It belongs to the family Pieridae, which includes the whites and sulphurs. The subspecies epithet "sempervirens" (meaning "evergreen") references the coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forests with which this butterfly is associated. Like other orange-tips, males display distinctive orange coloration on the forewing tips.
Southwestern Orangetip
Anthocharis thoosa is a butterfly in the family Pieridae, commonly known as the southwestern orangetip. It belongs to the Anthocharis sara species group, one of four distinct species groups of North American Anthocharis. DNA barcoding studies confirm it as a valid species, separated from A. sara and A. julia by more than 2% COI sequence divergence. It exhibits the largest intraspecific barcode divergence within its species group, with identifiable haplotypes across different metapopulations.
Anthocharis thoosa colorado is a subspecies of butterfly in the family Pieridae, described by Scott & Fisher in 2008. It was originally described as Anthocharis sara colorado. The taxon belongs to a genus commonly known as orangetips, recognized for the orange apical markings on the forewings of males. Information specific to this subspecies is extremely limited.
Ingham's Orangetip
Anthocharis thoosa inghami is a subspecies of orangetip butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is one of several recognized subspecies of Anthocharis thoosa, a species complex distributed across western North America. Like other orangetips, adults are active in early spring and are associated with specific larval host plants in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). The subspecies epithet 'inghami' honors a collector or researcher, following standard entomological naming conventions.
Pink-spot Sulphur
Aphrissa neleis, commonly known as the Pink-spot Sulphur, is a butterfly species in the family Pieridae. The species was originally described as Callidryas neleis by Boisduval in 1836. It belongs to a genus of sulphur butterflies found in the Neotropical region.
Ares Metalmark
Apodemia ares, the Ares Metalmark, is a species of butterfly in the family Riodinidae. It is found in North America. The species was first described by William Henry Edwards in 1882. Like other metalmarks, it belongs to a distinctive group of butterflies characterized by their small size and often metallic wing markings.
Organ Mountain metalmark, Mexican metalmark, Dury's Metalmark
Apodemia duryi is a species of metalmark butterfly in the family Riodinidae, native to the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. The species is named after its collector, W. Dury, and is primarily associated with dry, rocky habitats in mountain ranges. Adults are active during the warmer months and are known to visit flowers for nectar.
Hepburn's Metalmark
Apodemia hepburni, known as Hepburn's Metalmark, is a butterfly species in the family Riodinidae. It is found in North America. The species has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 4404. Beyond basic taxonomic placement and geographic distribution, detailed natural history information for this species remains limited.
A subspecies of metalmark butterfly in the family Riodinidae, described by Scott in 1998. The subspecies epithet 'pueblo' suggests an association with the Pueblo, Colorado region or nearby areas. As a member of the genus Apodemia, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized butterflies commonly known as metalmarks for their characteristic metallic spotting patterns.
Nais Metalmark
Apodemia nais, commonly known as the Nais Metalmark, is a butterfly species in the family Riodinidae. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species was first described by Edwards in 1871.
Palmer's Metalmark, Gray Metalmark
Apodemia palmerii, commonly known as Palmer's Metalmark or Gray Metalmark, is a species of butterfly in the family Riodinidae. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is associated with desert and scrubland habitats where its host plants grow. Adults are active during warmer months and visit flowers for nectar.