Behr's Metalmark
Apodemia virgulti, commonly known as Behr's metalmark, is a butterfly species in the family Riodinidae. The species was first described by Behr in 1865 under the basionym Nemeobius virgulti. It is native to North America and has been documented in at least 7,200 observations on iNaturalist. Eight subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies A. v. virgulti and seven others described by Emmel and colleagues in 1998.
Walker's Metalmark
Apodemia walkeri, commonly known as Walker's metalmark, is a butterfly species in the family Riodinidae. It was first described by Frederick DuCane Godman and Osbert Salvin in 1886. The species occurs from north-western Costa Rica northward through Mexico, with occasional vagrancy to the lower Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas.
zela metalmark, Mexican Zela Metalmark
Apodemia zela is a species of metalmark butterfly in the family Riodinidae, first described by Butler in 1870 under the basionym Emesis zela. The species occurs in North America and is recognized by two subspecies: A. z. zela and A. z. cleis. Metalmarks in this genus are typically small to medium-sized butterflies with distinctive wing patterns.
stripe-streaks, stripestreaks
Arawacus is a genus of gossamer-wing butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as stripe-streaks. The genus contains approximately 17 described species distributed throughout the Neotropical realm, from Mexico south through Central America to Brazil, Peru, and Argentina. Members of this genus are notable for their distinctive false-head defensive morphology on the hindwings, which helps misdirect predator attacks away from vital body parts.
one-spotted prepona, banded king shoemaker, demophon shoemaker
Archaeoprepona demophon is a neotropical butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, recognized by its black wings with bright pale blue transverse bands. The species ranges from Mexico through Central America and the West Indies to northern South America. It inhabits forest edges at canopy and subcanopy levels. Larvae feed on plants in the genus Annona and Malpighia glabra, while adults are attracted to rotting fruit and dung.
Hackberry Butterflies, American Emperors
Asterocampa is a genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as hackberry butterflies or American emperors. The genus contains four recognized species distributed primarily in North and Central America and the Caribbean. Two species groups are recognized: the celtis group (hackberry emperor and Empress Leilia) and the clyton group (tawny emperor and dusky emperor). All species are closely associated with hackberry trees (Celtis spp.) as larval host plants.
Hackberry Emperor
Asterocampa celtis, the Hackberry Emperor, is a North American brush-footed butterfly (Nymphalidae) whose life cycle is entirely dependent on hackberry trees (Celtis spp.). Adults are known for their rapid, erratic flight and frequent habit of landing on humans to feed on sweat. The species ranges across much of the eastern and central United States, with larvae feeding exclusively on hackberry foliage.
Empress Antonia
Asterocampa celtis antonia is a subspecies of tawny emperor butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Asterocampa leilia according to GBIF taxonomy, though NCBI and iNaturalist maintain it as a distinct subspecies. The taxon was originally described by W.H. Edwards in 1878 as Apatura antonia.
Florida Hackberry Butterfly
Asterocampa celtis reinthali is a subspecies of hackberry butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is recognized as the Florida Hackberry Butterfly, distinguishing it from other subspecies of A. celtis. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with hackberry (Celtis) host plants. The subspecies was described by Friedlander in 1988.
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.).
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.
Asterocampa clyton louisa is a subspecies of the tawny emperor butterfly, recognized by Stallings & Turner in 1947. It belongs to the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the brush-footed butterflies. The species is known to feed on fermenting tree sap, often aggregating with other insects at sap flows on hardwood trees.
Empress Leilia, Leilia hackberry butterfly, desert hackberry
Asterocampa leilia, commonly known as the Empress Leilia or desert hackberry, is a medium-sized brush-footed butterfly (Nymphalidae) native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults are brownish-orange with distinctive white and black spots on the ventral wing surfaces. The species is closely associated with hackberry (Celtis) host plants and exhibits notable behavioral adaptations for mate location, including perching and patrolling strategies. Males engage in territorial defense and behavioral thermoregulation at sunlit perching sites.
Sachems and Allies
Atalopedes is a genus of skipper butterflies (family Hesperiidae) containing approximately seven species distributed across North and South America. The genus includes notable species such as Atalopedes campestris (sachem skipper), which has been extensively studied for its response to climate change, and Atalopedes huron (Huron skipper). Species within this genus are associated with grassland and prairie habitats, where adults frequently visit flowers for nectar. The genus was described by Scudder in 1872.
Deva Skipper
Atrytonopsis deva, commonly known as the Deva Skipper, is a species of grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is found in both Central America and North America. The species was originally described as Hesperia deva by Edwards in 1876. It is assigned Hodges number 4081 in the North American Moth Photographers Group numbering system. As a member of the grass skipper group, it likely exhibits the rapid, darting flight characteristic of this subfamily.
dusted skipper
Atrytonopsis hianna, commonly known as the dusted skipper, is a small butterfly in the family Hesperiidae native to North America. Adults have a wingspan of 32–43 mm and exhibit distinct seasonal patterns across their range, with single generations in northern populations and two generations in southern regions. The species is closely associated with prairie and grassland habitats where its larval host plants, big bluestem and little bluestem, occur.
Autochton is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Eudaminae. The genus was historically classified within the spread-winged skippers (Pyrginae) as a tribe before recognition of Eudaminae as a distinct subfamily. Species in this genus occur from Mexico through Central America to South America. The genus includes approximately 20 described species.
Alaskan Fritillary, Mountain Fritillary
Boloria alaskensis is a fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, described by William Jacob Holland in 1900. It occurs in North America and North European Russia. The species is very similar to Boloria pales, requiring careful identification. Two subspecies are recognized: B. a. alaskensis and B. a. halli. The larvae feed on specific host plants in the genus Polygonum.
Astarte Fritillary
Boloria astarte, commonly known as the Astarte fritillary, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It has a broad distribution across northwestern North America and northeastern Siberia. The species exhibits a wingspan of 42–51 mm and is active from mid-June to mid-August. Its larvae feed exclusively on spotted saxifrage (Saxifraga bronchialis).
Arctic fritillary, purplish fritillary
Boloria chariclea is a Holarctic butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, known as the Arctic fritillary or purplish fritillary. It inhabits cold northern environments including tundra, taiga, alpine meadows, and acid bogs. The species exhibits a two-year life cycle in some populations, with larvae hibernating during first and second winters. Multiple subspecies are recognized across its broad range, including the endemic B. c. montinus isolated in the White Mountains of New Hampshire for approximately 9,000 years.
Butler's Fritillary
Boloria chariclea butleri is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as Butler's Fritillary. It belongs to a genus of butterflies typically associated with northern and montane habitats. The species Boloria chariclea has a Holarctic distribution, with subspecies butleri occurring in North America. Like other Boloria species, it is likely associated with moist meadow and tundra-edge habitats where larval host plants in the Violaceae family occur.
Purple Lesser Fritillary
Boloria chariclea grandis is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is currently classified under the genus Boloria, though some sources place it in the genus Clossiana. The subspecies is recognized as a synonym in some taxonomic databases. It belongs to a group of butterflies commonly known as lesser fritillaries, which are typically associated with northern and montane habitats.
Pacific Fritillary
Boloria epithore, the Pacific Fritillary, is a small to medium-sized fritillary butterfly endemic to western North America. It is distinguished from other Boloria species by its geographic restriction to the Pacific coastal region and associated mountain ranges. The species completes its life cycle in association with Viola ocellata as the sole documented larval host plant. Adults are active during a relatively brief flight period in early summer.
Bog Fritillary, Ocellate Bog Fritillary
Boloria eunomia is a circumboreal fritillary butterfly distributed across the Holarctic in tundra, forest-tundra, and open acid bog habitats. Adults are orange-brown with distinctive round silver spots on the hindwing underside, a key diagnostic feature. The species exhibits ecotypic variation: meadow populations feed primarily on Polygonum bistorta, while bog populations utilize Ericaceae including Vaccinium species. It is univoltine with adults flying from late May through July depending on latitude. The species is considered vulnerable in parts of its range due to habitat loss from drainage, recreational development, and climate change.
Freija Fritillary
The Freija Fritillary (Boloria freija freija) is a subspecies of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found in both Europe and North America, with distribution records from Belarus and broader European regions as well as North American localities. As a member of the genus Boloria, it shares characteristics with other fritillary butterflies, including complex life cycles with specific host plant relationships. The subspecies is relatively poorly documented compared to congeners such as Boloria selene.
Relict Fritillary
Boloria kriemhild, the relict fritillary, is a North American butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It is a grassland-associated fritillary within the genus Boloria, which includes other species such as the silver-bordered fritillary (B. selene) and small pearl-bordered fritillary (B. selene). The species has been recorded in 212 iNaturalist observations. Its common name "relict" suggests association with remnant or isolated habitats, though specific ecological details remain limited in published sources.
Polaris Fritillary
Boloria polaris is a high-arctic butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, occurring across the northernmost regions of the Palearctic and Nearctic. It is notable for its extreme northern distribution, being one of only six butterfly species recorded on Canada's Ellesmere Island. The species exhibits a two-year life cycle, with adults flying in late June to mid-July. Its larvae feed on specific tundra plants including Dryas octopetala and Vaccinium species.
Western Pygmy Blue, Pygmy Blue
Brephidium exilis, commonly known as the Western Pygmy Blue, is the smallest butterfly species in North America. Despite its diminutive size, it is widespread and relatively common across its range, though often overlooked due to its minute stature. The species belongs to the family Lycaenidae (gossamer-winged butterflies) and is recognized as a synonym of Brephidium exile.
Eastern Pygmy-Blue
Brephidium pseudofea, commonly known as the Eastern Pygmy-Blue, is one of the smallest butterflies in North America. It belongs to the family Lycaenidae and is closely related to the Western Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium exilis), from which it can be distinguished by distribution and subtle morphological differences. The species is associated with coastal and salt marsh habitats in the eastern United States.
common checkered-skipper
Burnsius communis, the common checkered-skipper, is a small butterfly in the family Hesperiidae (skippers). Formerly classified as Pyrgus communis, this species is among the most frequently encountered skippers in the northern United States. It is recognized by its distinctive checkered wing pattern and blue-gray body with fine hair. The species exhibits broad geographic distribution across North America, with multiple broods in southern regions and two broods in northern areas.
Tropical Checkered-Skipper
A small skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) found from the southern United States through the Neotropics. Adults are active year-round in tropical regions and during warmer months in temperate areas. The species was transferred from genus Pyrgus to Burnsius in 2019 based on molecular phylogenetic studies.
Desert Checkered-Skipper
Burnsius philetas, the desert checkered-skipper, is a small skipper butterfly (wingspan 25–29 mm) found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Formerly classified under Pyrgus, this species was reassigned to the genus Burnsius based on molecular and morphological evidence. It exhibits multiple generations per year with activity extending from early spring through late fall, with timing varying by latitude and elevation. The species is notable for its checkered wing pattern and association with dry, open habitats.
Arizona Metalmark
Calephelis arizonensis, the Arizona Metalmark, is a butterfly species in the family Riodinidae. It was described by McAlpine in 1971 and is found in North America. The species is assigned Hodges number 4394. Like other metalmarks, it belongs to a group of small, often brightly patterned butterflies that are primarily distributed in the Americas.
Swamp Metalmark
Calephelis muticum, known as the swamp metalmark, is a small riodinid butterfly with a restricted distribution across wetlands of the upper Midwest, Ohio Valley, Ozark Mountains, and parts of Arizona. The species is globally vulnerable (G3) and endangered in Illinois, with small, isolated colonies scattered across ten states. It is distinguished from the northern metalmark (Calephelis borealis) by habitat preference, wing morphology, and host plant associations. Conservation concerns center on habitat loss from wetland conversion, invasive species, pesticides, and fire suppression.
Fatal Metalmark, Dusky Metalmark
Calephelis nemesis, commonly known as the fatal metalmark or dusky metalmark, is a small butterfly in the family Riodinidae. It is distinguished by its modest wingspan of 20–25 mm and its association with arid environments in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species has been documented at the Tucson Botanical Gardens and is one of several Calephelis species with evocative names referencing loss or fate.
Rounded Metalmark, Lost Metalmark
Calephelis perditalis is a small metalmark butterfly in the family Riodinidae, described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1918. The species occurs from Texas and Mexico southward through Central America to Venezuela. Its common names, "rounded metalmark" and "lost metalmark," reference the rounded wing margins and the species epithet perditalis (Latin for "lost"). The species has two recognized subspecies: the nominate form and C. p. donahuei described in 1971.
little metalmark
Calephelis virginiensis, the little metalmark, is a small metalmark butterfly in the family Riodinidae. It is found in North America. The species was originally described as Erycina virginiensis by Guérin-Méneville in 1831. Like other members of the genus Calephelis, it belongs to a group of butterflies commonly known as metalmarks for the metallic spots often present on their wings.
Wright's Metalmark
Wright's Metalmark is a species of butterfly in the family Riodinidae, commonly known as the metalmarks. It is found in North America. The species was described by Holland in 1930 and is assigned the MONA/Hodges number 4390. Like other members of the genus Calephelis, it is a small butterfly with distinctive metallic markings. Specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in available sources.
Western Green Hairstreak, Immaculate Green Hairstreak
Callophrys affinis is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the western green hairstreak or immaculate green hairstreak. It is found in western North America from western Canada through the western United States. Adults fly in a single generation from early spring to mid-summer. The larvae feed specifically on Eriogonum umbellatum.
Western Green Hairstreak, Immaculate Green Hairstreak
Callophrys affinis affinis, the western green hairstreak, is a subspecies of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It occurs in western North America, where adults have been observed in early summer. The subspecies is distinguished by its greenish wing coloration, typical of the green hairstreak group. Limited specific information exists for this subspecies separate from the broader species Callophrys affinis.
Western Green Hairstreak
Callophrys affinis homoperplexa is a subspecies of the western green hairstreak butterfly, a member of the gossamer-winged family Lycaenidae. It occurs in western North America, where adults are active during spring and early summer. The subspecies is distinguished from related populations by subtle differences in wing pattern and coloration.
Brown Elfin, Western Elfin (subspecies iroides)
Callophrys augustinus, the brown elfin, is a small lycaenid butterfly with a wingspan of 22–29 mm. Adults are active in a single generation from early May to early June. The species is univoltine with pupal hibernation. Larvae feed on Ericaceae species in eastern North America and a broader range of host plants in western populations.
Lotus Hairstreak, Bramble Hairstreak, Coastal Green Hairstreak, Bluish Green Hairstreak, Oregon Green Hairstreak (subspecies C. d. oregonensis)
Callophrys dumetorum is a small lycaenid butterfly found primarily in coastal California. The species exhibits striking sexual dimorphism in wing coloration, with vivid green ventral surfaces and subdued brown dorsal surfaces. Taxonomic history of this species has been complex, involving lectotype disputes and temporary replacement of the name C. dumetorum with C. perplexa before ICZN Opinion 2291 reverted the changes in 2012.
A subspecies of hairstreak butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, endemic to coastal California. It is one of at least two recognized subspecies within Callophrys dumetorum, with the nominate subspecies restricted to a narrower range than the species as a whole. The species is known by the common names bramble hairstreak or lotus hairstreak.
Western Pine Elfin
Callophrys eryphon, the Western Pine Elfin, is a North American lycaenid butterfly with a transcontinental range spanning from British Columbia to Maine and south to southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Adults are sexually dimorphic: males are brown while females are orange-brown, both featuring bold patterned hindwings with dark bars and lighter chevron-shaped margins on the upper wing surfaces. The species is small, with body lengths of 19–32 mm and no tail on the hindwings.
juniper hairstreak, olive hairstreak
A small North American lycaenid butterfly with bright green undersides and highly variable wing patterns across its range. The species exhibits substantial geographic variation, with multiple named subspecies differing in coloration, pattern elements, and host plant associations. Males are territorial on host trees, and the species overwinters as a chrysalis. Taxonomic controversy persists regarding whether some subspecies merit full species status.
Cedar Hairstreak, Juniper Hairstreak, Olive Hairstreak
A subspecies of juniper hairstreak butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. The name 'juniperaria' reflects its close association with juniper host plants. This subspecies is part of the broader Callophrys gryneus species complex, which shows regional variation across North America. Based on source materials, it has been observed in Oklahoma and Kansas, typically in habitats where juniper or cedar species occur.
Cedar Hairstreak
Callophrys gryneus plicataria is a subspecies of juniper hairstreak butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is treated as a synonym of Mitoura gryneus in some taxonomic systems, reflecting ongoing debate about generic placement within the Eumaeini. The subspecies is associated with cedar and juniper habitats. Observations are concentrated in the northeastern United States, particularly Vermont.
Sweadner's Juniper Hairstreak, juniper hairstreak, olive hairstreak
Callophrys gryneus sweadneri is a subspecies of juniper hairstreak butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It occurs in North America and has been documented in Oklahoma and Kansas. Adults have been observed in late April and late August, suggesting a spring and late summer flight period. The subspecies is associated with juniper habitats, consistent with the species-level ecology of C. gryneus.
Henry's elfin, woodland elfin
Callophrys henrici, commonly known as Henry's elfin or woodland elfin, is a small North American butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. The species exhibits distinct population groups with different host plant associations: Atlantic Coast populations feed on various hollies (Ilex species), while northern and Appalachian populations use redbud (Cercis canadensis). The species has shown recent range expansion in New England due to adoption of introduced common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) as a host plant. It is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut.