heaths, ringlets
Coenonympha is a genus of brush-footed butterflies in the subfamily Satyrinae, containing species distributed across temperate regions of the Holarctic. Palearctic species are commonly called heaths, while Nearctic species are called ringlets. The genus exhibits complex evolutionary patterns involving hybrid speciation, with some species complexes showing homoploid hybrid speciation and extensive gene flow. Many species are habitat specialists associated with peatlands, salt marshes, or alpine meadows, and several are of conservation concern due to habitat degradation.
Hayden's ringlet
Hayden's ringlet is a narrowly endemic brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Despite its restricted geographic range, the species maintains genetic diversity levels comparable to more widespread butterflies. Population genetic structure is driven primarily by geographic isolation and distance rather than host plant specialization. The species shows a strong feeding preference for grasses over sedges, though this preference does not correlate with genetic differentiation among populations.
large heath, common ringlet
Coenonympha tullia is a Holarctic butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae, found across northern Europe, Asia, and North America. The species inhabits diverse grassy environments including peat bogs, wet meadows, prairies, and arctic tundra. It serves as a flagship species for peatland restoration efforts, with documented reintroduction programs in the UK. The species exhibits poor flight capability and has been observed seeking new grounds along ditches. Multiple subspecies have been described across its broad range, with some forms formerly considered subspecies now elevated to species rank.
Common Ringlet (subspecies)
Coenonympha tullia ampelos is a subspecies of the Common Ringlet butterfly, distributed across parts of Europe and North America. As a member of the Satyrinae subfamily, it inhabits open grassland and wetland habitats including peat bogs. The species is known to occur in association with Sphagnum moss-dominated blanket bogs, where it serves as an indicator of intact bog ecosystems.
Coenonympha tullia columbiana is a subspecies of the large heath butterfly, a member of the Nymphalidae family. This subspecies is part of a complex of heathland and bog-dwelling butterflies distributed across North America and Europe. The species group is associated with peatland and wetland habitats, where larvae feed on specific grass species. Conservation concerns exist for related taxa due to habitat degradation from peatland drainage and wildfire.
Large Heath butterfly, Bog ringlet
Coenonympha tullia eryngii is a subspecies of the Large Heath butterfly, a satyrine nymphalid found in peat bog habitats across northern Europe and North America. This subspecies is part of a complex that shows considerable geographic variation in wing pattern and size. The species is notable for its obligate association with intact bog ecosystems, making it sensitive to habitat degradation from drainage, burning, and afforestation. Adults are active during summer months and larvae feed on specific grasses in the Cyperaceae family.
Coenonympha tullia eunomia is a subspecies of the common ringlet butterfly, a member of the Satyrinae subfamily within Nymphalidae. It occurs in Europe and North America, with populations found in Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other regions. As a subspecies of the widespread C. tullia, it inhabits similar environments to the nominate form, typically associated with grassland and bog habitats.
Inornate Ringlet, Common Ringlet (inornata subspecies)
Coenonympha tullia inornata is a subspecies of the Common Ringlet butterfly, a member of the family Nymphalidae. This subspecies occurs in North America, where it inhabits peatland and bog habitats. The species has been documented in association with blanket bog ecosystems, where it serves as an indicator of intact peatland conditions. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with grasses as larval host plants.
Kodiak Ringlet
Coenonympha tullia kodiak is a subspecies of the Large Heath butterfly, commonly known as the Kodiak Ringlet. It belongs to the subfamily Satyrinae within the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. This subspecies is part of a widespread Holarctic species complex that exhibits considerable geographic variation across its range. The Kodiak Ringlet is associated with peatland and bog habitats, reflecting the broader ecological affinity of the C. tullia complex for wetland environments.
Coenonympha tullia mcisaaci is a subspecies of the common ringlet butterfly, a member of the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to a genus of small brown butterflies commonly associated with grassland and bog habitats. The subspecies is part of a widespread Holarctic species complex with variable taxonomy across its range.
Coenonympha tullia subfusca is a subspecies of the large heath butterfly, a member of the family Nymphalidae. It is associated with peatland and bog habitats, where it occurs alongside other bog-specialist species. The subspecies is part of a complex that shows variation across its range in Europe and North America. Like other Coenonympha species, it is dependent on specific habitat conditions that have become increasingly threatened by drainage, peat extraction, and climate change-induced wildfires.
Acacia Skipper
Cogia hippalus, commonly known as the Acacia Skipper, is a species of skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is distributed across the Americas from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America into South America. The species is associated with acacia habitats and has been documented in arid and semi-arid regions.
Christina Sulphur
Colias christina is a Pierid butterfly endemic to western North America, ranging from the Yukon and Northwest Territories south through the Canadian prairie provinces to the northern Rocky Mountain states of the United States. The species was named in 1863 by William Henry Edwards in honor of its first collector, Christina Ross. Adults display sexual dimorphism in wing coloration and are active from May through September.
Giant Sulphur, Giant Northern Sulfur
Colias gigantea, the giant sulphur, is a medium-sized butterfly in the family Pieridae found across northern North America. It inhabits tundra and willow bog habitats from Alaska eastward across Canada to the Atlantic coast, with disjunct populations in the northern Rocky Mountains. Adults are active from June through early August, with larvae feeding exclusively on willow species (Salix spp.) and adults taking flower nectar.
pink-edged sulphur
Colias interior, commonly known as the pink-edged sulphur, is a North American butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is the state butterfly of Maine. The species is univoltine, with adults active from June through August. Females lay eggs on blueberry plants (Vaccinium species), and larvae feed primarily on Vaccinium myrtilloides. The species enters diapause as larvae and is known to hybridize with the multivoltine Colias philodice, with hybrids exhibiting abnormal diapause dynamics.
Mead's Sulphur, Mead's Sulfur
Colias meadii, known as Mead's Sulphur, is a butterfly species in the family Pieridae native to the Rocky Mountains of North America. It inhabits high-elevation arctic-alpine environments near or at tree line. The species is active during mid-summer, with adults flying from July to August. It exhibits the yellow-orange wing coloration typical of sulphur butterflies, with a wingspan of 35–44 mm.
western sulphur, golden sulphur
Colias occidentalis is a medium-sized butterfly in the family Pieridae, found in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Adults fly from late May to early July and are associated with open habitats from sea level to subalpine elevations. The larvae feed on flowers of several legume genera. The species was described by Scudder in 1862 and includes three recognized subspecies with somewhat distinct geographic ranges.
Moorland Clouded Yellow, Palaeno Sulphur, Pale Arctic Clouded Yellow
Colias palaeno is a Holarctic butterfly species in the family Pieridae, occurring across northern Eurasia and North America. It inhabits moorlands, bogs, and open coniferous forests, with southern populations restricted to high alpine zones above 1,500 meters. The species has experienced significant declines in parts of its European range, particularly in Bavaria, where larval survival depends critically on microclimatic conditions associated with Sphagnum moss. It is univoltine, with adults flying from June to August.
Colobura is a genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae containing two recognized species: Colobura dirce (zebra mosaic) and Colobura annulata (new beauty). The genus ranges from Mexico through Central America to South America. Larvae of at least one species have been documented feeding on Cecropia obtusifolia (Urticaceae).
new beauty
Colobura annulata, commonly known as the new beauty, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The species was described in 2001 by Willmott, Constantino, and Hall. It ranges from Central America into northern South America, with records extending as far north as southern California and northern Texas. Historical records from Suriname have contributed to understanding of its biology, including corrections to erroneous early hostplant records.
orange skipperling
Copaeodes aurantiaca, commonly known as the orange skipperling, is a grass skipper in the family Hesperiidae. It is native to Central America and North America, with documented presence in the southwestern United States including Arizona. The species is active during late summer and early autumn, and has been observed in botanical gardens and natural habitats with abundant flowering vegetation.
Western Tailed-Blue
Cupido amyntula, commonly known as the Western Tailed-Blue, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae found across western North America. Males display blue upperside wing coloration while females are darker brown with a brown band on the outer wing. The species has a wingspan of 2.2 to 2.9 cm and is distinguished from similar species by the presence of tail-like projections on the hindwings.
Cupido amyntula maritima is a subspecies of the eastern tailed-blue butterfly described by Leblanc in 1985. The taxon is currently recognized as a synonym of Elkalyce amyntula, with records from Vermont and the United States. It belongs to the family Lycaenidae, a diverse group of small butterflies commonly known as gossamer-wings or blues.
Eastern Tailed-Blue, Eastern Tailed Blue
Cupido comyntas, commonly known as the eastern tailed-blue, is a medium-sized butterfly native to eastern North America. It is distinguished from other blue butterflies in its range by the presence of a small thin tail on each hindwing. The species has been observed in laboratory settings by researchers studying butterfly ecology and pesticide toxicology, and is considered a favorite among some entomologists due to its accessibility for study.
Curve-winged Metalmark
Curvie emesia, commonly known as the curve-winged metalmark, is a species of butterfly in the family Riodinidae. It was originally described as Emesis emesia by Hewitson in 1867 and later transferred to the genus Curvie. The species occurs in North America and includes two recognized subspecies.
Clench's greenstreak, miserabilis hairstreak
Cyanophrys miserabilis is a species of hairstreak butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It was originally described as Thecla miserabilis by Clench in 1946. The species is known from North America, where it is one of several greenstreak butterflies in the genus Cyanophrys. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 4308.
Nickerbean Blue, Lucas' Blue
Cyclargus ammon is a species of blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. Commonly known as the Nickerbean Blue or Lucas' Blue, it occurs in the Caribbean and North America. The species was originally described by Lucas in 1856 as Lycaena ammon and later transferred to the genus Cyclargus. It is one of approximately 74 observed species in the genus on iNaturalist.
gemmed satyrs
Cyllopsis is a genus of satyrid butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, established by Rudolf Felder in 1869. The genus comprises approximately 30 species distributed across the Neotropical realm, with at least one species, C. gemma, extending into North America as far north as Missouri and Illinois. These butterflies are commonly known as "gemmed satyrs" and are typically associated with forested habitats where adults fly low near the ground.
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.
Nabokov's Satyr
Cyllopsis pyracmon, commonly known as Nabokov's satyr, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It is recognized as a synonym of Euptychia pyracmon in some taxonomic databases. The species is found in North America and has been documented in alpine and forested habitats. Two subspecies are recognized: C. p. pyracmon and C. p. henshawi.
silverspot butterflies
Dione is a genus of butterflies in the subfamily Heliconiinae, family Nymphalidae, distributed from the southern United States through Central America to South America. Species in this genus are commonly known as silverspot butterflies due to the distinctive silver spots on the ventral wing surfaces. The genus includes at least two recognized species: Dione moneta (Mexican Silverspot) and Dione juno (Juno Silverspot or Juno Longwing). Adults are medium-sized butterflies with elongated wings and are frequently observed visiting flowers for nectar. Larvae feed on passion vines (Passiflora species).
Dione juno huascuma is a subspecies of silverspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to a genus closely related to the more widely known Agraulis (Gulf Fritillary). The species Dione juno occurs from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America to South America. This subspecies represents a distinct geographic population within that broader range. Adults and larvae are associated with passion vines (Passiflora spp.) as host plants.
Mexican silverspot
Dione moneta, commonly known as the Mexican silverspot, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Heliconiinae. Its normal range extends from Mexico through Central America to Brazil, with occasional strays northward into the southern United States. The species is named after the Roman goddess Moneta, representing fortune and wealth. A notable vagrant record occurred in Colorado in April 2017, representing a significant northward extension of its documented range.
Banded Orange Heliconian, Banded Orange, Orange Tiger
Dryadula phaetusa, the sole species in its genus, is a Neotropical heliconiine butterfly recognizable by its bold orange and black banded wing pattern. It ranges from Brazil to central Mexico, with occasional summer vagrants reaching central Florida. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in color intensity and participates in Müllerian mimicry complexes due to its unpalatability to birds.
sickle-winged skipper
Eantis tamenund, commonly called the sickle-winged skipper, is a spread-wing skipper in the family Hesperiidae. The species occurs across a broad range from Argentina through tropical America and the West Indies to the southern United States, with occasional strays reaching as far north as Arkansas and Kansas. The common name refers to the distinctive wing shape characteristic of this species. Taxonomic history includes placement in the genus Achlyodes, with which it shares many morphological traits.
Reakirt's blue
Echinargus is a monotypic butterfly genus in the family Lycaenidae, containing the single species Echinargus isola (Reakirt's blue). The genus was described by Vladimir Nabokov in 1945. The species is notable for its extensive migratory behavior, regularly moving northward from its core range in Central America and the southern United States into northern regions.
Reakirt's Blue
Echinargus isola, commonly known as Reakirt's Blue, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. The species is native to Central America and the extreme southern United States, with regular northward migrations throughout most of the U.S. reaching nearly to the Canadian border. It has been documented visiting flowers of White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida) in Colorado, where multiple individuals may congregate on single blossoms. Very rare vagrant records extend into the southern prairies of Canada.
Ectomis is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Eudaminae. The genus was established by Mabille in 1878 and contains approximately 30 recognized species distributed across the Neotropical and southern Nearctic regions. Species within Ectomis exhibit considerable variation in wing pattern and distribution, with many restricted to specific regions of Central and South America. The genus is divided into two subgeneric groupings: Ectomis (Ectomis) and Ectomis (Asina).
Eight-spotted Longtail
Ectomis octomaculata is a species of skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) found throughout the Americas, from the Caribbean through Middle America to North and South America. The species is commonly known as the Eight-spotted Longtail, referring to the characteristic pattern of spots on its wings and the elongated tail-like projection on the hindwing typical of many hesperiids. Taxonomically, it has been treated as a synonym of Polythrix octomaculata in some classifications, though sources such as NCBI and iNaturalist maintain it under the genus Ectomis.
Silverdrops, Flasher butterflies
Epargyreus is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as silverdrops or flasher butterflies. The genus name derives from Greek argyros meaning 'silver,' referring to the characteristic white spot on the ventral hindwing. Species occur across the Nearctic and Neotropical realms, with the best-known species being Epargyreus clarus (silver-spotted skipper), which ranges from southern Canada through the United States to South America. Larvae construct distinctive leaf shelters using silk and are known for 'frass-shooting' behavior—expelling excrement up to 40 times their body length away from their shelters.
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus, commonly known as the silver-spotted skipper, is one of the largest and most widespread skippers in North America. Adults are readily identified by a prominent silver-white patch on the ventral surface of each hindwing. The species is multivoltine, with one to four generations per year depending on latitude, and exhibits strikingly higher pupal mortality during summer generations compared to overwintering generations. Larvae construct elaborate silk-lashed leaf shelters that provide limited protection from predators.
zestos skipper, rusty skipper
Epargyreus zestos is a species of dicot skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in the Caribbean and North America. A recognized subspecies, E. zestos inaguarum, has been described. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are known for constructing silk shelters from folded leaves.
Ephyriades is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae. The genus was established by Hübner in 1819. All species are restricted to Central America and the Caribbean region. Several species are commonly referred to as duskywings due to their dark wing coloration.
alpines, ringlets, arguses
Erebia is a Holarctic genus of brush-footed butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, containing approximately 90–100 species. The genus is notable for its adaptation to cold environments, with most species inhabiting high-altitude or high-latitude regions. Members are predominantly dark brown to black with distinctive reddish-brown, orange, or rarely yellowish wing blotches or bands that typically contain black spots, sometimes with white centers. The genus exhibits complex taxonomic history with over 1300 described taxa, many of which are junior synonyms. Erebia serves as an important model for studying climate change impacts on montane and arctic-alpine insects due to its thermal ecology and distribution patterns.
Colorado Alpine
Erebia callias, commonly known as the Colorado Alpine, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It inhabits alpine environments in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming and Colorado, as well as mountain ranges in the eastern Palearctic. The species has a wingspan of 35–38 mm and is part of the brassy ringlet complex, showing close morphological similarity to Siberian brassy ringlets.
Red-disked Alpine
Erebia discoidalis, known as the red-disked alpine, is a butterfly in the subfamily Satyrinae of family Nymphalidae. It has a transcontinental distribution spanning North America and Asia, occurring in boreal and arctic-alpine habitats. The species is associated with open, acidic wetlands where its larvae feed on cottongrass (Eriophorum) species.
Common Alpine
Erebia epipsodea, commonly known as the Common Alpine, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Satyrinae. It is distributed across North America from Alaska through the Rocky Mountains to northern New Mexico, and eastward across the Canadian prairie provinces to southwest Manitoba. The species inhabits alpine and montane environments, with adults active from mid-June to early August. Larvae feed on various grass species.
banded alpine
Erebia fasciata, commonly known as the banded alpine, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Satyrinae. It is distributed across high-latitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere, ranging from central Siberia through Alaska, Yukon, and the Canadian Arctic to Hudson Bay, with additional populations on Banks Island and Victoria Island. The species exhibits a wingspan of 38–53 mm. Adults are active from May to late July depending on location, with larvae feeding on Carex species.
Taiga Alpine
Erebia mancinus, known as the taiga alpine, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Satyrinae. It inhabits subarctic and boreal regions of North America, with a disjunct population extending south to the Rocky Mountains. The species is associated with wetland habitats, specifically black spruce-sphagnum bogs. Adults are active during a brief flight period in mid-summer.
yellow-dotted alpine, Theano Alpine
Erebia pawloskii, known as the yellow-dotted alpine or Theano Alpine, is a small butterfly in the subfamily Satyrinae of family Nymphalidae. It occurs across a broad Holarctic distribution spanning northwestern North America and northern Asia. The species inhabits cold, wet environments including tundra and bog habitats. Adults fly during mid-summer, and larvae feed on sedges of the genus Carex.