Ross's Alpine, Arctic Alpine
Erebia rossii is a circumpolar butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Satyrinae. It occurs in Arctic and subarctic regions of North America and Eurasia. The species shows sexual dimorphism in eyespot patterns and has been documented with multiple subspecies across its broad range.
Early Hairstreak
Erora laeta, commonly known as the early hairstreak, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It occurs in deciduous and mixed woodlands of eastern North America. The species is notable for its early spring emergence and specialized association with American beech as a larval host. Adults have a wingspan of 21–24 mm.
Arizona hairstreak
Erora quaderna, commonly known as the Arizona hairstreak, is a butterfly species in the family Lycaenidae. It is native to North America. The species was first described by William Chapman Hewitson in 1868 under the basionym Thecla quaderna. Two subspecies are recognized: E. q. quaderna and E. q. sanfordi.
Meridian Duskywing
Erynnis meridianus, commonly known as the meridian duskywing, is a spread-wing skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species was described by Bell in 1927. It occurs in Central America and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: Erynnis meridianus meridianus and Erynnis meridianus fieldi.
Persius Duskywing
Erynnis persius, the Persius duskywing, is a butterfly species in the family Hesperiidae native to North America. The species exhibits a single annual generation with larvae hibernating and pupating in spring. The eastern subspecies E. p. persius is of particular conservation concern, being rare and in severe decline due to habitat loss and decline of its obligate host plant, wild blue lupine (Lupinus perennis). Adults are difficult to distinguish from other duskywing skippers without close examination.
Scudder's Duskywing
Erynnis scudderi is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, known commonly as Scudder's Duskywing. It belongs to the diverse and taxonomically challenging genus Erynnis, whose species are often difficult to distinguish from one another. The species is recognized as valid and accepted in major taxonomic databases. Like other duskywings, it is likely associated with specific host plants in the caterpillar stage, though detailed life history information for this particular species appears limited in available sources.
Rocky Mountain duskywing
Erynnis telemachus, the Rocky Mountain duskywing, is a spread-wing skipper in the family Hesperiidae. It is found in North America.
Large Marble, Creamy Marblewing
Euchloe ausonides, commonly known as the Large Marble or Creamy Marblewing, is a medium-sized butterfly in the family Pieridae native to western North America. The species exhibits remarkable camouflage behavior, with adults capable of orienting themselves against backgrounds to render nearly invisible despite their contrasting wing patterns. Population declines have been documented in California since the 1980s, particularly in the Central Valley and Bay Area, with the species now considered regionally extinct at low-elevation sites in some areas. One subspecies, E. a. insulanus (Island Marble), is federally endangered and endemic to the San Juan Islands of Washington State.
Pearly Marble
A subspecies of marble butterfly in the family Pieridae. Males are known for hilltopping behavior, flying swiftly along ridgelines to locate females. The species ranges from southern British Columbia to northern Mexico, west of the Rocky Mountains. Adults are fast and erratic in flight, rarely pausing except briefly at flowers. The common name refers to the pearly, marbled pattern on the hindwing underside.
Euchloe hyantis lotta is a subspecies of Pearly Marble butterfly in the family Pieridae. The parent species E. hyantis ranges from southern British Columbia to northern Mexico west of the Rocky Mountains. Males of the species engage in hilltopping behavior, flying swiftly along ridgelines to intercept females. The subspecies lotta was described by Beutenmüller in 1898 and is currently treated as a synonym of Euchloe lotta.
Olympia Marble
Euchloe olympia, the Olympia Marble, is a pierid butterfly native to central North America. It is distinguished from congeners by its distinctive phenotype and genotype, particularly in relation to E. guaymasensis. The species has been classified globally as G5/G4, indicating relative stability, though it faces threats from gypsy moth chemical control programs. A study in central Illinois documented consistent nectar source preferences: Lepidium virginicum for larvae and Nuttallanthus canadensis for adults.
Atala, Atala butterfly, Atala hairstreak, coontie hairstreak
The Atala butterfly is a small, colorful lycaenid butterfly unique within its range for its aposematic coloration and exclusive association with cycad host plants. Once considered the most conspicuous insect in South Florida in 1888, it was believed extinct by the 1950s due to overharvesting of its sole native host plant, coontie (Zamia integrifolia), for starch production. Rediscovered in 1979 on a Miami barrier island, the species has recovered dramatically through conservation efforts and the popularity of coontie as an ornamental landscape plant, becoming common enough in southeast Florida to occasionally be regarded as a pest. The butterfly sequesters toxic cycasin compounds from its host, rendering all life stages unpalatable to predators.
Rocky Mountain dotted blue, Ancilla Blue
Euphilotes ancilla, commonly known as the Rocky Mountain dotted blue or Ancilla Blue, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. First described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1918, it inhabits sun-exposed rocky slopes and flats in western North America. The species has a documented wingspan of 17–23 mm and exhibits a close ecological relationship with Eriogonum host plants.
square-spotted blue, buckwheat blue
Euphilotes battoides is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the square-spotted blue or buckwheat blue. It is native to western North America and exhibits strong ecological dependence on Eriogonum (buckwheat) species. The species comprises multiple recognized subspecies with restricted geographic ranges. Adults are active from spring through summer and feed primarily on buckwheat flower nectar.
Bernardino blue
Euphilotes bernardino, the Bernardino blue, is a small lycaenid butterfly native to western North America. The species was first described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1916. It occurs in montane habitats, particularly in the San Bernardino Mountains of southern California, though the full extent of its range extends more broadly across North America. The species comprises four recognized subspecies with varying geographic distributions.
Columbian Blue
Euphilotes columbiae is a butterfly species in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the Columbian Blue. It is currently treated as a synonym of Euphilotes enoptes. The species was described by Mattoni in 1954. Like other members of the genus Euphilotes, it belongs to a group of small butterflies commonly referred to as 'blue' butterflies due to their characteristic wing coloration.
dotted blue
Euphilotes enoptes, commonly known as the dotted blue, is a North American lycaenid butterfly in the subfamily Polyommatinae. The species comprises multiple described subspecies, including the federally endangered E. e. smithi, which has been the focus of conservation efforts in California. Subspecies vary in distribution and habitat associations across western North America.
Glaucon Blue
Euphilotes glaucon is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the Glaucon Blue. It is currently treated as a synonym of Euphilotes battoides (square-spotted blue or buckwheat blue) by some authorities. The species occurs in western North America and is associated with buckwheat plants as larval hosts.
Mojave Blue
Euphilotes mojave mojave, commonly known as the Mojave Blue, is a subspecies of blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is native to North America and is part of the Euphilotes genus, which includes several species of dotted blue butterflies. The subspecies is associated with arid habitats in the Mojave Desert region.
Pallid Blue, Pale Blue, Pallid Dotted Blue
Euphilotes pallescens is a small lycaenid butterfly endemic to the Great Basin region of western North America. Populations exhibit significant genetic and morphological differentiation among isolated mountain ranges, reflecting long-term isolation in sky-island habitats. The species has a complex evolutionary history involving periods of divergence and potential reticulation. Its restricted distribution and habitat specificity make it a valuable model for studying phylogeography in arid mountain systems.
Rita's Blue, rita blue, desert buckwheat blue
Euphilotes rita is a small lycaenid butterfly native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults are active from July through late September, with a single generation per year. The species exhibits strong ecological specialization on wild buckwheat (Eriogonum species) throughout its life cycle. Larvae are tended by ants, a characteristic mutualism within the Polyommatinae.
Bruce's checkerspot
Euphydryas anicia brucei is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Historically treated under the genus Occidryas, it is now classified within Euphydryas. The subspecies is associated with montane habitats in western North America. Like other Euphydryas species, it likely has a complex life cycle involving specific larval host plants and adult nectar sources.
Euphydryas anicia carmentis is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is currently recognized as a synonym under the genus Occidryas in some taxonomic systems, though iNaturalist maintains it under Euphydryas. The subspecies has been documented in at least 6 observations on iNaturalist. Like other members of the Melitaeini tribe, it is associated with specific larval host plants and occupies particular habitat types in its range.
Euphydryas anicia eurytion is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is currently classified under the genus Euphydryas, though some taxonomic systems place it in the genus Occidryas. The subspecies has been documented in 21 iNaturalist observations. Like other members of the Euphydryas genus, it is a brush-footed butterfly with specialized larval host plant associations.
Euphydryas anicia wecoeut is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to a complex of Euphydryas checkerspots found in western North America. The subspecies was described in 2006 by M. Fisher, Spomer, and Scott. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with specific host plants for larval development. The broader species Euphydryas anicia has been the subject of conservation concern, with related subspecies proposed for federal listing.
Euphydryas anicia windi is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is currently classified as a synonym of Occidryas anicia windi in some taxonomic databases. The subspecies was described by Gunder in 1932. Very limited information is available about this specific subspecies in the provided sources.
Chalcedon Checkerspot, Variable Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona, commonly known as the Chalcedon Checkerspot or Variable Checkerspot, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. The species exhibits considerable geographic variation in appearance across its range. It is found in western North America, with populations occurring in diverse habitats from coastal areas to montane regions. Like other members of the genus Euphydryas, it has been affected by the broader declines in butterfly populations documented across the western United States.
Euphydryas chalcedona a paradoxa is a subspecies of the variable checkerspot butterfly, a member of the Nymphalidae family. The species Euphydryas chalcedona occurs in western North America, with subspecies showing geographic variation in appearance and distribution. Like other checkerspots, this taxon is associated with specific host plant relationships and has been subject to conservation concern due to habitat pressures. The subspecies epithet 'a paradoxa' suggests anomalous or unusual characteristics compared to the nominate form.
Euphydryas chalcedona macglashanii is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to a genus whose members are known for their distinctive orange and black checkered wing patterns. The subspecies is currently recognized as a synonym under the genus Occidryas in some taxonomic treatments. Checkerspot butterflies in this group are associated with specific host plants and have been subject to conservation concern due to habitat loss and climate change impacts across western North America.
Dion Skipper, Alabama Skipper
Euphyes dion is a skipper butterfly native to eastern and central North America. Adults are active from July to early August in northern populations and from May to September in southern populations, where two generations occur per year. The species is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut. Larvae feed on sedges, while adults visit nectar sources including pickerelweed and buttonbush.
fritillary butterflies
Euptoieta is a genus of fritillary butterflies in the subfamily Heliconiinae, distributed throughout the Neotropical region and extending northward into temperate North America. The genus includes approximately eight described species, with Euptoieta claudia (variegated fritillary) and Euptoieta hegesia (Mexican fritillary) being the most widely recognized. Members of this genus are characterized by their orange and black wing patterns and their ecological association with Viola (violet) species as larval host plants.
Mexican Fritillary
Euptoieta hegesia, commonly known as the Mexican Fritillary, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae found throughout North and South America. It is characterized by bright orange upper wings with black spotting and yellow-orange undersides lacking submarginal spots. The species has a wingspan of 2.5 to 3 inches and is active year-round in Mexico, with seasonal flight periods in the southern United States. Larvae feed on passionflowers and other host plants, displaying distinctive red coloration with silver spots and black spines.
Grass Yellows, Grass Yellow
Eurema is a widespread genus of grass yellow butterflies in the family Pieridae, comprising over 70 species distributed across Asia, Africa, Australia, Oceania, and the New World. The genus exhibits remarkable evolutionary phenomena including Wolbachia-induced feminization in multiple species, where genetic males are converted into functional females. Many species are characterized by seasonal diphenism—producing distinct wet-season and dry-season wing morphs. The type species is the North American barred yellow (Eurema daira).
Ghost Yellow
Eurema albula, commonly known as the ghost yellow, is a small butterfly in the family Pieridae. It ranges from southern Texas through the West Indies and tropical Central and South America to Brazil. Adults are active year-round in tropical regions and feed on flower nectar. The species inhabits tropical forests and second-growth vegetation.
Boisduval's Yellow
Eurema boisduvaliana, commonly known as Boisduval's yellow, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is found from Costa Rica north to Mexico, with regular seasonal migration to southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and southern Texas. Rare strays have been recorded in southern Florida. The species inhabits subtropical forests, forest edges, scrublands, roadsides, and pastures.
Barred Yellow, Fairy Yellow, Barred Sulphur
Eurema daira is a small pierid butterfly exhibiting seasonal diphenism, with distinct wet and dry season morphs. The species ranges from Argentina northward through Central America, the Caribbean, and into the southern United States. Adults are active year-round in southern portions of the range, with notable dry-season emigration behavior where wet-season morphs (particularly females) move upslope 40–50 km and up to 2,000 m higher in elevation. The species has been documented as a principal pollinator of Cnidoscolus urens.
Mexican yellow, wolf-face sulphur
Eurema mexicana is a medium-sized yellow butterfly in the family Pieridae, primarily distributed in Mexico with occasional northward strays into the southwestern and central United States. The species is distinguished by a distinctive black forewing border forming a 'wolf-face' or 'dog-face' pattern, and exhibits seasonal color variation on the wing underside. Males patrol hilltops and open areas seeking females throughout the day.
Salome yellow
Eurema salome is a small yellow butterfly in the family Pieridae, commonly known as the Salome yellow. It ranges from Peru northward through tropical America and is an extremely rare migrant to the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. The species inhabits forest openings, edges, and roadcuts, with adults active year-round in the tropics and from August to September in southern Texas.
Zebra Swallowtail
Eurytides marcellus, commonly known as the zebra swallowtail, is a striking swallowtail butterfly native to eastern North America. It is immediately recognizable by its distinctive black-and-white longitudinal stripes, triangular wings, and long swordlike tails. The species exhibits strong ecological dependence on pawpaw trees (Asimina spp.), which serve as the exclusive larval host plants. Two seasonal forms occur: spring forms are smaller with shorter tails and more white coloration, while summer forms are larger with broader black stripes and longer tails. The zebra swallowtail is the official state butterfly of Tennessee and has been documented as far north as southern Canada, with recent range expansions facilitated by pawpaw plantings.
Dark Kite-Swallowtail, Dark Zebra Swallowtail
Eurytides philolaus is a swallowtail butterfly in the family Papilionidae, ranging from southern Texas through Mexico and Central America to northern South America. It is characterized by dark wings with reduced pale green markings compared to related species. Adults frequent low-lying areas near rivers, often gathering in groups on sandy banks. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism and female polymorphism, with one form resembling the male and a darker melanistic form.
Gesta is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae. The genus was established by Evans in 1953 and contains multiple species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. Skippers in this genus exhibit the characteristic rapid, darting flight pattern typical of the Hesperiidae family. The genus is part of the diverse skipper radiation in the Americas.
False Duskywing
Gesta invisus, commonly known as the false duskywing, is a species of spread-wing skipper in the family Hesperiidae. It was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler and Herbert Druce in 1872. The species is distributed across Central and North America. Like other skippers, it exhibits the characteristic rapid, darting flight pattern typical of the family. The MONA or Hodges number for this species is 3943.
silvery blue
Glaucopsyche lygdamus, the silvery blue, is a small butterfly native to North America. It exhibits sexual dimorphism in wing coloration, with males displaying light blue uppersides and females showing dull grayish blue. The species occupies diverse habitats across western North America and Canada, and has demonstrated significant range expansion in some regions. Multiple subspecies have been described, reflecting geographic variation in morphology and ecology.
Florida White, tropical white
Glutophrissa drusilla is a pierid butterfly known as the Florida White or tropical white. It occurs from tropical America northward to southern Florida and the Florida Keys, with occasional records as far north as Nebraska and Colorado. The species is associated with tropical lowland forests and is the only representative of its genus in North America. It is frequently observed in coastal Texas and has been recorded from multiple localities in Colombia.
Variegated Skipper
Gorgythion begga, commonly known as the Variegated Skipper, is a species of butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It belongs to the subfamily Pyrginae, a group commonly referred to as the spread-winged skippers. The species was first described by Prittwitz in 1868 under the basionym Hesperia begga. Records indicate presence across Middle America, North America, and South America, with specific locality records from Villavicencio.
Hermit Skipper
Grais stigmaticus, commonly known as the hermit skipper, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Grais. This skipper butterfly has a broad distribution spanning from the southwestern United States through Central America to Argentina, with populations also present in Jamaica. The species was first described by Mabille in 1883 under the basionym Anastrus stigmaticus. As a member of the family Hesperiidae, it exhibits the characteristic rapid, darting flight pattern typical of skippers.
Golden Hairstreak
The golden hairstreak is a small North American butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is strongly associated with oak habitats and displays unusual crepuscular activity patterns, being most active during dawn and dusk rather than midday. The species has a single annual generation and shows high fidelity to specific oak host plants for larval development.
Guatemalan cracker, Guatemalan calico
Hamadryas guatemalena, commonly known as the Guatemalan cracker or Guatemalan calico, is a medium-to-large butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It ranges from southern North America through Central America to central South America. Adults exhibit year-round flight in tropical regions and peak activity in August in temperate areas. The species is notable for its cracker-like wing patterns and carrion-feeding behavior.
Alana White-Skipper
Heliopetes alana, commonly known as the Alana White-Skipper, is a species of skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species was originally described as Pyrgus alana by Reakirt in 1868 and later transferred to the genus Heliopetes. It belongs to the subfamily Pyrginae, a group of skippers commonly referred to as spread-winged skippers or firetips. The genus Heliopetes contains approximately 10 species distributed primarily in the Americas.
SpaceX White-Skipper
Heliopetes elonmuski is a species of skipper butterfly described by Grishin in 2023. It belongs to the genus Heliopetes within the family Hesperiidae. The common name "SpaceX White-Skipper" references Elon Musk and his aerospace company. The species has been documented in 175 iNaturalist observations.