gorgon copper
Lycaena gorgon, commonly known as the gorgon copper, is a butterfly species in the family Lycaenidae native to western North America. It is distinguished by sexual dimorphism in wing coloration and has a single annual brood. The species is closely associated with its host plant Eriogonum nudum and inhabits foothill environments including chaparral, woodland, and canyon habitats. Its distribution is centered in California with records extending into adjacent regions.
blue copper
Lycaena heteronea, the blue copper, is a North American butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. Males display bright sky-blue upper wing surfaces with dark veins, while females are copper-brown with black dots. The species is tightly associated with Eriogonum (buckwheat) host plants and occupies a range of open habitats in western North America from British Columbia to New Mexico. It is single-brooded with flight seasons varying geographically from April through August.
Mariposa copper
Lycaena mariposa, the mariposa copper, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It occurs in western North America, where adults are active in mid-summer. The species has a wingspan of 23–28 mm and exhibits the copper-orange coloration typical of its genus. Larvae feed on specific host plants including Vaccinium arbuscula and Polygonum douglasii. Two subspecies are recognized: L. m. penroseae and L. m. charlottensis.
small copper, American copper, common copper
Lycaena phlaeas is a holarctic butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the small copper or American copper. It is widespread across Europe, Asia, North America, and North Africa. The species is notable for its bright orange forewings with dark borders and black spots. It has been identified as a generalist species that shows resilience to habitat degradation, with populations in Germany demonstrating a positive trend in the Grassland Butterfly Index despite overall declines in grassland butterfly populations.
Ruddy Copper
Lycaena rubida, the Ruddy Copper, is a North American butterfly species in the family Lycaenidae. It belongs to a genus whose members are commonly known as coppers, characterized by orange-copper coloration on the upper wing surfaces. The species inhabits western North America, where it is associated with grassland and open habitats. Like other Lycaena species, it has been affected by broader population declines documented across western North American butterfly faunas.
great copper
Lycaena xanthoides, the great copper, is a butterfly species in the family Lycaenidae found in North America. The species has experienced significant regional population declines in California, with documented disappearance from low-elevation sites between Chico and Stockton by 2005. Research indicates it is among multiple butterfly species declining due to climate change and pesticide exposure, particularly neonicotinoids.
Coppers
Lycaeninae, commonly known as the coppers, is a subfamily of gossamer-winged butterflies within the family Lycaenidae. The group is taxonomically fluid, with boundaries historically expanded to include Polyommatinae (blues) and Theclinae (hairstreaks), but is now generally restricted to the immediate relatives of the type genus Lycaena. The subfamily contains two recognized tribes: Heliophorini (sapphires) and Lycaenini (typical coppers). Many genera remain of uncertain placement, and the group's systematics continue to be refined.
Daggerwings
Marpesia is a genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as daggerwings. These butterflies are found in the Neotropical and Nearctic realms, with species distributed from the southern United States through Central and South America. The genus is named after Marpesia, a queen of the Amazons in Greek and Roman legendary history. Marpesia butterflies are notable for their striking wing patterns and distinctive behavior called "pumping," in which they rapidly imbibe water through their proboscis and expel it from their abdomen, possibly for thermoregulation.
Little Wood Satyr
Megisto cymela, commonly known as the Little Wood Satyr, is a butterfly species in the subfamily Satyrinae found across eastern North America. Adults are characterized by their light brown wings with distinctive yellow-rimmed black eyespots. The species inhabits woodland edges, forest clearings, and brushy areas, where it flies low among vegetation with a slow, bouncing flight pattern. Fourth-instar caterpillars overwinter in leaf litter before completing development in spring.
Little Wood Satyr
Megisto cymela cymela is a subspecies of satyrine butterfly commonly known as the Little Wood Satyr. It belongs to the family Nymphalidae and is currently treated as a synonym of Euptychia cymela in some taxonomic databases. The subspecies has been documented in the northeastern United States, including Vermont.
Viola's Wood-Satyr
Megisto cymela viola, known as Viola's Wood-Satyr, is a subspecies of wood-satyr butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is currently treated as a synonym of Euptychia cymela. The subspecies was described by Maynard in 1891. Based on records from GBIF and iNaturalist, it has been documented in Vermont and other parts of the United States. As a member of the Satyrinae subfamily, it belongs to a group of butterflies commonly associated with woodland habitats and shaded environments.
Little Wood Satyr
Megisto rubricata, the Little Wood Satyr, is a small to medium-sized satyrine butterfly found in eastern North America. The species was originally described by William Henry Edwards in 1871 and has been transferred to the genus Euptychia in some taxonomic treatments, though Megisto remains widely used in North American literature. Adults are characterized by their brown coloration with distinct eyespots on the wings. The species inhabits woodland edges and openings where its larval host grasses grow.
Melanis is a genus of butterflies in the family Riodinidae, restricted to the Neotropical realm. The genus was established by Hübner in 1819 and contains approximately 30 described species distributed across Central and South America, with highest diversity in Brazil. Species within this genus exhibit variation in wing patterns and are typically found in tropical and subtropical forest habitats.
Red-bordered Pixie
Melanis pixe, commonly known as the red-bordered pixie, is a metalmark butterfly in the family Riodinidae. The species was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1836. It is recognized for its distinctive aposematic coloration featuring black wings with red and yellow-orange markings. The species serves as a Müllerian mimicry model for other toxic insects in its range, including the White-tipped Black Moth (Melanchroia chephise).
Mimic Tigerwing
Melinaea lilis is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the Mimic Tigerwing. It belongs to the tribe Ithomiini, a group of neotropical butterflies known for their unpalatability to predators and participation in Müllerian mimicry rings. The species was originally described as Mechanitis lilis by Doubleday in 1847. It is one of approximately 12 species in the genus Melinaea, which are distributed across Central and South America.
Pale-spotted Leafwing, Blue Leafwing
Memphis pithyusa is a leafwing butterfly in the family Nymphalidae with a wingspan of 57–76 mm. The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism, with females notably larger than males. It displays seasonal polyphenism, with distinct dry and wet season forms. The underside of the wings is cryptically colored to resemble a dead leaf, while the upper surface shows dark blue to brown coloration with light spots. It is the smallest member of its species group.
Arizona Sister, Curve-winged Metalmark
Mestra is a genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Biblidinae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1825. The genus contains several species distributed primarily in the Americas, with the most well-known being Mestra amymone, commonly called the Arizona Sister or Curve-winged Metalmark. These butterflies are medium-sized with distinctive wing patterns and are associated with specific host plants in their larval stages. The genus name derives from Greek mythology, referencing Mestra, daughter of Erysichthon, who possessed the ability to change her shape at will.
elf
Microtia is a monophyletic genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, containing the single species Microtia elva, commonly known as the elf. The genus is distributed across the southern United States and Central America. Larvae feed on plants in the family Acanthaceae, particularly Tetramerium.
Elf, Elf Butterfly
Microtia elva, commonly known as the elf or elf butterfly, is a small butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It is the sole member of its genus, which is monophyletic and restricted to the southern United States and Central America. The species has been observed over 3,000 times on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively well-documented within its range. Larvae feed on plants in the family Acanthaceae, particularly Tetramerium species.
ministreaks
Ministrymon is a genus of small butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as ministreaks. The genus was established by Clench in 1961 and contains approximately 20 described species distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical realms. Species are diminutive, typically about the size of a thumbnail. The genus includes Ministrymon janevicroy (Vicroy's Ministreak), a recently described species from Texas distinguished by its distinctive olive-green eyes.
Gray Ministreak
Ministrymon azia, commonly known as the gray ministreak, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It ranges from the southern United States through Central America to southern Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. The species occupies diverse lowland habitats including deserts and rainforests. Adults are active year-round in tropical regions and from March to September in Florida and Texas.
Clytie hairstreak, Clytie Ministreak
Ministrymon clytie, commonly known as the Clytie hairstreak or Clytie Ministreak, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. First described by William Henry Edwards in 1877, this species ranges from the southwestern United States through Mexico to Central America. It inhabits tropical forest openings and subtropical thorn forests. The larvae feed on Pithecellobium species.
Vicroy's Ministreak, Pebbly Ministreak
Ministrymon janevicroy, commonly known as Vicroy's Ministreak or Pebbly Ministreak, is a small lycaenid butterfly discovered in 2013 by Jeffrey Glassberg. The species remained unrecognized in museum collections for over a century due to its close resemblance to the Gray Ministreak (Ministrymon azia). It is distinguished by its distinctive olive-green compound eyes, a unique feature among North American butterflies. The species occurs from southern Texas through Central America to Costa Rica, with disjunct populations on Caribbean islands.
Bluewing Butterflies
Myscelia is a genus of nymphalid butterflies commonly known as bluewing butterflies. The genus includes approximately nine recognized species distributed across southern North America, Central America, and northern South America. Several species are notable for their striking blue coloration on the upper wing surfaces, including the well-known Mexican bluewing (Myscelia ethusa) and blue wave (Myscelia cyaniris).
neamathla skipper, southern swarthy skipper
Nastra neamathla is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the neamathla skipper or southern swarthy skipper. It is distinguished by its plain brown upperside wings and distinctive black-based, yellow-brown underside. The species is found in the Southeastern United States.
dainty sulphur, dwarf yellow
Nathalis iole, commonly known as the dainty sulphur or dwarf yellow, is the smallest North American pierid butterfly. It exhibits remarkable morphological variability, including seasonal wing coloration changes and distinctive structural features that have prompted suggestions it warrants a separate subfamily within Pieridae. The species occupies diverse open habitats, migrates south for winter survival, and has been documented performing elaborate courtship displays including a newly described facultative male display behavior.
satyr
Neominois is a genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Satyrinae. The genus contains three described species, including the well-studied Neominois ridingsii. These butterflies are commonly known as satyrs. Taxonomic placement has been debated, with some sources treating Neominois as a subgenus of Oeneis.
pine white
Neophasia menapia, commonly known as the pine white, is a butterfly species in the family Pieridae found in western North America. The species is characterized by white wings with black venation and wing bars, superficially resembling the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Research indicates N. menapia is palatable to avian predators, supporting its classification as a likely Batesian mimic rather than a Müllerian co-mimic. The species is univoltine, with one summer brood, and is associated with coniferous forest habitats.
Chiricahua White, Chiricahua Pine White, Mexican Pine White
Neophasia terlooii is a butterfly in the family Pieridae endemic to the sky islands of southeastern Arizona and Mexico. Males are white with black markings while females are orange with black wing veins, exhibiting pronounced sexual dimorphism. The species has two generations annually, with a small summer brood and larger fall population. Larvae feed on conifers, specifically Ponderosa Pine and Engelmann Spruce, and eggs are laid exposed on pine needles where they overwinter in a desiccation-resistant quiescent state.
Nyctelius is a genus of skippers (family Hesperiidae) established by Hayward in 1948. Skippers are a distinctive group of butterflies characterized by rapid, darting flight and hooked antennae clubs. The genus belongs to the subfamily Hesperiinae, the largest skipper subfamily containing many grass-feeding species.
Violet-banded Skipper, Nyctelius Skipper
Nyctelius nyctelius is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the violet-banded skipper or nyctelius skipper. It is a widespread species found across the Americas, with two recognized subspecies. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 4123.
California Tortoiseshell, Cal Tortie
The California Tortoiseshell is a medium-sized brushfoot butterfly known for its mass migration events that can occur at irregular intervals. Adults overwinter and may be seen sunning on mild winter days. The species is notable for its seasonal altitudinal migration pattern and its ability to defoliate stands of Ceanothus host plants during population outbreaks.
Compton Tortoiseshell, False Comma
The Compton Tortoiseshell is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, closely related to other tortoiseshell butterflies. It shares the characteristic reduced front legs of brushfoot butterflies, with only four functional walking legs. The species exhibits territorial behavior typical of the genus, with males defending perches against rivals.
Yuma Skipper
Ochlodes yuma, commonly known as the Yuma skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) endemic to wetlands of western North America. The species is notable for its specialized relationship with common reed (Phragmites australis), which serves as its sole known larval host plant. Five subspecies have been described, reflecting geographic variation across its range. The species has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 4057.
Alberta Arctic
Oeneis alberta is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the Alberta Arctic. It inhabits prairie and montane grassland habitats across the Canadian prairie provinces and isolated Rocky Mountain populations in the southwestern United States. The species exhibits a single annual generation with adults active in late spring. Larvae feed on bunch grasses and overwinter in the larval stage.
sentinel Arctic, Eskimo Arctic
Oeneis alpina is a butterfly in the subfamily Satyrinae, commonly known as the sentinel Arctic or Eskimo Arctic. The species has a wingspan of approximately 40 mm and exhibits sexual dimorphism in size and coloration. It occurs in a single annual generation during June and July, with males congregating on hilltops and rocky tundra features while females oviposit in wet boggy areas. The species is distinguished from its congener Oeneis chryxus by the number of hindwing eyespots.
Jutta Arctic, Baltic grayling
Oeneis jutta, known as the Jutta Arctic or Baltic grayling, is a butterfly of the subfamily Satyrinae with a Circumboreal distribution spanning northern Eurasia and North America. The species inhabits cold, open environments including bogs and tundra. Larvae feed primarily on sedges and cottongrass, while adults nectar on Ledum palustre. The species exhibits a flexible life cycle with one generation every one to two years depending on location.
Macoun's Arctic, Canada Arctic
Oeneis macounii is a medium-sized satyrine butterfly occurring across boreal North America. Adults have a wingspan of 46–65 mm and exhibit a distinctive biennial life cycle with regionally alternating flight years. The species is closely associated with pine forests, particularly jack pine and lodgepole pine systems.
Melissa Arctic
Oeneis melissa, the Melissa Arctic, is a Holarctic butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It inhabits cold, high-elevation and high-latitude environments including arctic tundra and alpine zones. The species exhibits a biennial or partially biennial life cycle adapted to short growing seasons. Multiple subspecies have been described across its range, including the endemic O. m. semidea in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Oeneis melissa lucilla is a subspecies of the Melissa Arctic butterfly, a member of the Satyrinae subfamily within Nymphalidae. This subspecies occurs in North America and has been documented in Russia and parts of Europe. Like other Oeneis species, it inhabits cool, often high-elevation environments. The genus Oeneis comprises Arctic and alpine butterflies adapted to cold climates, with many species showing limited dispersal capabilities.
Great Arctic, Nevada Arctic, great grayling, Felder's Arctic, Pacific Arctic
Oeneis nevadensis, commonly called the great Arctic, is the largest western Arctic butterfly with a wingspan of 5.1–6.3 cm. It is distinguished by its biennial life cycle, with adults appearing only in even-numbered years for most populations. The species occurs in high-elevation habitats of the Cascade Mountains from southern British Columbia to northern California, where it represents the southernmost range limit for this Arctic group in western North America.
Philip's Arctic
Oeneis philipi, known as Philip's Arctic, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae described by Troubridge in 1988. It belongs to the genus Oeneis, commonly referred to as the Arctics, which are associated with high mountain habitats across western North America. The species is part of a group that has been noted for its ecological sensitivity to habitat disturbance, including wildfire. Like other Oeneis species, it likely exhibits the reduced wing patterns and cryptic coloration characteristic of alpine butterflies.
Uhler's Arctic
Oeneis uhleri, commonly known as Uhler's Arctic, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It is a member of the 'Arctic' group of butterflies, named for their association with high-elevation and northern habitats. The species exhibits a univoltine life cycle with fourth-instar larvae overwintering. Larvae feed on specific grass genera including Festuca, Koeleria, and Poa. The species is distributed across western North America from Alaska to northern New Mexico, with multiple recognized subspecies occupying distinct geographic ranges.
Twin-spot Skipper
A small skipper butterfly with rounded, brown-black wings marked by distinctive transparent spots. Adults fly from spring through late summer, with multiple generations per year. The species is restricted to coastal and near-coastal habitats of the southeastern United States, where larvae feed on grasses and adults visit flowers for nectar.
Wandering Skipper
Panoquina errans is a butterfly species in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in Mexico and the United States. The species is commonly known as the Wandering Skipper.
Hecebolus Skipper
Panoquina hecebolus, commonly known as the Hecebolus Skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It was first described by Scudder in 1872. The species is classified under the MONA/Hodges number 4120.
purple-washed skipper
Panoquina lucas is a species of grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the purple-washed skipper. It has a broad distribution spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species was originally described as Hesperia lucas by Fabricius in 1793.
Common Swallowtails
Papilio is a large genus of swallowtail butterflies containing approximately 200 species, representing the sole genus in the tribe Papilionini. The genus includes some of the most recognizable butterflies worldwide, such as the Old World swallowtail (P. machaon), western tiger swallowtail (P. rutulus), and eastern tiger swallowtail (P. glaucus). Modern taxonomic revisions have consolidated numerous former genera—including Pterourus (tiger swallowtails), Heraclides (giant swallowtails), and Achillides—into Papilio, making it one of the most diverse butterfly genera. The name derives from the Latin word for butterfly.
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
A medium-sized swallowtail butterfly with yellow and black striped wings, found across northern North America. Adults fly during spring and summer with a single annual brood. The species was formerly considered a subspecies of Papilio glaucus but is now recognized as distinct based on morphological and genetic differences. It exhibits regional adaptation to climate, with northern populations showing faster development rates in cooler temperatures.
Pale Swallowtail, Pallid Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon, commonly known as the pale swallowtail or pallid swallowtail, is a swallowtail butterfly native to western North America. It is distinguished from the western tiger swallowtail by its white-cream to very pale yellow coloration. The species exhibits single-brooded development across most of its range, with multiple broods along the Pacific Coast. Adults are active from April through October, with peak abundance in May and July.