Nymphalidae
Guides
Adelpha
sisters
Adelpha is a genus of brush-footed butterflies distributed from the southern United States and Mexico through Central America to South America. The common name "sisters" refers to the white wing markings that resemble a nun's habit. The genus contains approximately 90 described species, many of which exhibit Batesian mimicry and are organized into distinct species groups based on morphological and phylogenetic relationships.
Adelpha basiloides
spot-celled sister
Adelpha basiloides is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the spot-celled sister. It belongs to the genus Adelpha, a group of butterflies often called admirals or sisters. The species is found in North and Central America. The specific epithet and common name reference distinctive wing pattern characteristics.
Adelpha californica
California sister
Adelpha californica, the California sister, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae found in western North America. Adults are active from March through November, with one to three generations per year depending on conditions. The species is unpalatable to predators and serves as the model for a large mimicry complex involving other butterflies. Larvae feed exclusively on oaks (Quercus), particularly canyon live oak and coast live oak.
Adelpha eulalia
Arizona Sister
Adelpha eulalia, commonly known as the Arizona Sister, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the serpa species group within the genus Adelpha. The species was previously treated as a subspecies of Adelpha bredowii (Bredow's Sister), but phylogenetic studies based on morphological, geographical, and genetic evidence have established it as a distinct species.
Adelpha fessonia
Band-celled Sister, Mexican Sister
Adelpha fessonia is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the band-celled sister or Mexican sister. The species occurs from Panama northward through Central America to Mexico, with periodic vagrant populations establishing in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Adults have a wingspan of 56–70 mm. The species exhibits partial migration patterns, with Texas populations representing temporary rather than permanent residents.
Ageroniini
Ageroniini is a tribe of butterflies within the subfamily Biblidinae (Nymphalidae), commonly known as the tropical brushfoots. The tribe includes genera such as Ageronia and Hamadryas, species of which are known for their rapid, erratic flight patterns and often cryptic underside wing patterns that resemble dead leaves. Members of this tribe are primarily Neotropical in distribution.
Aglais io
European peacock butterfly, peacock butterfly
A colorful nymphalid butterfly found across Europe and temperate Asia to Japan. Adults overwinter and emerge in spring to reproduce. Recent studies in Belgium demonstrate a shift from univoltine to bivoltine life history, with three flight peaks now observed: spring (overwintering adults), early summer (first generation), and autumn (second generation). The species is known for prominent eyespots on its wings that function in anti-predator defense.
Aglais urticae
Small Tortoiseshell
Aglais urticae, commonly known as the Small Tortoiseshell, is a widespread Eurasian butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is one of the most familiar butterflies across Europe, recognized by its distinctive orange and black wing pattern with blue marginal spots. The species is strongly associated with nettle patches, which serve as the primary larval foodplant. Adults are frequently observed in gardens, meadows, and woodland edges, and are known for their territorial behavior and extended hibernation as adults.
Agraulis incarnata
Gulf Fritillary
Agraulis incarnata, commonly known as the Gulf Fritillary, is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The species is widely distributed across the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Adults are characterized by bright orange upper wings with black markings and three white spots on the forewing. The caterpillars feed exclusively on passionflower vines (Passiflora spp.), sequestering cyanogenic glycosides from their host plants for chemical defense. The species is a sporadic migrant in northern parts of its range, occasionally establishing temporary colonies before winter mortality.
Anaea aidea
Tropical Leafwing
Anaea aidea, commonly known as the tropical leafwing, is a brush-footed butterfly in the subfamily Charaxinae. It occurs from Mexico to northwestern Costa Rica, with occasional strays reaching the southern United States. The species has a wingspan of 57–78 mm and is recognized for its leaf-like wing appearance. Some taxonomic treatments consider it a subspecies of Anaea troglodyta.
Anaea andria
Goatweed Leafwing, Goatweed Butterfly
Anaea andria is a leafwing butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the Goatweed Leafwing. It is native to North America and is named for its association with goatweed (Croton capitatus) and related plants. The species is notable for its leaf-like wing appearance when at rest. It has two recognized subspecies: A. a. andria and A. a. andriaesta.
Anaea troglodyta
Florida leafwing, Portia, Florida goatweed butterfly, Jamaican tropical leafwing, Cuban red leaf
A Nymphalidae butterfly with a wingspan of 76–90 mm, found in southern Florida and throughout the Caribbean. The species exhibits seasonal polyphenism, with distinct dry-season and wet-season forms. Larvae feed on Croton species, while adults consume rotting fruit, dung, and fluids. Taxonomic status is contested: some authorities recognize over 230 species in the genus Anaea, while others (following Lamas 2004) treat all populations as a single species, Anaea troglodyta.
Anaeini
Anaeini is a tribe of brush-footed butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Charaxinae. These Neotropical butterflies are renowned for their remarkable dead leaf mimicry: when at rest with wings closed, the undersides closely resemble dried, brown foliage. The tribe includes approximately nine genera, among them Anaea, Memphis, Fountainea, Zaretis, and Hypna. Some taxonomic uncertainty exists regarding the placement of Anaeomorpha, which is sometimes included in Anaeini but more frequently assigned to the related tribe Preponini.
Anartia fatima
Banded Peacock, Fatima
Anartia fatima, the banded peacock, is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It occurs from southern Texas through Mexico and Central America to Panama, inhabiting subtropical open areas and disturbed habitats such as second-growth woodlands. Males defend territories around host plants to secure mating opportunities, a behavior documented in both this species and its congener Anartia jatrophae. The species exhibits wing color polymorphism, with individuals bearing either white or yellow median bands.
Anthanassa
crescents, crescent butterflies
Anthanassa is a genus of brush-footed butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, found from the United States through Central America to South America. The genus comprises approximately 17 described species, many bearing common names with "crescent" (e.g., Texan crescent, orange-patched crescent, chestnut crescent). Taxonomic placement remains debated; one authority treats Anthanassa as a subgenus of Phyciodes. Adults typically display orange and black patterned wings with crescent-shaped markings.
Anthanassa frisia
Cuban Crescent, Cuban Crescentspot, Cuban Checkerspot
A small to medium-sized checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, with a complex subspecies structure spanning the Caribbean, southern Florida, and the Neotropics. The nominate subspecies occurs in the West Indies and Florida, while subspecies tulcis (sometimes treated as a separate species) ranges from Argentina to the southwestern United States. Adults fly year-round in tropical regions and have distinct seasonal activity patterns in temperate areas. Larvae feed on specific Acanthaceae host plants.
Anthanassa texana
Texan crescentspot, Texan Crescent
Anthanassa texana, the Texan crescentspot, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found from Guatemala north through Mexico to the southern United States, with strays reaching as far north as South Dakota and central Nevada. The species is multivoltine, with adults active year-round in southern Texas and the tropics, and from March to November in southern Florida and Arizona. Larvae feed on leaves of low-growing Acanthaceae plants, while adults feed on flower nectar.
Anthanassa tulcis
Pale-banded Crescent, Tulcis Crescent
Anthanassa tulcis, commonly known as the Pale-banded Crescent or Tulcis Crescent, is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Henry Walter Bates in 1864. The species ranges from Argentina northward through Central America and Mexico to southern Texas, with occasional strays to west Texas. Some taxonomic authorities treat A. tulcis as a subspecies of A. frisia (the Cuban Crescent), but it is widely accepted as a distinct species in modern classifications.
Apaturinae
emperors
Apaturinae is a subfamily of brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) comprising approximately 20 genera and roughly 100 species commonly called 'emperors.' Members are distinguished by a green proboscis, strikingly colored upperwings, and cryptic underwings. The subfamily exhibits a disjunct global distribution, with most genera occurring in South and East Asia and Africa, while the genera Doxocopa and Asterocampa are primarily Neotropical and Nearctic. Larvae of at least some species possess a unique defensive mechanism: oral emission of volatile halitosis (alcohols and aldehydes/ketones with 4–5 carbon chains) when disturbed by predators.
Argynnini
Fritillaries
Argynnini is a tribe of brush-footed butterflies in the subfamily Heliconiinae, commonly known as fritillaries. The group comprises roughly 100 species worldwide, with approximately 30 species in North America. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have substantially revised generic boundaries within the tribe, with several formerly recognized genera now synonymized under Argynnis and Boloria, while others such as Speyeria and Fabriciana have been reinstated as distinct. Members of this tribe are characterized by their often bright orange and black patterned wings and their ecological associations with specific larval host plants, primarily violets (Viola) and related species.
Asterocampa
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.
Asterocampa celtis
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.
Asterocampa celtis antonia
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.
Asterocampa celtis celtis
Eastern Hackberry Butterfly
Asterocampa celtis celtis is the nominate subspecies of the Hackberry Butterfly, a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is strongly associated with hackberry trees (Celtis spp.) throughout its life cycle, with larvae feeding exclusively on these host plants. The subspecies ranges across eastern North America, where it is a common and widespread resident of woodland edges and riparian corridors.
Asterocampa celtis reinthali
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.
Asterocampa clyton flora
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
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.
Asterocampa leilia
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.
Biblidini
Biblidini is a tribe of brush-footed butterflies within the subfamily Biblidinae, commonly known as tropical brushfoots. The tribe contains numerous genera distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, with some representatives in the Old World tropics. Members of this tribe are characterized by reduced forelegs typical of the family Nymphalidae, and many species exhibit striking wing patterns with bold colors and distinctive markings.
Boloria alaskensis
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.
Boloria chariclea butleri
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.
Boloria chariclea grandis
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.
Boloria chariclea montinus
White Mountain Fritillary
The White Mountain Fritillary is a critically imperiled subspecies endemic to the alpine zone of the Presidential Range in New Hampshire's White Mountains. A glacial relict isolated for approximately 9,000 years, it represents one of the rarest butterfly populations in eastern North America. Systematic point-count surveys in 2012-2013 found highest densities in herbaceous-snowbank plant communities, though the more widespread heath-shrub-rush community likely supports the majority of adults. The subspecies is easily alarmed by human approach and exhibits variable detectability depending on weather conditions.
Boloria epithore
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.
Boloria freija freija
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.
Boloria kriemhild
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.
Boloria natazhati
Beringian fritillary, cryptic fritillary, Pleistocene fritillary
Boloria natazhati is a small fritillary butterfly endemic to northwestern North America. It is found in alpine and subalpine habitats from northwestern Canada to northern British Columbia. The species has a narrow flight period in mid-summer and is associated with rocky, open terrain. Its common names reference its Beringian distribution and cryptic appearance.
Callicorini
Eighty-eights and Allies
Callicorini is a tribe of nymphalid butterflies within the subfamily Biblidinae, commonly known as "eighty-eights and allies" due to distinctive wing patterns resembling the numerals "88" in some species. The tribe includes the genus Perisama, a species-rich group predominantly restricted to Neotropical cloud forests in the Andes, as well as Diaethria and related genera. Phylogenetic studies indicate Miocene divergence between major lineages, with subsequent radiation correlated to Andean orogeny. Members exhibit diverse wing color patterns, though these have proven less geographically stable than historically assumed.
Cercyonis meadii alamosa
Cercyonis meadii alamosa is a subspecies of the Mead's satyr butterfly (Cercyonis meadii), a member of the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. The species C. meadii is considered endangered in Missouri, where the nominate subspecies occurs. The subspecies epithet "alamosa" suggests an association with the Alamosa region of Colorado, though specific distinguishing characteristics from other subspecies remain undocumented in available sources. Like other Cercyonis species, adults are likely active during late summer.
Chlosyne
Patches and Allies, checkerspots, patches, crescentspots
Chlosyne is a genus of brush-footed butterflies (family Nymphalidae) distributed across North and South America. The genus includes approximately 25-30 species commonly known as patches, checkerspots, and crescentspots based on their wing patterns. Species in this genus exhibit diverse ecological strategies, with larvae of many species feeding gregariously in early instars—a trait that has been shown to enhance growth rates and survival in studied species such as C. lacinia and C. janais. Adults typically display orange, black, and white checkered wing patterns that vary considerably among species and geographic regions.
Chlosyne acastus
Sagebrush Checkerspot
Chlosyne acastus, the sagebrush checkerspot, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae native to western North America. Adults have a wingspan of 33–44 mm and display the characteristic orange and black checkered pattern typical of the genus. The species has one flight period annually, with adults active from May through early September. Larvae feed on specific Asteraceae host plants, with documented utilization of rabbit-brush, desert-aster, woolly sunflower, arrowleaf balsamroot, and common sunflower.
Chlosyne damoetas
Rockslide Checkerspot
Chlosyne damoetas, commonly known as the Rockslide Checkerspot, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It is native to western North America, where it inhabits rocky and montane environments. The species was originally described by Skinner in 1902 under the basionym Melitaea damoetas.
Chlosyne definita
Definite Patch, Definite Checkerspot
Chlosyne definita, commonly known as the Definite Patch or Definite Checkerspot, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It is native to North America and belongs to the checkerspot group within the genus Chlosyne. The species was first described by Aaron in 1885, originally placed in the genus Melitaea. Two subspecies are recognized: C. d. definita and C. d. anastasia.
Chlosyne endeis
Banded Checkerspot, Banded Patch
Chlosyne endeis, commonly known as the banded checkerspot or banded patch, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the tribe Melitaeini, which includes crescents, checkerspots, and anglewings. The species was first described by Godman and Salvin in 1894. Two subspecies are recognized: Chlosyne endeis endeis and Chlosyne endeis pardelina.
Chlosyne eumeda
Eumeda Checkerspot
Chlosyne eumeda is a checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, described by Godman and Salvin in 1894. It is primarily found in Mexico, with rare strays occasionally reaching southern Arizona and southern Texas. The species belongs to a genus of brush-footed butterflies known for their distinctive checkered wing patterns.
Chlosyne fulvia
Fulvia checkerspot
Chlosyne fulvia, the Fulvia checkerspot, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The species ranges from the southwestern United States (Kansas, Colorado, southern Utah, Arizona) south to central Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of 32–50 mm and feed on flower nectar. The larvae are specialized feeders on Castilleja species, particularly Castillega integra and Castilleja lanata.
Chlosyne gabbii
Gabb's Checkerspot
Chlosyne gabbii is a rare checkerspot butterfly endemic to California. Adults have a wingspan of 32–45 mm with bright orange-brown and black checkered uppersides; females are lighter than males. The species is threatened throughout its range and is known from only a small geographic area in the western United States.
Chlosyne gorgone
Gorgone Checkerspot
Chlosyne gorgone is a Nymphalinae butterfly occurring across central North America. Adults have orange wings with black markings and a wingspan of 32–45 mm. Larvae feed on Asteraceae host plants including Helianthus, Ambrosia, Iva, and Viguiera species; adults visit nectar sources, particularly yellow flowers. The species exhibits geographic variation in brood number, with one generation in the north and up to three in the south.
Chlosyne janais
crimson patch, janais patch
Chlosyne janais is a common New World butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, known as the crimson patch or janais patch. It ranges from Colombia north through Central America and Mexico to southern Texas, with occasional sightings extending into northern Texas and southeastern Mexico. The species inhabits lowland tropical to subtropical forest edges, fields, and riparian areas. Adults feed on flower nectar, while larvae feed gregariously on acanthus shrubs, particularly Anisacanthus wrightii and Odontonema callistachyus. Reproduction is continuous in the tropics; in temperate areas, multiple broods occur from July to November.
Chlosyne leanira
Leanira Checkerspot
Chlosyne leanira, commonly known as the Leanira Checkerspot, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, tribe Melitaeini. It occurs in western North America from Oregon through California, Nevada, Utah, western Colorado, and south to Baja California. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size and coloration, with females larger but males displaying more prominent red wing markings. Larvae are specialized feeders on Castilleja species (Orobanchaceae) and overwinter in the third instar.