Nymphalidae
Guides
Chlosyne melitaeoides
Red-spotted Patch
Chlosyne melitaeoides, commonly known as the red-spotted patch, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to a group that includes crescents, checkerspots, and anglewings. The species was originally described by Felder & Felder in 1867 under the basionym Synchloe melitaeoides. It carries the MONA/Hodges number 4501.1.
Chlosyne nycteis
Silvery Checkerspot
Chlosyne nycteis, the silvery checkerspot, is a North American brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Adults display pale yellow-orange wings with dark borders and distinctive white-centered submarginal spots on the hindwings. The species inhabits moist areas including streamsides, meadows, and forest openings across a broad range from southern Canada to Georgia, Florida, and Texas. It has declined in parts of its northeastern range and is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut and Maine, believed extirpated from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Chlosyne palla altasierra
High Sierra Checkerspot
Chlosyne palla altasierra is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, described by Emmel, Emmel & Mattoon in 1998. It is known by the common name High Sierra Checkerspot. The subspecies is recognized as valid and accepted in taxonomic databases. As a member of the genus Chlosyne, it belongs to a group of butterflies commonly known as crescents and checkerspots, which are characterized by their orange and black patterned wings.
Chlosyne palla palla
Chlosyne palla palla is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found in North America. The species belongs to a genus of brush-footed butterflies commonly known as the checkerspots or crescents. Limited observational records exist for this particular subspecies.
Chlosyne rosita
Rosita Patch
Chlosyne rosita is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae, characterized by distinctive orange-red patches on the wings. It occurs throughout Central America and Mexico, with occasional records in the southwestern United States. The species is similar in appearance to the more widespread crimson patch (Chlosyne janais).
Chlosyne rosita browni
Chlosyne rosita browni is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly described by Bauer in 1961. It belongs to the genus Chlosyne, a group of brush-footed butterflies commonly known as checkerspots. The subspecies is part of the larger species Chlosyne rosita, which occurs in North America. Like other members of the Nymphalidae family, it exhibits the characteristic reduced front legs of brush-footed butterflies.
Chlosyne theona
Theona Checkerspot
Chlosyne theona, commonly known as the Theona Checkerspot, is a species of brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded in Hawaii. The species is part of the checkerspot group within the genus Chlosyne, which includes several similar-looking species with patterned orange and black wing markings. The MONA or Hodges number for this species is 4508.
Coeini
Cecropians and Allies
Coeini is a tribe of brush-footed butterflies (family Nymphalidae) restricted to the Neotropical realm. The tribe comprises six recognized genera: Baeotus, Colobura, Historis, Pycina, Smyrna, and Tigridia. Members are commonly referred to as "Cecropians and Allies" in reference to their association with Cecropia trees. The group is characterized by reduced forelegs typical of the Nymphalidae family.
Coenonympha tullia ampelos
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
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.
Coenonympha tullia eunomia
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.
Coenonympha tullia inornata
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.
Coenonympha tullia insulana
Large Heath butterfly (subspecies)
Coenonympha tullia insulana is a subspecies of the Large Heath butterfly, a member of the Satyrinae subfamily within Nymphalidae. The species is associated with peatland habitats, particularly blanket bogs. It is one of several subspecies of Coenonympha tullia found across parts of Europe and potentially North America, though specific details for insulana are limited in the provided sources.
Coenonympha tullia mcisaaci
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
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.
Colobura
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).
Colobura annulata
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.
Cyllopsis
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.
Cyllopsis pertepida
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.
Cyllopsis pyracmon
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.
Cyrestinae
Daggerwing and Map Butterflies
Cyrestinae is a small subfamily of brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) comprising three genera: Cyrestis, Chersonesia, and Marpesia. The subfamily was established after taxonomic revision split the former Cyrestini and Pseudergolini tribes, which were briefly combined before being recognized as separate subfamilies. Cyrestinae is now considered the sister group to the larger Nymphalinae subfamily. The group exhibits a disjunct tropical distribution, with Marpesia restricted to the Neotropics and Cyrestis and Chersonesia occurring primarily in the Oriental region with some Afrotropical representation.
Danaus
tiger milkweed butterflies, tigers, milkweeds, monarchs, wanderers, queens
Danaus is a genus of butterflies in the tiger butterfly tribe (Danaini), commonly known as tiger milkweed butterflies, monarchs, wanderers, and queens. The genus includes some of the most recognizable butterflies worldwide, notably the migratory monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Species in this genus are characterized by their association with milkweed host plants (Asclepias spp.), from which larvae sequester cardiac glycosides for chemical defense. The genus has a global distribution spanning North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Indonesia, and Australia, and serves as an important model system for studying migration, plant-insect coevolution, and genome evolution.
Dione juno huascuma
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.
Dione moneta
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.
Doxocopa pavon
Pavon Emperor, Pavon
Doxocopa pavon is a sexually dimorphic butterfly in the emperor butterfly subfamily Apaturinae, with males displaying iridescent blue-purple upper wing surfaces and females exhibiting mimicry of unrelated Adelpha species. The species ranges from South America through Mexico, with occasional vagrancy into southern Texas. Larvae feed exclusively on hackberry species (Celtis), while adults are nectar-feeders that also engage in mud-puddling and rotting material feeding.
Dryadula phaetusa
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.
Dryas
Julia heliconians
Dryas is a monotypic genus of brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) containing the single species Dryas iulia, commonly known as the Julia butterfly or Julia heliconian. Native from Brazil through Central America to the southern United States, this species has been observed as far north as eastern Nebraska during summer months. The genus is notable for its specialized feeding behavior, with adults known to drink tears from reptiles and eye secretions from sleeping birds to obtain salts and amino acids. Over 15 subspecies have been described across its broad Neotropical and Nearctic range.
Dynamine
Dynamine is a genus of nymphalid butterflies comprising approximately 38 described species distributed across South America. The genus was established by Hübner in 1819 and is classified within the subfamily Biblidinae. Species within this genus exhibit considerable diversity in wing pattern and coloration.
Epiphile
banners
Epiphile is a genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as banners. The genus comprises approximately 19 described species. Members are distributed in the Neotropical region. The common name "banners" refers to distinctive wing patterns or shapes characteristic of this group.
Erebia fasciata
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.
Eueides
Eueides is a genus of longwing butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Heliconiinae. The genus comprises approximately 12 recognized species distributed primarily in the Neotropics. Eueides species are closely related to Heliconius and share the characteristic elongated wings and bright coloration typical of heliconiine butterflies. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision and phylogenetic study, particularly in relation to the evolutionary development of the Heliconius-Eueides clade.
Euphydryas anicia
Anicia checkerspot, Sacramento Mountains checkerspot
Euphydryas anicia is a checkerspot butterfly (family Nymphalidae) native to the southwestern United States. The species is represented by several subspecies, including E. a. howlandi and E. a. cloudcrofti, the latter being a rare, localized form endemic to the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico. The subspecies E. a. cloudcrofti has been proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act due to its extremely restricted range and vulnerability to habitat changes. Checkerspot butterflies in this genus are typically associated with specific host plants and occupy distinct elevational zones.
Euphydryas anicia bernadetta
Euphydryas anicia bernadetta is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the Euphydryas anicia species complex, which comprises multiple subspecies distributed across western North America. The bernadetta subspecies occurs in specific regional populations. Like other checkerspot butterflies, it exhibits the characteristic orange, black, and white wing patterning typical of the genus. The species complex includes several named subspecies with restricted distributions, reflecting localized adaptation to specific habitats and host plants.
Euphydryas anicia brucei
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 capella
Euphydryas anicia capella is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, originally described by W. Barnes in 1897. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Occidryas anicia capella in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revision within the Euphydryas complex. The species belongs to a group of fritillary butterflies known for their distinctive orange and black checkered wing patterns and association with specific host plants.
Euphydryas anicia carmentis
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
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 hermosa
Euphydryas anicia hermosa is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The species Euphydryas anicia is currently placed in the genus Euphydryas, though some sources recognize it under the genus Occidryas. This subspecies was described by W.G. Wright in 1905. The broader species Euphydryas anicia is known as the Anicia checkerspot, with several recognized subspecies distributed across western North America.
Euphydryas anicia hopfingeri
Hopfinger's Checkerspot
Euphydryas anicia hopfingeri is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Gunder in 1934. The subspecies is currently considered a synonym under Occidryas anicia in some taxonomic systems, though it remains recognized as Euphydryas anicia hopfingeri in others. It is part of the Euphydryas anicia species complex, which includes multiple subspecies distributed across western North America. The species complex is associated with specific host plants and has been subject to conservation concern due to habitat requirements and climate sensitivity.
Euphydryas anicia veaziae
Veazie's checkerspot
Euphydryas anicia veaziae is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the Euphydryas anicia species complex, a group of closely related checkerspot butterflies found in western North America. The subspecies is named after Veazie, likely referencing a person or place associated with its discovery or type locality. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with specific host plants for larval development.
Euphydryas anicia wecoeut
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
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.
Euphydryas chalcedona
Chalcedon checkerspot, variable checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona is a species of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the Chalcedon checkerspot or variable checkerspot. It is native to western North America, with its range extending from British Columbia south to Baja California and east to the Rocky Mountains. The species exhibits considerable variation in wing pattern and coloration across its geographic range. Like other members of the genus Euphydryas, it is associated with specific larval host plants and has been subject to conservation concern due to habitat loss and climate change impacts affecting butterfly populations across the western United States.
Euphydryas chalcedona
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
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 chalcedona
Chalcedon Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona chalcedona is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The larvae are oligophagous, feeding primarily on plants in the Scrophulariaceae family including Diplacus aurantiacus and Scrophularia californica. Populations show geographic variation in host plant use and specialization, with some colonies being monophagous on single Penstemon species while others use multiple hosts. The subspecies has been the subject of extensive research on insect-plant coevolution, host preference, and population biology.
Euphydryas chalcedona klotsi
Euphydryas chalcedona klotsi is a subspecies of the variable checkerspot butterfly described by dos Passos in 1938. It belongs to the family Nymphalidae and is currently treated as a synonym of Occidryas chalcedona in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revision in the Euphydryas genus complex. The broader species Euphydryas chalcedona is known to exhibit significant population declines in western North America, with climate change identified as a major contributing factor.
Euphydryas chalcedona macglashanii
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.
Euphydryas gillettii
Gillett's Checkerspot, Gillette's Checkerspot
Euphydryas gillettii is a medium-sized checkerspot butterfly native to western North America. The species exhibits variable chemical defense through sequestration of iridoid glycosides from host plants, with defensive compound concentrations varying significantly between populations based on host plant use. First described by William Barnes in 1897, this montane butterfly has been the subject of ecological research examining host-plant selection and chemical ecology.
Euptoieta
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.