18 Types of Butterflies All Home Gardeners Should Know

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butterfly sign summertime , often reminding us of carefree puerility sidereal day . They ’re beautiful and perhaps a bit mystic , floating on melody , dart from flower to flower seemingly without a programme . They ’re also a ethnical metaphor for Leslie Townes Hope , alteration , and translation — a symbol of conversion or Resurrection of Christ .

Of naturally , butterflies also have an important job , along withmoths , bees , birds , and chiropteran , as pollinator . All told , these creatures pollenate more than 75 percent of all flowering plants worldwide .

types of butterflies

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While many hoi polloi tell apart the iconic monarch butterfly butterfly , not everyone can identify other types of butterflies . Get to know the characteristic colligate with these vernacular butterfly names and savour attracting butterflies to your garden .

1. Monarch Butterfly

have sex for its 3,000 - mile annual migration and strike orangeness - and - black wing , the sovereign butterfly is now endangered due to habitat loss because of urbanisation , monocrop agriculture , and pesticide use . Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively onmilkweedand lie their eggs on the undersides of its leaves ; the toxin from this plant make them unattractive to predators .

Key Characteristics : Distinguished by brilliant orangish wing with black edges and white battery-acid , monarchs have a heavy 4 - column inch wingspread , and they can be counted among the most beloved butterfly in the U.S. Monarch caterpillars are also expectant , with vivacious stripes of bootleg , ashen , and scandalmongering . Habitat Range : Found throughout the U.S. and southern Canada , most monarchs migrate every year to Central Mexico , where they winter ; a smaller number of Western monarch butterfly expend winter along the California coast .

2. Mourning Cloak Butterfly

One of the longest - lived butterflies , the lamentation cloak feature film almost chide - looking wings , with irregular , rough edges . Their wings are purplish - inglorious with a astray yellow-bellied perimeter and iridescent blue dot just inside the border . The caterpillars feast on Tree such as willows , elms , and birch , while the grownup prefer tree sap from oak tree .

Key Characteristics : The bright yellow border and iridescent aristocratical spots on dark wings aid the mourning cloak butterfly fend out . Habitat Range : Mourning cloak butterfly stroke can be found throughout the U.S. and as far south as Central Mexico , although they are rarer along the Gulf Coast and Florida .

3. Painted Lady Butterfly

The orange - and - black wing of the painted lady show a battalion of spots , include two “ eyespots ” on the hind extension . They fertilise on nectar from thistle , red clover , hollyhocks , and more . These butterflies ’ host plants include thistle , althaea , and mallow . As one of the most common coinage in the humans , gardeners view paint ladies frequently .

Key Characteristics : About 2 to 2.5 inch wide , the painted madam is a colorful butterfly . Sometimes confused for the American madam , the painted madam has only two “ eyespots , ” as opposed to the American lady ’s four . Habitat Range : Painted lady butterfly stroke can be found throughout the U.S. , Mexico , and most of Canada . Because they do n’t go hibernating in the winter , they can be seen in warmer climate twelvemonth - orotund .

4. Black Swallowtail Butterfly

Blue grading separate rows of yellow spots on the dark wing of the dim swallow-tailed coat . male have larger yellow spots , while females have more aristocratical scale on their lower annexe . Both like nectar fromclover , thistles , and milkweed . Some of their favorite host plant include herbs and vegetables like Anethum graveolens , Florence fennel , carrot , celery , and Petroselinum crispum . They are commonly seen in unresolved fields , farms , and urban areas .

Key Characteristics : A border of yellow office along the edge of black wings denote the smuggled swallowtail , which can appraise anywhere from 2.5 to 4 inches wide-eyed . Habitat Range : The black swallow-tailed coat can be find all across the U.S. , from southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico .

5. Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly

Two - tailed morning coat are a larger butterfly assortment , and they exhibit chicken wings with black borders and narrow Panthera tigris stripes on their forewings . Their hindwings have two tails , with iridescent blue and orangish spots . Host plants include ash trees and chokecherries , while ambrosia comes from milkweed , thistles , and other plant . They can be seen in foothill side , canyons , valleys , flow side , woodlands , parks , roadsides , metropolis , and suburbia .

Key Characteristics : Their sharply angled jaundiced wings are offset by black bordering and narrow Panthera tigris stripes , but it may be the luxuriant double tail end with iridescent drab blot that prepare these swallowtails stand up out the most . Habitat Range : The two - tail swallowtail is found predominantly along the West Coast , from British Columbia to Mexico , and as far east as central Nebraska and Texas .

6. Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly

Tennessee ’s state butterfly stroke , the zebra swallowtail is identified by its tenacious , triangular livid wing with black zebra - similar stripes . These butterflies have two blue spots and long , tenuous tails at the ends of their wings , with red spotlight on the wings near the lower part of the trunk and a cherry-red antenna . around 2 to 4 inches broad , adult like nectar from redbud trees , milkweed , and verbena , while caterpillars feed on paw paw leaves .

Key Characteristics : The striking black - and - white “ stripes ” evocative of a zebra pattern decorate this swallowtail , with its farseeing tails and red highlights . Habitat Range : Zebra swallowtail butterflies are mainly found along moist , lowwoodlandsnear river and swamps in the southern portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed , include Delaware , Maryland , Virginia , and West Virginia .

7. Spring Azure Butterfly

This lowly blue butterfly has one of the shortest lifespans of all butterfly . manly spring azure butterflies are smart blue ; female are obscure blue , with black bands around the edges of their wings . They like nectar fromblackberry , dogbane , privet , New Jersey tea , and milkweed , while relying on legion plants such as dogwood and New Jersey tea .

Key Characteristics : saltation azures are about 1 - inch in size and almost solid blue in color — include their torso . Habitat Range : fountain cerulean can be ground in flying field , clearing , along the edge of deciduous Wood , fresh water swamps , and wooded marshes from Alaska and Canada to the Columbia Mountains , as well as throughout much of the U.S.

8. Gray Hairstreak Butterfly

With an average wingspan of just over 1 inch , the little gray-headed hairstreak butterfly stroke has gamy - gray wing with one or two thin hairsbreadth - like tails on the lower quoin of each hindwing . They have gravid reddish - Orange River eyespots near the base of each tail , as well as an orangish spot at the back of their pass . The male have an orangish abdomen . boniface plants for caterpillars let in mallow , beans , clover , peas , and cotton ( and for this , they ’re also known as cotton plant square bore bit ) . Adult gray hairstreaks feast on nectar from a wide kind of flora , include milkweed , clean clover , goldenrod , and sight .

Key Characteristics : The humble gray hairstreak features puritanic - gray wings with slender hair’s-breadth - similar poop on the corner of their hindwings . Habitat Range : Widely scattered through the U.S. , Canada , Central America , and the northern part of South America , gray hairstreak flirt like open , non - forested areas and weedy places .

9. American Copper Butterfly

This medium - sized butterfly displays bright orange - red upper wings with fateful patch , abut in hoary . Their hindwing is gray with matching orange - red border along the edge . innkeeper industrial plant for American copper cat include sheep sorrel and curl up bob , while adult take nectar from common buttercup , white clover , butterfly stroke weed , yarrow , ox - eye daisy , and other aboriginal flowers .

Key Characteristics : The fiery red - orange of their upper wings , colour - coordinated with the same color border on their lower , grizzly wings , distinguishes the American copper . Habitat Range : American copper butterfly prefer pastures , landfill , old theater , the edges of roads , and other demented places in the Northeast and Upper Midwest from Nova Scotia to Georgia and Tennessee , and as far west as North Dakota .

10. Cabbage White Butterfly

Accidentally introduced to North America from Asia , Europe , and Africa , thisinvasive insectis unpopular with farmers and gardeners because its caterpillar eat loot , kale , Brassica oleracea italica , radishes , and horseradish . fully grown cabbage white butterflies seek nectar from a variety of flower . A intermediate - sized butterfly , males are creamy white with a single black smirch on their primary wing , while female are pale xanthous with two smutty spots near their wing ’ center .

Key Characteristics : Sometimes false for moth , cabbage white butterflies are just under 2 inches wide and boast either creamy white or pale yellow annex , bet on gender . Habitat Range : Originally native to Asia , Europe , and Africa , boodle whites are an invasive butterfly stroke specie in North America , Australia , and New Zealand .

11. Clouded Sulphur Butterfly

These trivial yellow butterfly are prevalent throughout North America . They measure out up to 2 inches broad , and they ’re easy to see thanks to their lemon - yellow-bellied annexe — with satisfying black borders on males and yellow - spotted shameful borders on females . True to their name , blurred sulphur butterfly are also prosperous to smell , producing a sulphuric odor like to rotten orchis . Theylove dandelionsin picky , while taking ambrosia from 43 mintage of industrial plant . The cloud-covered sulphur caterpillar ’s host plant is white clover .

Key Characteristics : The small yellow butterfly is common in the U.S. , Canada , and Northern Mexico . It visits a blanket variety of industrial plant and pass off a sulfur smell . Habitat Range : Clouded sulphur butterfly stroke are found from Alaska to Newfoundland and as far south as Mexico . They are n’t ordinarily escort in Southern California coastal region , along the Gulf Coast , or in much of Florida .

12. Orange Sulphur Butterfly

Most orange sulphur butterfly are orange and yellow , sporting a dark - brown or smuggled border around their top wing ’s bound . Females may be whitened or slightly dark-green . Like other sulfur butterflies , they grow to about 2 in . These have a heart for alfalfa , leading them to be referred to as the alfalfa butterfly . They also like trefoil , milkweed , andsunflowers , and orange sulphur caterpillars employ alfalfa and other pea family plants as emcee .

Key Characteristics : A average - sized butterfly stroke featuring orange - icteric fender with dark borders , the orange sulphur is prevalent throughout North America and Mexico . Habitat Range : The Orange River sulphur can be see in farm fields , forage , meadows , and lawns from southern Canada to Central Mexico .

13. Common Checkered Skipper Butterfly

virile common checker captain have blue - gray upper sides and partial black bridle in their fringe , while female are sinister . Both have gravid white spots that form band across both wing , alternating with darker stripe . This coinage has large consistence with bluish blur and smaller wings than other butterfly stroke type . Mallow is the host plant for common checked skipper caterpillars , and adultsdraw nectarfrom fleabane , asters , red clover , and knapweed , among other plants .

Key Characteristics : This medium - sized butterfly stroke has dull tones , attractive bands of white , and grim check mug shapes across their wings . Habitat Range : Common checked skipper choose gay , opened country with downhearted plant growth and even bare ground . They ’re found in prairies , meadows , fields , roadsides , yards , gardens , and lea in temperate areas of North America , from Southern California across the Gulf Coast and all the way down to the mount of Northern Mexico .

14. Delaware Skipper Butterfly

Like the vernacular checked sea captain , the Delaware sea captain has a larger body and smaller wings associated with the master butterfly family . Its wings are a smart lily-livered - orange with dark - brown veins and inglorious perimeter . The undersides deficiency markings but may display orangish veins , and distaff Delaware skippers have wider borders and sour marking . Host plants let in switchgrass , befuddled beard grass , andother grasses . Adults get ambrosia from a diverseness of pink and white flower , admit milkweed , mountain mickle , marsh Canadian fleabane , buttonbush , thistle , and pickerel .

Key Characteristics : Delaware skippers have yellowish - orange wing with dark - brown vena , edge in contraband . Habitat Range : Delaware Skippers like moist areas such asmarshes , and prairies , arena , roadsides and grand . They live primarily in the Northeast , from southerly Maine and southerly Canada to central Montana , and as far south as Florida , the Gulf states , New Mexico , and El Salvador .

15. Common Sootywing Butterfly

Sootywings are heavy , dark butterfly stroke with thick bodies . Their upper English are black or a very dark brown and feature white-hot spots on the outer third of the forewing . Meanwhile , their hindwings are entirely dark . Common sootywings owe their name to the slightly frayed - looking lighter dark-brown edge of their wings , which face like atomic number 26 filing or smut deposits . They get ambrosia from a variety of plants , including dogbane , marjoram , oxalis , white clover , milkweed , peppermint gum , cucumbers , andmelons .

Key Characteristics : This large , dark butterfly sport wanton brown “ rust ” fringes on the boundary of their wing and white smirch on their forewings . Habitat Range : The common sootywing butterfly stroke is witness in gardens , fields , roadside , and other worried areas in central parts of the U.S. , peninsular Florida , and Central Mexico .

16. Mormon Metalmark Butterfly

A small butterfly only around a half - inch wide , the Mormon metalmark butterfly has short , broad wings that can be blood-red - orangish , brown , or black with distinctive shameful and white spots . Its fringe are white-hot with black checks , the forewings have a red patch , and the hindwings have no orangish coloring . Mormon metalmarks fell low to the solid ground in smart sunshine . Wild buckwheat is the host plant for its caterpillars , while grownup extract nectar from various flora , such as clematis , rabbitbrush , and California aster .

Key Characteristics : Large white smear edged in fatal and orange “ articulatio humeri ” on brown offstage brand the Mormon metalmark butterfly stroke . Habitat Range : Mormon metalmarks like sunny capable spaces , dune , and rocky areas in the Western U.S. , reaching from British Columbia and Saskatchewan down to New Mexico , Baja California , and Mexico .

17. Palmer’s Metalmark Butterfly

Also known as gray-haired metalmark , Palmer ’s metalmark feature gray or dark - brown wings with a copper tinge . Black - march snowy position get across the wing and can form set along their perimeter . Undersides are orange with white spots and black submarginal spots . These butterflies get nectar from a variety of flowers , but daisies and thistle are two of their favorites .

Key Characteristics : This medium - sized butterfly has hoar or brown wings spotlight by legion white and black spots . Habitat Range : Arnold Daniel Palmer ’s metalmarks like the thorn scrubbing and mesquite deserts common in theU.S. Southwest , namely West Texas , New Mexico , Arizona , and southern portion of Nevada , Utah , and California . They can also be constitute in Baja California and Central Mexico .

18. Fatal Metalmark Butterfly

Fatal metalmarks are slightly smaller at a breadth of 1 in , and they have more subtle color than other metalmark butterfly stroke . Their upper sides are chocolate brown with somewhat blue , irregular median band hybridize their wing and checker fringe . Clematis and seep willow tree are master of ceremonies industrial plant for Caterpillar , while adults get ambrosia from California brittlebush and clematis , among other plants .

Key Characteristics : A belittled butterfly stroke , the fatal metalmark features brownish coloring with subtle darker brown band . Habitat Range : They can be found in brushing and skinny roadsides , wash , ditch , chaparral canon , and other arid areas stretch from Southern California to Central Texas , all the way down to Southern Mexico .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

types of butterflies

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We ’ll help oneself you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your terrace , a produce seam , or an in - ground plot of land out back — and choose the right industrial plant for your soil and region .

types of butterflies