Butterflies Found in the United States of America
The United States of America is home to well over 700 butterfly species. While only some can be found in all 50 states, like the Monarch, the Painted Lady, and the Red Admiral, most have more limited ranges.
Butterflies in United States
We have compiled a list of butterflies found in each state in the US below, where you will find the different types of butterflies that call that state home.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Butterflies are the most common in Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia and the rarest in Alaska and Hawaii. While most species of butterfly have thrived in the US, the Xerces blue (Glaucopsyche xerces) is sadly believed to have gone extinct in the country, with its last sighting being in 1943.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many species of butterflies are found in the United States?
The United States is home to well over 700 different butterfly species. While some are widespread across the entire country, the majority of these species have specific regional habitats and limited geographic ranges, meaning they are only found in certain states or ecosystems within the nation’s diverse landscape.
What butterflies can be found in all 50 US states?
A few highly adaptable butterfly species can be found across all 50 US states. The most common and widespread of these include the Monarch, the Painted Lady, and the Red Admiral. Their ability to thrive in various climates and find suitable host plants allows for their extensive range.
Which US states have the most butterfly species?
The US states with the highest diversity of butterfly species are Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. These states feature a wide variety of ecosystems, from mountains to coastal plains, providing the diverse host plants and nectar sources necessary to support a large number of different butterfly populations.
Which US states have the fewest butterfly species?
The states with the fewest butterfly species are Alaska and Hawaii. Alaska’s cold climate and short summer season limit the number of species that can survive and reproduce there, while Hawaii’s geographic isolation has resulted in a unique but less numerous butterfly fauna compared to the mainland United States.
Are there any butterfly species that have gone extinct in the US?
Yes, at least one butterfly species is believed to have gone extinct in the United States. The Xerces blue (Glaucopsyche xerces), which was native to coastal sand dunes around San Francisco, has not been officially sighted since 1943 and is widely considered to be permanently extinct.
Why do different US states have different types of butterflies?
Different US states have different butterflies primarily due to variations in climate, habitat, and the availability of specific host plants. Most butterfly species have caterpillars that can only feed on certain plants, so a butterfly’s range is limited to the regions where its necessary host plants naturally grow.
Is the Monarch butterfly found throughout the entire United States?
Yes, the Monarch butterfly is found throughout the entire United States, making it one of the most widespread species. Its famous long-distance migration patterns and the broad distribution of milkweed, its larval host plant, contribute to its presence across all 50 states at various times of the year.
