Types of Butterflies in Arizona
There are five families of ‘true’ butterflies in Arizona, including Gossamer-winged Butterflies (Lycaenidae), Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae), Swallowtails (Papilionidae), Whites, Yellows, and Sulphurs (Pieridae), and Metalmarks (Riodinidae). Out of the total number of butterflies in Arizona, there are about 60 butterfly species in the city of Tucson alone.
The two-tailed swallowtail butterfly (Papilio multicaudata) is Arizona’s state Butterfly. The list below gives an overview of the butterflies found in Arizona.
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)
- Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
- Weidemeyer’s Admiral (Limenitis weidemeyerii)
- ‘Astyanax‘ Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
- Ruddy Daggerwing (Marpesia petreus)
- Many-banded Daggerwing (Marpesia chiron)
- Black-patched Cracker (Hamadryas atlantis)
- Blackened Bluewing (Myscelia cyananthe)
- Dusky Emperor (Asterocampa idyja)
- Empress Leilia (Asterocampa leilia)
- Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
- Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)
- Silver Emperor (Doxocopa laure)
- Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
- Coronis Fritillary (Speyeria coronis)
- Mormon Fritillary (Speyeria mormonia)
- Nokomis Fritillary (Speyeria nokomis)
- Northwestern Fritillary (Speyeria hesperis)
- Mexican Fritillary (Euptoieta hegesia)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
- Isabella’s Heliconian (Eueides isabella)
- Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- Queen (Danaus gilippus)
- Soldier (Danaus eresimus)
- American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
- Field Crescent (Phyciodes pulchellus)
- Graphic Crescent (Phyciodes graphica)
- Mylitta Crescent (Phyciodes mylitta)
- Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta)
- Painted Crescent (Phyciodes picta)
- Pale Crescent (Phyciodes pallida)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Phaon Crescent (Phyciodes phaon)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Satyr Comma (Polygonia satyrus)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Red-spotted Patch (Chlosyne marina)
- Rosita Patch (Chlosyne rosita)
- Sagebrush Checkerspot (Chlosyne acastus)
- Variable Checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Dotted Checkerspot (Poladryas minuta)
- Elada Checkerspot (Texola elada)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Fulvia Checkerspot (Thessalia fulvia)
- Elf (Microtia elva)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Lupine Blue (Aricia lupini)
- Reakirt’s Blue (Hemiargus isola)
- Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis or Brephidium exile)
- Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus)
- Marine Blue/Striped Blue (Leptotes marina)
- Eastern Tailed Blue (Cupido comyntas)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- Leda Ministreak (Ministrymon leda)
- Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
- Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Lyside Sulphur/Guayacan Sulphur (Kricogonia lyside)
- Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe)
- Dainty Sulphur/Dwarf Yellow (Nathalis iole)
- Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- Mexican Yellow (Eurema Mexicana)
- Southern Dogface (Colias cesonia)
- Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
- Desert Orangetip (Anthocharis cethura cethura)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- Spring White/California White/Colorado White (Pontia sisymbrii)
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Zela Metalmark (Emesis zela)
- Arizona Metalmark (Calephelis arizonensis)
- Mormon Metalmark (Apodemia mormo)
- Fatal Metalmark/Dusky Metalmark (Calephelis nemesis)
- Palmer’s Metalmark/Gray Metalmark (Apodemia palmeri)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata)
- Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon)
- Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
- Broad-banded Swallowtail (Papilio astyalus)
- Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
- Indra Swallowtail (Papilio indra)
- Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
- Ornythion Swallowtail (Papilio ornythion)
- Ruby-spotted Swallowtail (Papilio anchisiades)
- Three-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio pilumnus)
- Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)
- White-dotted Cattleheart (Parides alopius)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Polydamas Swallowtail (Battus polydamas)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official state butterfly of Arizona?
The official state butterfly of Arizona is the two-tailed swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata). This large butterfly is easily recognized by its bright yellow wings with black tiger stripes and two distinct tails on each hindwing. It belongs to the Papilionidae family and is commonly seen throughout the state.
How many families of butterflies are found in Arizona?
There are five main families of ‘true’ butterflies found in Arizona. These scientific groupings include the Gossamer-winged Butterflies (Lycaenidae), Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae), Swallowtails (Papilionidae), Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae), and Metalmarks (Riodinidae). Each family contains a wide variety of distinct species native to the region.
What are Brush-footed butterflies in Arizona?
Brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) are a large family in Arizona known for having their front pair of legs reduced in size, making them appear to have only four legs. This diverse group includes well-known species like the Monarch, Queen, Painted Lady, various Fritillaries, and the Red-spotted Purple.
How can you tell the difference between a Monarch and a Queen butterfly in Arizona?
You can tell the difference by their coloration and wing patterns. The Monarch has a bright orange color with thick black veins, while the Queen is a deeper, reddish-brown and lacks the prominent vein pattern. The Queen also features small white spots on its forewings that the Monarch lacks.
Are Painted Lady butterflies common in Arizona?
Yes, the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is a very common butterfly in Arizona and is part of the Brush-footed family. This migratory species is recognized by its orange and black patterned wings with white spots. They are often seen in large numbers during their migration periods across the state.
What kind of swallowtail butterflies live in Arizona?
Arizona is home to several swallowtail butterflies from the Papilionidae family, most notably the state butterfly, the two-tailed swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata). Other species can also be found depending on the region and elevation, often characterized by their large size and the tail-like extensions on their hindwings.
Where are the best places to see butterflies in Arizona?
The best places to see butterflies in Arizona are typically in canyons and riparian areas with abundant flowering plants and water sources. Locations like Madera Canyon, Ramsey Canyon Preserve, and the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve are renowned hotspots for observing a high diversity of butterfly species, including many rarities.
