Types of Butterflies in Colorado
Colorado is home to about 80 species of butterflies, the most common being black swallowtail, two-tailed swallowtail, western swallowtail, monarch, mourning cloak, variegated fritillary, Weidemeyer’s admiral, painted lady and checkered skipper.
Colorado hairstreak butterfly (Hypaurotis crysalus) is the state butterfly, designated in 1996.
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)
- Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
- Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Hydaspe Fritillary (Speyeria hydaspe)
- Mormon Fritillary (Speyeria mormonia)
- Nokomis Fritillary (Speyeria nokomis)
- Northwestern Fritillary (Speyeria hesperis)
- Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)
- Zerene Fritillary (Speyeria zerene)
- Arctic Fritillary (Boloria chariclea)
- Relict Fritillary (Boloria kriemhild)
- Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona)
- Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
- Julia Heliconian (Dryas julia)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- Queen (Danaus gilippus)
- Soldier (Danaus eresimus)
- American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Graphic Crescent (Phyciodes graphica)
- Mylitta Crescent (Phyciodes mylitta)
- Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta)
- Painted Crescent (Phyciodes picta)
- Field Crescent (Phyciodes pulchellus)
- Pale Crescent (Phyciodes pallida)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Phaon Crescent (Phyciodes phaon)
- Variable Checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)
- Edith’s Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha)
- Gillette’s Checkerspot (Euphydryas gillettii)
- Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone)
- Northern Checkerspot (Chlosyne palla)
- Fulvia Checkerspot (Thessalia fulvia)
- Leanira Checkerspot (Thessalia leanira)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti)
- Dotted Checkerspot (Poladryas minuta)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Gray Copper (Lycaena dione)
- Edith’s Copper (Lycaena editha)
- Blue Copper (Lycaena heteronea)
- Lustrous Copper (Lycaena cupreous)
- Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus siva)
- Thicket Hairstreak (Callophrys spinetorum)
- Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
- Moss’ Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
- Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios)
- Western Pine Elfin (Callophrys eryphon)
- Behr’s Hairstreak (Satyrium behrii)
- Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
- Hedgerow Hairstreak (Satyrium saepium)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Pine White (Neophasia menapia)
- Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Large Marble(Euchloe ausonides)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur (Colias alexandra)
- Southern Dogface (Zerene cesonia)
- Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
- Mexican Yellow (Eurema mexicana)
- Mead’s Sulphur (Colias meadii)
- Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole)
Metalmark Butterflies (Riodinidae)
- Nais Metalmark (Apodemia nais)
Swallowtails (Papilionidae)
- Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon)
- Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
- Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
- Indra Swallowtail (Papilio indra)
- Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
- Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon)
- Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
- Thoas Swallowtail (Papilio thoas)
- Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata)
- Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Clodius Parnassian (Parnassius clodius)
- Rocky Mountain Parnassian (Parnassius smintheus)
Skippers (Hesperiidae)
- Silver-Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
- Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)
- Mexican Cloudywing (Thorybes mexicanus)
- Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
- Rocky Mountain Duskywing (Erynnis telemachus)
- Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis)
- Pacuvius Duskywing (Erynnis pacuvius)
- Afranius Duskywing (Erynnis afranius)
- Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius)
- Russet Skipperling (Piruna pirus)
- Garita Skipperling (Oarisma garita)
- Least Skipper (Ancyloxyphia numitor)
- “Leonard’s” Pawnee Skipper (Hesperia leonardus)
- Juba Skipper (Hesperia juba)
- Pahaska Skipper (Hesperia pahaska)
- Green Skipper (Hesperia viridis)
- Sandhill Skipper (Polites sabuleti)
- Sachem (Atalopedes campestris)
- Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus)
- Draco Skipper (Polites draco)
- Tawny-Edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)
- Long Dash (Polites mystic)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official state butterfly of Colorado?
The official state butterfly of Colorado is the Colorado Hairstreak (Hypaurotis crysalus). Designated in 1996, this species is recognized for its brilliant purple wings with orange accents. It primarily inhabits Gambel oak thickets in the mountainous regions of the state, where its caterpillars feed on the oak leaves.
How many species of butterflies are found in Colorado?
Approximately 80 different species of butterflies are found in Colorado. The state’s diverse geography, from plains to high-altitude mountains, supports a wide variety of butterfly life. This count includes common species like swallowtails and monarchs as well as rarer, localized species adapted to specific Rocky Mountain ecosystems.
What are the most common butterflies seen in Colorado?
The most common butterflies seen in Colorado include the black swallowtail, monarch, mourning cloak, and painted lady. Other frequently spotted species are the two-tailed swallowtail, variegated fritillary, Weidemeyer’s admiral, and the checkered skipper. These butterflies are widespread and can be found in various habitats across the state.
Is the Monarch butterfly found in Colorado?
Yes, the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is found in Colorado and is considered one of its common species. Belonging to the Brush-Footed family (Nymphalidae), these iconic butterflies can be seen migrating through the state. Their presence is dependent on the availability of milkweed, the sole host plant for their caterpillars.
What family do Mourning Cloak butterflies in Colorado belong to?
The Mourning Cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) found in Colorado belongs to the Nymphalidae family, also known as the brush-footed butterflies. This is the largest family of butterflies and includes many other common Colorado species like the Monarch, various Fritillaries, and the Red Admiral butterfly.
Are Fritillary butterflies common in Colorado?
Yes, many species of Fritillary butterflies are common throughout Colorado. The state is home to numerous varieties within the Nymphalidae family, including the Great Spangled Fritillary, Variegated Fritillary, and Nokomis Fritillary. These butterflies are typically recognized by their bright orange wings with black checkered patterns.
Which swallowtail butterflies are native to Colorado?
Several swallowtail butterflies are native to Colorado, with the most common being the black swallowtail, two-tailed swallowtail, and western tiger swallowtail. These large, colorful butterflies are a familiar sight in gardens and wild areas, where they are drawn to a variety of nectar-producing flowers during the summer months.
