Types of Butterflies in Delaware
About 120 species of butterflies exist in Delaware. Here, butterflies typically breed between June and August, with activities peaking up from mid-July to mid-August. But bad weather or insufficient food resources can change the scenario. Butterflies occur in deciduous woods, near streams, rivers, wooded swamps, and in towns and cities throughout the state.
The Tiger Swallowtail (Pterourus glaucus) is the official state butterfly of Delaware.
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)
- Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
- ‘Astyanax‘ Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
- Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
- Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)
- Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona)
- Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton)
- Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus)
- Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas)
- Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
- Appalachian Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor)
- Holly Azure (Celastrina idella)
- Hessel’s Hairstreak (Callophrys hesseli)
- Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
- Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
- Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus)
- Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)
- Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
- Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
- King’s Hairstreak (Satyrium kingi)
- Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
- Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
Whites and Yellows (Pieridae)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Southern Dogface (Colias cesonia)
- Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea)
- Little Yellow (Eurema lisa)
- Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
- Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
- Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Zarucco Duskywing (Erynnis zarucco)
- Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
- Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo)
- Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius)
- Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)
- Confusing Cloudywing (Thorybes confusis)
- Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)
- Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)
- Golden Banded-Skipper (Autochton cellus)
- Hayhurst’s Scallopwing (Staphylus hayhurstii)
- Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades)
- Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
- Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
- Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official state butterfly of Delaware?
The official state butterfly of Delaware is the Tiger Swallowtail (Pterourus glaucus). This large, distinctive species is a common sight throughout the state’s deciduous woods, parks, and suburban areas. Its recognizable yellow and black striped pattern makes it one of the most well-known butterflies in the region.
How many species of butterflies live in Delaware?
Approximately 120 species of butterflies live in Delaware. This diverse population includes members from various families, such as Brush-Footed, Gossamer-Winged, and Swallowtails. The exact count can vary slightly from year to year depending on environmental factors, migration patterns, and successful breeding seasons within the state’s habitats.
When is the peak season for butterflies in Delaware?
The peak season for observing butterflies in Delaware is from mid-July to mid-August. While breeding activity generally occurs between June and August, butterfly populations and activity levels are at their highest during this specific summer window. Unfavorable weather or limited food resources can sometimes alter this timing.
Where are the best places to find butterflies in Delaware?
The best places to find butterflies in Delaware include deciduous woods, wooded swamps, and areas near streams and rivers. They are also commonly found in towns and cities, particularly in gardens and parks that offer nectar-producing flowers and specific host plants for their caterpillars to feed on.
What are some common brush-footed butterflies in Delaware?
Some common brush-footed butterflies in Delaware include the Monarch, Viceroy, Red-spotted Purple, and American Lady. This family, Nymphalidae, is the largest in the state and also features other frequently seen species like the Great Spangled Fritillary, Common Buckeye, Painted Lady, and the Mourning Cloak.
Are Monarch butterflies found in Delaware?
Yes, Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are found in Delaware. This well-known species is a member of the Brush-Footed butterfly family and can be seen throughout the state during its breeding and migration seasons. They are commonly spotted in meadows, fields, and gardens where milkweed plants are present.
What types of hairstreak butterflies live in Delaware?
Several types of hairstreak butterflies live in Delaware, including the Coral Hairstreak, Banded Hairstreak, and King’s Hairstreak. These small butterflies belong to the Gossamer-Winged family. Other species present in the state are the Juniper Hairstreak and Hessel’s Hairstreak, often found near their specific caterpillar host plants.
