Types of Butterflies in Idaho
The northwestern state of Idaho, with its wide range of habitat, is home to about one hundred and seventy-five butterfly species that is more than most of the U.S. states. Aside from being close to the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, Idaho features several forests that have favored diverse butterfly species.
The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the official state butterfly of Idaho since 1992.
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Lorquin’s Admiral (Limenitis lorquini)
- Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
- Weidemeyer’s Admiral (Limenitis weidemeyerii)
- California Sister (Adelpha bredowii)
- Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
- Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis)
- Callippe Fritillary (Speyeria callippe)
- Coronis Fritillary (Speyeria coronis)
- Edwards’ Fritillary (Speyeria edwardsii)
- Great Basin Fritillary (Speyeria egleis)
- Mormon Fritillary (Speyeria mormonia)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Hydaspe Fritillary (Speyeria hydaspe)
- Northwestern Fritillary (Speyeria hesperis)
- Zerene Fritillary (Speyeria zerene)
- Arctic Fritillary (Boloria chariclea)
- Frigga Fritillary (Boloria frigga)
- Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona)
- Pacific Fritillary (Boloria epithore)
- Relict Fritillary (Boloria kriemhild)
- Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Mexican Fritillary (Euptoieta hegesia)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- Queen (Danaus gilippus)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Edith’s Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha)
- Gillette’s Checkerspot (Euphydryas gillettii)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Satyr Comma (Polygonia satyrus)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis)
- Northern Checkerspot (Chlosyne palla)
- Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone)
- Sagebrush Checkerspot (Chlosyne acastus)
- Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta)
- Field Crescent (Phyciodes pulchellus)
- Pale Crescent (Phyciodes pallida)
- Mylitta Crescent (Phyciodes mylitta)
- Leanira Checkerspot (Thessalia leanira)
- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti)
- Variable Checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Tailed Copper (Lycaena arota)
- American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Lustrous Copper (Lycaena cupreus)
- Gray Copper (Lycaena dione)
- Edith’s Copper (Lycaena editha)
- Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus)
- Ruddy Copper (Lycaena rubidus)
- Blue Copper (Lycaena heteronea)
- Purplish Copper (Lycaena helloides)
- Lilac-bordered Copper (Lycaena nivalis)
- Mariposa Copper (Lycaena mariposa)
- Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Behr’s Hairstreak (Satyrium behrii)
- Sooty Hairstreak (Satyrium fuliginosum)
- Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadica)
- California Hairstreak (Satyrium californica)
- Sylvan Hairstreak (Satyrium sylvinus)
- Hedgerow Hairstreak (Satyrium saepium)
- Western Green Hairstreak (Callophrys affinis)
- Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak (Callophrys sheridani)
- Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
- Moss’ Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
- Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios)
- Western Pine Elfin (Callophrys eryphon)
- Thicket Hairstreak (Callophrys spinetorum)
- Johnson’s Hairstreak (Callophrys johnsoni)
- Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
- Nelson’s Hairstreak (Callophrys nelsoni)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- Western Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium exile)
- Reakirt’s Blue (Hemiargus isola)
- Eastern Tailed-Blue (Everes comyntas)
- Western Tailed-Blue (Everes amyntula)
- Spring Azure (Celastrina ‘ladon’)
- Western Square-dotted Blue (Euphilotes battoides)
- Rocky Mountain Dotted-Blue (Euphilotes ancilla)
- Arrowhead Blue (Glaucopsyche piasus)
- Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
- Northern Blue (Lycaeides idas)
- Melissa Blue (Lycaeides melissa)
- Greenish Blue (Plebeius saepiolus)
- Boisduval’s Blue (Plebeius icarioides)
- Shasta Blue (Plebeius shasta)
- Lupine Blue (Plebeius lupini)
- Arctic Blue (Agriades glandon)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Pine White (Neophasia menapia)
- Becker’s White (Pontia beckerii)
- Spring White (Pontia sisymbrii)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- Western White (Pontia occidentalis)
- Margined White (Pieris marginalis)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides)
- Desert Marble (Euchloe lotta)
- Stella Orangetip (Anthocharis stella)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Western Sulphur (Colias occidentalis)
- Christina Sulphur (Colias christina)
- Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur (Colias alexandra)
- Mead’s Sulphur (Colias meadii)
- Giant Sulphur (Colias gigantea)
- Pelidne Sulphur (Colias pelidne)
- Pink-edged Sulphur (Colias interior)
- Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole)
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Mormon Metalmark (Apodemia mormo)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon)
- Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis)
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
- Indra Swallowtail (Papilio indra)
- Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
- Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon)
- Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata)
- Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)
- Clodius Parnassian (Parnassius clodius)
- Rocky Mountain Parnassian (Parnassius smintheus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Afranius Duskywing (Erynnis afranius)
- Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
- Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis)
- Pacuvius Duskywing (Erynnis pacuvius)
- Afranius Duskywing (Erynnis afranius)
- Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
- Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
- Two-banded Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus ruralis)
- Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae)
- Mexican Cloudywing (Thorybes mexicana)
- Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)
- Mohave Sootywing (Hesperopsis libya)
- Northern White-Skipper (Heliopetes ericetorum)
- Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
- Arctic Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)
- Russet Skipperling (Piruna pirus)
- Garita Skipperling (Oarisma garita)
- European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
- Juba Skipper (Hesperia juba)
- Western Branded Skipper (Hesperia colorado)
- Nevada Skipper (Hesperia nevada)
- Peck’s Skipper (Polites peckius)
- Sandhill Skipper (Polites sabuleti)
- Draco Skipper (Polites draco)
- Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)
- Long Dash (Polites mystic)
- Sonora Skipper (Polites sonora)
- Sachem (Atalopedes campestris)
- Woodland Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanoides)
- Yuma Skipper (Ochlodes yuma)
- Taxiles Skipper (Poanes taxiles)
- Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris)
- Common Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes vialis)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official state butterfly of Idaho?
The official state butterfly of Idaho is the Monarch (Danaus plexippus), designated in 1992. This iconic species is known for its remarkable long-distance migration and distinct orange and black wing pattern. Its presence in the state underscores the rich ecological diversity found across Idaho’s varied landscapes.
How many species of butterflies are found in Idaho?
Idaho is home to approximately one hundred and seventy-five butterfly species, a number higher than most other U.S. states. This significant biodiversity is a direct result of the state’s varied geography, which includes extensive forests, the Rocky Mountains, and diverse ecosystems that support numerous butterfly populations.
Why does Idaho have such a high diversity of butterfly species?
Idaho’s high diversity of butterfly species is attributed to its wide range of habitats. The state’s unique geography, featuring the Rocky Mountains, vast forests, and varied elevations, creates numerous distinct ecosystems. These diverse environments provide the specific host plants and nectar sources required by many different butterfly species.
What types of Fritillary butterflies can be seen in Idaho?
Idaho is host to numerous Fritillary butterfly species, which belong to the Nymphalidae family. Some of the Fritillaries you might encounter in the state’s diverse habitats include:
* Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
* Mormon Fritillary (Speyeria mormonia)
* Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
* Callippe Fritillary (Speyeria callippe)
Are Mourning Cloak butterflies found in Idaho?
Yes, the Mourning Cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) is found in Idaho as part of the state’s diverse fauna. This distinctive species, a member of the Brush-Footed family, is easily recognized by its dark maroon wings that are bordered by a bright yellow edge and a row of blue spots.
Which family of butterflies is most common in Idaho?
The most common and diverse family of butterflies in Idaho appears to be the Brush-Footed butterflies (Nymphalidae). This extensive group includes many of the state’s most visible species, such as Monarchs, Admirals, Fritillaries, Ladies, and Checkerspots, which thrive in Idaho’s varied forests, mountains, and meadows.
What kinds of Admiral butterflies live in Idaho?
Idaho is home to several types of Admiral butterflies, known for their bold wing patterns and gliding flight. Species documented within the state include the Lorquin’s Admiral (Limenitis lorquini) and Weidemeyer’s Admiral (Limenitis weidemeyerii). The closely related Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) is also present in Idaho.
