Types of Butterflies in Kansas
The midwestern state of Kansas has about 190 species of butterflies, some of which are frequently spotted and the rest, being migratory, are rarely found. Autumn is the best time of the year when their activity increases, as the seasonal flowers like goldenrod, aster, and Maximilian sunflower bloom and produce nectar, attracting swarms of butterflies.
Till now, no butterfly species has been designated as the state butterfly of Kansas.
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)
- Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
- ‘Astyanax‘ Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
- Common Mestra (Mestra amymone)
- Ruddy Daggerwing (Marpesia petreus)
- Many-banded Daggerwing (Marpesia chiron)
- California Sister (Adelpha bredowii)
- Florida Purplewing (Eunica tatila)
- Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
- Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)
- Goatweed Leafwing (Anaea andria)
- Tropical Leafwing (Anaea troglodyta)
- Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
- Edwards’ Fritillary (Speyeria edwardsii)
- Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
- Isabella’s Heliconian (Eueides isabella)
- Julia Heliconian (Dryas julia)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius)
- Banded Orange Heliconian (Dryadula phaetusa)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- Queen (Danaus gilippus)
- Tiger Mimic-Queen (Lycorea cleobaea)
- American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton)
- Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacinia)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
- Field Crescent (Phyciodes pulchellus)
- Fulvia Checkerspot (Thessalia fulvia)
- Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone)
- Graphic Crescent (Phyciodes graphica)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis)
- Malachite (Siproeta stelenes)
- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Painted Crescent (Phyciodes picta)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Phaon Crescent (Phyciodes phaon)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)
- Texan Crescent (Phyciodes texana)
- West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella)
- White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Gray Copper (Lycaena dione)
- Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus)
- Purplish Copper (Lycaena helloides)
- Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
- Soapberry Hairstreak (Phaeostrymon Alcestis)
- Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadica)
- Edwards’ Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
- Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
- Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus)
- Stray Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
- Southern Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius)
- Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)
- ‘Olive’ Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus gryneus)
- White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
- Dusky-blue Groundstreak (Calycopis isobeon)
- Gray Ministreak (Ministrymon azia)
- Western Pygmy-Blue Brephidium exilis)
- Cassius Blue (Leptotes cassius)
- Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)
- Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus)
- Reakirt’s Blue (Hemiargus isola)
- Eastern Tailed Blue (Cupido comyntas)
- Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
- Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
- Melissa Blue (Plebejus Melissa)
- Lupine Blue (Plebejus lupine)
White and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Florida White (Appias Drusilla)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- Western White (Pontia occidentalis)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Great Southern White (Ascia monuste)
- Giant White (Ganyra Josephina)
- Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia)
- Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Southern Dogface (Colias cesonia)
- White Angled-Sulphur (Anteos chlorinde)
- Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea)
- Apricot Sulphur (Phoebis argante)
- Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe)
- Statira Sulphur (Phoebis statira)
- Lyside Sulphur (Kricogonia lyside)
- Mexican Yellow (Eurema Mexicana)
- Tailed Orange (Eurema proterpia)
- Little Yellow (Eurema lisa)
- Mimosa Yellow (Eurema nise)
- Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
- Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
- Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
- Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
- Ornythion Swallowtail (Papilio ornythion)
- Ruby-spotted Swallowtail (Papilio anchisiades)
- Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
- Thoas Swallowtail (Papilio thoas)
- Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
- Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)
- Hayhurst’s Scallopwing (Staphylus hayhurstii)
- Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis funeralis)
- Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
- Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
- Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
- Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor)
- Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus)
- Ottoe Skipper (Hesperia ottoe)
- Sachem (Atalopedes campestris)
- Arogos Skipper (Atrytone arogos)
- Delaware Skipper (Anatrytone logan)
- Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon)
- Nysa Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes nysa)
- Common Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes vialis)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many different butterfly species are found in Kansas?
Kansas is home to approximately 190 species of butterflies. This figure includes both resident species that live in the state year-round and various migratory species that are observed less frequently. The state’s diverse prairie and woodland habitats support this wide variety of butterfly life and their host plants.
Does Kansas have an official state butterfly?
No, Kansas does not currently have an official state butterfly. While many states have designated a specific species to represent them, the Kansas legislature has not yet officially named one. Therefore, no single butterfly species holds a formal state designation despite the abundance of different types found there.
When is the best time of year to see butterflies in Kansas?
The best time of year to see butterflies in Kansas is during the autumn. Butterfly activity significantly increases during this season as crucial nectar-producing flowers come into bloom. This provides an abundant food source that attracts large numbers of both resident and late-season migrating butterflies before the first frost.
Why are more butterflies active in Kansas during the fall?
More butterflies are active in Kansas during the fall because of the blooming of key nectar-producing plants. Seasonal flowers like goldenrod, aster, and Maximilian sunflower provide a vital food source that attracts swarms of butterflies. This floral abundance fuels their activity and prepares migratory species for their journey.
What are some common Brush-Footed butterflies in Kansas?
Some common Brush-Footed butterflies in Kansas include the Monarch, Viceroy, Painted Lady, and Great Spangled Fritillary. This family, Nymphalidae, is the largest group of butterflies and is well-represented across the state’s ecosystems. They are often identified by their habit of perching with only four of their six legs.
Can you find Monarch butterflies in Kansas?
Yes, you can find Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) in Kansas. The state is a critical part of the central flyway for the annual Monarch migration to and from Mexico. They are commonly seen throughout the state, especially during the late summer and fall as they feed on nectar.
Are Regal Fritillary butterflies found in Kansas?
Yes, the Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia) is found in Kansas, although it is considered a species of conservation concern. This large, striking butterfly depends on native prairie habitats containing violets, which are the host plants for its caterpillars. Its presence indicates a healthy and intact tallgrass prairie ecosystem.
