Types of Butterflies in Kentucky
There are about 150 different butterfly species in Kentucky, of which 59 are ‘true’ butterflies and 25 are skippers. Kentucky is famous for its bluegrass region, where some of the beautiful species inhabit. The other places where butterflies reside include the Cumberland and Appalachian Mountain area, Shawnee Hills, Central Hill, and Valley area, and lowlands along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. Some common species include the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Viceroy, Orange Sulphur, Red Admiral, Mourning Cloak, Monarch, Silver-spotted Skipper, the Falcate Orangetip, Olympia Marble, Harvester, and Baltimore Checkerspot.
The Viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus) is the state butterfly of this southeastern U.S. state.
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)
- White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis arthemis)
- ‘Astyanax‘ Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
- Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
- Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
- Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)
- Goatweed Leafwing (Anaea andria)
- Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
- Diana (Speyeria diana)
- 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)
- Queen (Danaus gilippus)
- American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Tawny Crescent (Phyciodes batesii)
- Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)
- Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone)
- White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae)
- Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti)
- Malachite (Siproeta stelenes)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas americana)
- Bronze Copper (Hyllolycaena hyllus)
- Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
- Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus mopsus)
- Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadicum)
- Edwards’ Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
- Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus falacer)
- Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorum)
- Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops strigosum)
- Oak Hairstreak /’Northern’ Southern Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius ontario)
- Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
- Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
- Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustus)
- Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus)
- Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)
- Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
- White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- Early Hairstreak (Erora laeta)
- Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)
- Eastern Tailed Blue (Everes comyntas)
- Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
- Appalachian Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor)
- Duzky Azure (Celastrina nigra)
- Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia)
- Falcate Orangetip (Anthocaris midea)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Southern Dogface (Zerene cesonia)
- Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea)
- Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe)
- Lyside Sulphur (Kricogonia lyside)
- Little Sulphur (Eurema lisa)
- Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
- Mexican Yellow (Eureuma mexicanum)
- Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole)
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Northern Metalmark (Calephelis borealis)
- Swamp Metalmark (Calephelis muticum)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
- Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
- Ozark Swallowtail (Papilio joanae)
- Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
- Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes)
- Polydamas Swallowtail (Battus polydamas)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
- Columbine Duskywing (Erynnis lucilius)
- Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
- Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius)
- Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis funeralis)
- Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis)
- Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)
- Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo)
- Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
- Zarucco Duskywing (Erynnis zarucco)
- Confusing Cloudywing (Thorybes confusis)
- Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)
- Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)
- Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
- Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae)
- Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
- Hayhurst’s Scallopwing (Staphylus hayhurstii)
- Golden Banded-Skipper (Autochton cellus)
- Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades)
- Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official state butterfly of Kentucky?
The official state butterfly of Kentucky is the Viceroy (Limenitis archippus). This species belongs to the brush-footed butterfly family and is well-known for its striking resemblance to the Monarch butterfly. It was designated to represent the natural beauty found throughout the Commonwealth’s diverse habitats and ecosystems.
How many species of butterflies are found in Kentucky?
Approximately 150 different butterfly species are found in Kentucky. This count includes about 59 species of ‘true’ butterflies and 25 species of skippers. The state’s varied geography, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi lowlands, supports this wide variety of lepidoptera, making it a rich area for observation.
What are the most common butterfly species in Kentucky?
Some of the most common butterfly species in Kentucky include the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Monarch, and the state butterfly, the Viceroy. Other frequently sighted species are the Red Admiral, Mourning Cloak, Orange Sulphur, and the Silver-spotted Skipper, which are widespread across the state’s various habitats.
Where are the best places to see butterflies in Kentucky?
The best places to see butterflies in Kentucky are within its diverse natural regions, particularly the famous bluegrass area and the Appalachian Mountains. Other excellent locations for butterfly observation include the Shawnee Hills, the Central Hill and Valley area, and the lowlands along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
Are Monarch butterflies native to Kentucky?
Yes, Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are native to Kentucky and are a commonly observed species within the state. As part of the brush-footed family, they are found throughout Kentucky’s habitats during their migration seasons. The state’s native milkweed plants are crucial for their life cycle.
What is a common type of swallowtail butterfly in Kentucky?
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is a very common and recognizable swallowtail butterfly found throughout Kentucky. This large, yellow and black butterfly is frequently seen in woodlands, gardens, and along riverbanks. Its presence is a familiar sight for residents exploring the state’s diverse ecosystems from spring through fall.
What are some examples of brush-footed butterflies in Kentucky?
Common examples of brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) in Kentucky include the Monarch, Viceroy, and Red Admiral. This large family also includes species like the Mourning Cloak, various Fritillaries, and the Question Mark butterfly. They are characterized by their reduced front legs, which are not used for walking.
