Types of Butterflies in Louisiana

About 153 species of butterflies have been reported in Louisiana. Their habitats range from the coastal prairies through the swamplands to the northern piney woods. People in Louisiana now spot some butterflies pretty much throughout the year, as their peak season has stretched from late February to early November.

There is no designated state butterfly for this southeastern U.S. state.

Butterflies in Louisiana (LA)

Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)

Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)

  • Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
  • Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus)
  • Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)
  • Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
  • Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus falacer)
  • Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
  • Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
  • Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
  • Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops strigosum)
  • Oak Hairstreak /’Northern’ Southern Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius ontario) 
  • Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon istapa)
  • King’s Hairstreak (Satyrium kingi)
  • Dusky-bllue Groundstreak (Calycopis isobeon)
  • Western Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium exilis)
  • Eastern Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium exilis)
  • Cassius Blue (Leptotes cassius)
  • Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)
  • Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus)
  • Reakirt’s Blue (Echinargus isola)
  • Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas)
  • Spring/Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)

Metalmark (Riodinidae)

  • Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)

Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)

  • Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
  • Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
  • Falcate Orangetip (Anthocaris midea)
  • Falcate Orangetip (Anthocaris midea)
  • Florida White (Appias drusilla)
  • 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)
  • White Angled-Sulphur (Anteos clorinde)
  • Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
  • Mexican Yellow (Eureuma mexicanum)
  • Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole)
  • Barred Yellow (Eurema daira)
  • Mexican Yellow (Eurema Mexicana)

Swallowtail (Papilionidae)

Skipper (Hesperiidae)

  • Strecker’s Giant-Skipper (Megathymus streckeri)
  • Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
  • Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
  • Tropical Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus oileus)
  • White Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus albescens)
  • Confusing Cloudywing (Thorybes confusis)
  • Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)
  • Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)
  • Dorantes Longtail (Urbanus dorantes)
  • Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)
  • Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis funeralis)
  • Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius)
  • Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)
  • Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis)
  • Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius)
  • Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo)
  • Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
  • Zarucco Duskywing (Erynnis zarucco)
  • Hayhurst’s Scallopwing (Staphylus hayhurstii)
  • Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades)
  • Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
  • Common Streaky-Skipper (Celotes nessus)
  • Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)

Frequently Asked Questions

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Approximately 153 species of butterflies have been reported throughout Louisiana. This diverse population thrives across the state’s varied ecosystems, from coastal prairies and swamplands to the northern piney woods. The high number reflects the state’s rich biodiversity and favorable climate for many different butterfly families.

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The best time to see butterflies in Louisiana is during their peak season, which now extends from late February to early November. This lengthy period allows for ample viewing opportunities as different species emerge and migrate. Warmer temperatures have contributed to this expanded seasonal activity across the state.

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No, Louisiana does not have an official state butterfly. Despite having a rich diversity of approximately 153 butterfly species and numerous other state symbols, the state legislature has not designated a specific butterfly to represent Louisiana. This is unlike many other states that have chosen an official insect.

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Some of the most common types of butterflies in Louisiana include the Gulf Fritillary, Monarch, and various hairstreaks. The state hosts many species from the Brush-Footed family (Nymphalidae), such as the Common Buckeye and Red Admiral, which are frequently spotted in gardens and wild areas across the state.

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Yes, Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are found in Louisiana, often seen during their famous migration. The state serves as a crucial corridor for Monarchs traveling to and from their overwintering sites in Mexico. They rely on local milkweed plants for their caterpillars during their journey through the region.

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Louisiana butterflies prefer a wide range of habitats that span the entire state. Their populations are distributed across diverse ecosystems, including the coastal prairies in the south, the central swamplands and marshes, and the piney woods found in the northern parishes, which together support a large variety of species.

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The Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) is a bright orange butterfly commonly found in Louisiana, known for its elongated wings and distinctive silvery spots on the underside. This species is often seen in gardens and open, sunny areas, where its host plant, the passion vine (Passiflora), typically grows.

Common Butterflies

atala

Atala (Eumaeus atala)

Postman

Postman (Heliconius melpomene)

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