Types of Butterflies in Maryland
The eastern Mid-Atlantic state of Maryland is home to about 150 species of butterflies and skippers that are commonly spotted hovering across the woods, fields, yards, and gardens. They feed on nectar from flowers, rotting fruit, animal scat, or the wet and decaying woods. Some butterfly species have a specific choice, such as Palamedes Swallowtail butterfly in the caterpillar stage only eats the rare Red bay trees that occur in Eastern Shore of Worcester and Somerset Counties.
Maryland has Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) as its state butterfly, designated in 1973.
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)
- Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
- Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis)
- Diana (Speyeria diana)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)
- Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona)
- Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- Queen (Danaus gilippus)
- American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Harris’ Checkerspot (Chlosyne harrisii)
- Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Tawny Crescent (Phyciodes batesii)
- Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton)
- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
White and Sulphur (Pieridae)
- Cabbage white (Pieris rapae)
- West Virginia white (Pieris virginiensis)
- Checkered white (Pontia protodice)
- Falcate orangetip (Anthocharis midea)
- Olympia marble (Euchloe olympia)
- Clouded sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Pink-edged sulphur (Colias interior)
- Sleepy orange (Abaeis nicippe)
- Little yellow (Eurema lisa)
- Cloudless sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- American copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- Bog copper (Lycaena epixanthe)
- Bronze copper (Lycaena hyllus)
- Gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- White M hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
- Banded hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
- Hickory hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus)
- Edward’s hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
- King’s hairstreak (Satyrium kingi)
- Striped hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
- Northern oak hairstreak (Satyrium favonius ontario)
- Coral hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
- Brown elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
- Henry’s elfin (Callophrys henrici)
- Frosted elfin (Callophrys irus)
- Hoary elfin (Callophrys polios)
- Eastern pine elfin (Callophrys niphon)
- Great purple hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
- Juniper hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
- Hessel’s hairstreak (Callophrys hesseli)
- Early hairstreak (Erora laeta)
- Eastern tail-blue (Cupido comyntas)
- Silvery blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
- Appalachian azure (Celastrina neglectamajor)
- Dusky azure (Celastrina nigra)
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
- Northern Metalmark (Calephelis borealis)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
- Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
- Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes)
- Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
- Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae)
- Confusing Cloudywing (Thorybes confusis)
- Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)
- Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)
- Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
- Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis)
- Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius)
- Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius)
- Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo)
- Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)
- Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
- Zarucco Duskywing (Erynnis zarucco)
- Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)
- Dorantes Longtail (Urbanus dorantes)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
- Golden Banded-Skipper (Autochton cellus)
- Hayhurst’s Scallopwing (Staphylus hayhurstii)
- Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades)
- Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official state butterfly of Maryland?
The official state butterfly of Maryland is the Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton). Designated in 1973, this species belongs to the Brush-Footed butterfly family. Its distinct orange, white, and black pattern is a notable characteristic that makes it a recognizable symbol of the state’s diverse insect population.
How many butterfly species are found in Maryland?
Approximately 150 species of butterflies and skippers are commonly found throughout Maryland. This diverse population inhabits various ecosystems across the state, including forests, fields, and residential gardens. These species represent several families, such as Brush-Footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) and Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae), contributing to the state’s biodiversity.
What do butterflies in Maryland eat?
Butterflies in Maryland primarily consume nectar from flowers for energy. However, their diet is quite varied and can also include nutrients and moisture obtained from other sources. These alternative food sources include rotting fruit, animal scat, and damp, decaying wood found in their natural habitats across the state.
Are Monarch butterflies found in Maryland?
Yes, Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are found in Maryland as part of the Brush-Footed family. The state is situated along their famous migratory path, making it a common location to spot these iconic orange and black butterflies. They are often seen in gardens and fields feeding on nectar.
Which Maryland butterfly caterpillar only eats Red bay trees?
The Palamedes Swallowtail caterpillar has a highly specific diet, feeding exclusively on the rare Red bay trees. This host plant dependency restricts the butterfly’s range within Maryland. It is primarily found in the Eastern Shore counties of Worcester and Somerset, where its essential food source grows naturally.
What are some common Brush-Footed butterflies in Maryland?
Maryland hosts numerous species of Brush-Footed butterflies (Nymphalidae). Besides the Monarch and state butterfly, the Baltimore Checkerspot, other common examples include the Red-spotted Purple, American Lady, Mourning Cloak, and the Question Mark. Each has distinct patterns and behaviors observable in local parks and gardens.
Can you find Viceroy butterflies in Maryland?
Yes, the Viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus) is a resident of Maryland. As a member of the Brush-Footed family, it is well-known for mimicking the appearance of the Monarch butterfly. Viceroys can be distinguished from Monarchs by a distinct black line that crosses their hindwings.
