Types of Butterflies in Massachusetts

It has been estimated that 120 species of butterflies occur in the northeastern U.S. state of Massachusetts. The state provides plenty of natural habitats, including the knee-high plants and tree-shaded trails of Weir Hill, Mt. Wachusett, Mt. Monadnock, as well as the lowlands that are dotted with lakes. Weir Hill alone is home to about half of the 120 species.

There is no state-butterfly designate for Massachusetts.

Butterflies in Massachusetts (MA)

Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)

Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)

  • Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
  • American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
  • Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus)
  • Bog Copper (Lycaena epixanthe)
  • Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
  • Bog Elfin (Callophrys lanoraieensis)
  • Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
  • Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios)
  • Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)
  • Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus)
  • Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadica)
  • Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
  • Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
  • Early Hairstreak (Erora laeta)
  • Edwards’ Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
  • Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
  • Hessel’s Hairstreak (Callophrys hesseli)
  • Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorum)
  • Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
  • Oak Hairstreak (Satyrium favoniu)
  • Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
  • Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
  • White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
  • Summer Azure (Celastrina ladon)
  • Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
  • Eastern Tailed-Blue (Everes comyntas)
  • Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)

Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)

Swallowtail (Papilionidae)

Skipper (Hesperiidae)

  • Columbine Duskywing (Erynnis lucilius)
  • Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
  • Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
  • Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius)
  • Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo)
  • Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius)
  • Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis)
  • Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)
  • Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)
  • Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)
  • Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
  • Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
  • Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades)
  • Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)
  • Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)