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.
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)
- Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona)
- Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- 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)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Harris’ Checkerspot (Chlosyne harrisii)
- Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)
- Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti)
- Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton)
- White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
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)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- Mustard White (Pieris napi)
- West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- Little Yellow (Eurema lisa)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
- Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis)
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
- Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
- Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
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)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many species of butterflies are found in Massachusetts?
An estimated 120 different species of butterflies are found in Massachusetts. The state’s diverse habitats, from mountainous regions like Mt. Wachusett to specific conservation areas like Weir Hill, support this wide variety of butterfly life, including numerous types of fritillaries, emperors, and gossamer-winged butterflies.
Does Massachusetts have an official state butterfly?
No, Massachusetts does not have an official state butterfly. While many other states have designated a specific species to represent them, Massachusetts has not officially named one. The state is, however, home to a rich diversity of approximately 120 different butterfly species, including the well-known Monarch.
What are some common brush-footed butterflies in Massachusetts?
Common brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) in Massachusetts include the Monarch, Viceroy, Painted Lady, and Red Admiral. You can also find various fritillaries like the Great Spangled Fritillary and unique species such as the Mourning Cloak, Eastern Comma, and the distinctively named Question Mark butterfly.
Where is a good place to see butterflies in Massachusetts?
Weir Hill in North Andover is an excellent location to see a large variety of butterflies, hosting about half of the state’s 120 species. Other notable spots with suitable natural habitats for butterfly observation include the trails and diverse elevations found on Mt. Wachusett and Mt. Monadnock.
Are Monarch butterflies found in Massachusetts?
Yes, the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a native species found throughout Massachusetts. As a member of the brush-footed butterfly family, it is a common sight in the state’s meadows and open fields during its breeding and migration seasons, relying on native milkweed plants for its caterpillars.
What is the difference between a Red-spotted Purple and a White Admiral?
The Red-spotted Purple and the White Admiral are two subspecies of the same butterfly, *Limenitis arthemis*. In Massachusetts, the White Admiral (*L. arthemis arthemis*) is characterized by broad white bands on its wings, while the ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple (*L. arthemis astyanax*) lacks these distinctive white bands.
What types of Gossamer-winged butterflies live in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is home to several types of Gossamer-winged butterflies (Lycaenidae). This diverse family includes various coppers, such as the American Copper and Bog Copper, as well as multiple elfin species like the Eastern Pine Elfin and Brown Elfin. The unique, carnivorous Harvester butterfly also belongs to this group.
