Types of Butterflies in Michigan
This Midwestern U.S. state, due to its geographical diversities, is home to a wide variety of butterfly species. The state is located in the Great Lakes and almost entirely covered with a number of national forests that provide an ideal habitat for butterflies. About 157 butterfly species are reportedly spotted here.
Till now, no butterfly species have been declared as the state butterfly of Michigan.
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)
- Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)
- Bog Fritillary (Boloria eunomia)
- Freija Fritillary (Boloria freija)
- Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona)
- Frigga Fritillary (Boloria frigga)
- Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- Queen (Danaus gilippus)
- American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton)
- California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Satyr Comma (Polygonia satyrus)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis)
- Harris’ Checkerspot (Chlosyne harrisii)
- Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone)
- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti)
- Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)
- Tawny Crescent (Phyciodes batesii)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- American copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Dorcas copper (Lycaena dorcas)
- Purplish copper (Lycaena helloides)
- Bog copper (Lycaena epixanthe)
- Bronze copper (Lycaena hyllus)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- Gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- White M hairstreak(Parrhasius m-album)
- Banded hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
- Hickory hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus)
- Edward’s hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
- Striped hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
- Northern oak hairstreak (Satyrium favonius ontario)
- Acadian hairstreak (Satyrium acadica)
- Coral hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Brown elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
- Henry’s elfin (Callophrys henrici)
- Frosted elfin (Callophrys irus)
- Hoary elfin (Callophrys polios)
- Eastern pine elfin (Callophrys niphon)
- Western pine elfin (Callophrys eryphon)
- Early hairstreak (Erora laeta)
- Eastern tailed-blue (Cupido comyntas)
- Silvery blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
- Spring azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Summer azure (Celastrina neglecta)
- Greenish blue (Icaricia saepiolus)
- Melissa blue (Plebejus Melissa)
- Karner blue (Plebejus melissa samuelis)
- Anna’s blue (Plebejus anna)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Cabbage white (Pieris rapae)
- Mustard white (Pieris oleracea)
- West Virginia white (Pieris virginiensis)
- Checkered white (Pontia protodice)
- Western White (Pontia occidentalis)
- Olympia marble (Euchloe olympia)
- Creamy Marblewhite (Euchloe ausonides)
- Clouded sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Pink-edged sulphur (Colias interior)
- Little yellow (Eurema lisa)
- Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
- Mexican Sulphur (Eurema mexicanum)
- Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole)
- Dog Face (Zerene cesonia)
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Swamp Metalmark (Calephelis muticum)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
- Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis)
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
- Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
- Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
- Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Columbine Duskywing (Erynnis lucilius)
- Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
- Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
- Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae)
- Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius)
- Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)
- Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)
- Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis)
- Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)
- Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
- Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo)
- Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)
- Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
- Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
- Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades)
- Arctic skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)
- European skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
- Least skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor)
- Poweshiek skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek)
- Common branded skipper (Hesperia comma)
- Cobweb skipper (Hesperia metea)
- Leonard’s skipper (Hesperia leonardus)
- Indian skipper (Hesperia sassacus)
- Ottoe skipper (Hesperia ottoe)
- Long dash (Polites mystic)
- Peck’s skipper (Polites peckius)
- Tawny-edged skipper (Polites themistocles)
- Crossline skipper (Polites origenes)
- Black dash (Euphyes conspicua)
- Northern broken-dash (Wallengrenia egeremet)
- Little glassywing (Pompeius verna)
- Dun skipper (Euphyes vestris)
- Hobomok skipper (Poanes hobomok)
- Zabulon skipper (Poanes zabulon)
- Mulberry wing (Poanes massasoit)
- Broad-winged skipper (Poanes viator)
- Two-spotted skipper (Euphyes bimacula)
- Dion skipper (Euphyes dion)
- Duke’s skipper (Euphyes dukesi)
- Delaware skipper (Anatrytone logan)
- Dusted skipper (Atrytonopsis hianna)
- Common roadside skipper (Amblyscirtes vialis)
- Pepper-and-salt skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many species of butterflies are found in Michigan?
Approximately 157 different butterfly species have been reported in Michigan. The state’s diverse geography, which includes the Great Lakes region and extensive national forests, provides a wide range of habitats that support this significant variety of species, from fritillaries to emperors and admirals.
Does Michigan have an official state butterfly?
No, Michigan does not have an official state butterfly at this time. While many other states have designated a specific species to represent them, Michigan has not yet formally declared one, despite the presence of many iconic butterflies like the Monarch within its borders.
What are some common brush-footed butterflies in Michigan?
Michigan is home to numerous brush-footed butterflies, which belong to the family Nymphalidae. Commonly spotted species from this group include the Monarch, Viceroy, Red Admiral, Mourning Cloak, and various fritillaries. These butterflies are widespread due to the state’s abundant forest and meadow habitats.
Are Monarch butterflies commonly found in Michigan?
Yes, the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a well-known and commonly found species in Michigan. The state is part of their critical migratory route, and its abundant milkweed plants serve as the essential food source for Monarch caterpillars, making Michigan a vital habitat for their life cycle.
Why does Michigan have such a wide variety of butterflies?
Michigan’s great diversity of butterfly species is due to its varied geography and habitats. The state’s location within the Great Lakes region, combined with its numerous national forests, creates a rich mosaic of ecosystems that support the specific host plants and nectar sources required by many different butterflies.
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. The primary difference is visual: the White Admiral has prominent white bands on its wings, while the Red-spotted Purple subspecies lacks these bands and appears mostly blue-black with red spots.
Can you find the Viceroy butterfly in Michigan?
Yes, the Viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus) is found throughout Michigan. This species is a well-known mimic of the Monarch butterfly, adopting its orange and black coloration to deter predators. Viceroys are often spotted in moist, open areas like near streams, marshes, and lakes.
