Types of Butterflies in Mississippi

About 147 butterfly species colonize the US state of Mississippi, of which some are common and found across the state, while others are quite rare. All the butterflies require host plants where they lay eggs. While the caterpillars feed on host plants, adults eat nectar from flowering plants.

The most common species is the Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus), which occurs throughout Mississippi and being the state-butterfly.

Butterflies in Mississippi (MS)

Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)

Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)

  • Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
  • Bronze Copper (Hyllolycaena hyllus)
  • Atala (Eumaeus atala)
  • Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
  • Mopsus Butterfly (Harkenclenus titus)
  • Falacer Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus )
  • King’s Hairstreak (Satyrium kingi)
  • Southern Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
  • Red-Banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
  • Dusky Blue Hairstreak (Calycopis isobeon)
  • Olive Hairstreak (Mitoura grynea)
  • Southern Brown Elfin (Incisalia augustinu)
  • Henry’s Elfln (Incisalia henrici)
  • Eastern Pine Elfin (Incisalia niphon)
  • Northern Hairstreak (Fixsenia Ontario)
  • White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
  • Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus melinus)
  • Eastern Pygmy Blue (Brephidium isophthalma pseudofea)
  • Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)
  • Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus antibubastus)
  • Reakirt’s Blue (Hemiargus isola alce)
  • Eastern Tailed Blue (Everes comyntas comyntas)
  • Spring Azure (Celastrina argiolus ladon)

Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)

  • Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
  • Cabbage Butterfiy (Pieris rapae)
  • Great Southern White (Ascia monuste phileta)
  • Falcate Orange Tip (Paramidea midea midea)
  • Clouded Sulfur (Colias philodice philodice)
  • Alfalfa Butterfly (Colias eurytheme)
  • Dog Face (Zerene cesonia cesonia)
  • Yellow Brimstone (Anteos maerula)
  • Cloudless Sulfur (Phoebis sennae eubule)
  • Orange-Barred Sulfur (Phoebis philea philea)
  • Barred Yellow (Eurema daira daira)
  • Mexican Sulfur (Eurema mexicanum)
  • Little Sulfur (Eurema lisa)
  • Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
  • Dainty Sulfur (Nathalis iole)

Metalmark (Riodinidae)

  • Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)

Swallowtail (Papilionidae)

Skipper (Hesperiidae)

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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The official state butterfly of Mississippi is the Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus). This species is considered common and is distributed throughout the entire state. Its lifecycle is dependent on host plants like spicebush and sassafras, where the female lays her eggs and the caterpillars later feed.

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Approximately 147 species of butterflies are found in Mississippi. This number includes a wide range of butterflies, from common species distributed across the state to rarer ones with more specific habitats. Each species relies on particular host plants for reproduction and nectar sources for adult sustenance.

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Yes, Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are native to Mississippi and are listed among the state’s Brush-Footed butterfly species. These well-known butterflies are a significant part of the local ecosystem, relying on milkweed plants as the exclusive host for their caterpillars during their complex life cycle.

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Adult butterflies in Mississippi primarily eat nectar from flowering plants. This sugary liquid provides the energy needed for flight, mating, and other essential activities. While their caterpillar stage consumes leaves from specific host plants, the adult butterfly’s diet consists solely of liquids sipped through its proboscis.

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Host plants are essential for butterflies in Mississippi because they are the only food source for the caterpillar stage. Female butterflies lay their eggs on these specific plants, ensuring their offspring have the necessary nutrition to grow and develop into adults. Without host plants, the butterfly life cycle cannot continue.

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Several Fritillary butterfly species live in Mississippi, including the Gulf Fritillary, Great Spangled Fritillary, and Variegated Fritillary. These are members of the Nymphalidae family, also known as brush-footed butterflies. Each species has distinct markings and relies on specific host plants like passionflower or violets.

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A common emperor butterfly found in Mississippi is the Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis). This species is closely tied to its host plant, the hackberry tree, where its caterpillars feed. The Tawny Emperor is another related species that can also be observed within the state’s diverse habitats.

Common Butterflies

atala

Atala (Eumaeus atala)

Postman

Postman (Heliconius melpomene)

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