Types of Butterflies in Missouri

The Midwestern U.S. state of Missouri, with the Ozark Mountains, the lowlands along Missouri and Mississippi River, the Osage and Northern Plains, is home to about 190 species of butterflies. Mostly a mix of the midwestern and southern species occurs here. Missouri does not have any designated state butterfly.

Butterflies in Missouri (MO)

Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)

Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)

  • Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
  • American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
  • Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus)
  • Gray Copper (Lycaena dione)
  • Purplish Copper (Lycaena helloides)
  • Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
  • Olive (Juniper) Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
  • Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
  • Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadica)
  • Oak Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius)
  • Edwards’ Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
  • Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus)
  • Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
  • Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
  • Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
  • White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
  • Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
  • Soapberry Hairstreak (Phaeostrymon alcestis)
  • Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)
  • Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
  • Western Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium exilis)
  • Western Tailed-Blue (Cupido amyntula)
  • Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)
  • Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas)
  • Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
  • Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
  • Appalachian Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor)
  • Dusky Azure (Celastrina nigra)
  • Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
  • Melissa Blue (Plebejus melissa)
  • Reakirt’s Blue (Echinargus isola)
  • Miami Blue (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri)

Whites and Yellows (Pieridae)

  • Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea)
  • Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia)
  • Florida White (Appias drusilla)
  • Pine White (Neophasia menapia)
  • Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
  • Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
  • Great Southern White (Ascia monuste)
  • Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
  • Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
  • Southern Dogface (Colias cesonia)
  • Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe)
  • Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea)
  • Lyside Sulphur (Kricogonia lyside)
  • Barred Yellow (Eurema daira)
  • Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
  • Mexican Yellow (Eurema mexicana)
  • Little Yellow (Pyrisitia lisa)
  • Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole)

Metalmark (Riodinidae)

  • Northern Metalmark (Calephelis borealis)

Swallowtail (Papilionidae)

Skipper (Hesperiidae)

  • Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
  • Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
  • Confusing Cloudywing (Thorybes confusis)
  • Dorantes Longtail (Urbanus dorantes)
  • Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
  • 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)
  • Outis Skipper (Cogia outis)
  • Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
  • Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo)
  • Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)
  • Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)

Frequently Asked Questions

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Missouri is home to approximately 190 different species of butterflies. This significant biodiversity results from the state’s varied habitats, which include the Ozark Mountains and Mississippi River lowlands. The butterfly population is a mix of species commonly found in both midwestern and southern regions of the United States.

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No, the state of Missouri does not have a designated official state butterfly. Despite its rich diversity of nearly 200 butterfly species, including well-known ones like the Monarch and various fritillaries, no single species has been legislatively named to represent the state, unlike many other U.S. states.

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Some of the most common brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) in Missouri include the Monarch, Viceroy, and Painted Lady. This large family also features frequently sighted species like the Red-spotted Purple, Common Buckeye, Great Spangled Fritillary, and Question Mark, making it one of the most visible groups in the state.

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Yes, the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is found in Missouri. As a member of the Brush-Footed butterfly family, the Monarch is a well-known migratory species that travels through the state. It is commonly seen in Missouri’s fields, gardens, and prairies where its host plant, milkweed, is present.

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The primary difference is the small silver mark on the underside of their hindwings. The Question Mark butterfly has a mark shaped like a question mark (a curve with a separate dot), while the Eastern Comma has a mark resembling a comma or C-shape, lacking the separate dot.

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Missouri is home to several types of hairstreak butterflies, which belong to the Gossamer-Winged family (Lycaenidae). Notable species found in the state include the Great Purple Hairstreak, Olive (Juniper) Hairstreak, and Coral Hairstreak. These small butterflies are recognized by the delicate, hair-like tails on their hindwings.

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The Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) is considered a regular immigrant to Missouri but is not a permanent resident. This bright orange butterfly migrates northward from the southern U.S. during warmer months. While it can be seen in Missouri, especially late in the season, it cannot survive the state’s winters.

Common Butterflies

atala

Atala (Eumaeus atala)

Postman

Postman (Heliconius melpomene)

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