Types of Butterflies in New Hampshire
With about 125 species, New Hampshire has a comparatively lesser variety of butterflies than some of the other U.S. states. The most popular places where butterflies are spotted include the White Mountain National Forest, parts of the Appalachian Trail, valleys, streams, and lakes. These species feed on nectar from plants like Coneflower, bee balm, butterfly weed, red valerian, heliotrope, nasturtium, and butterfly bush.
The state has designated Karner blue (Lycaeides melissa) as the state butterfly in 1992.
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
- Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)
- Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
- White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis arthemis)
- Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
- Arctic Fritillary (Boloria chariclea)
- Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona)
- Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)
- Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Harris’ Checkerspot (Chlosyne harrisii)
- Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis)
- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Satyr Comma (Polygonia satyrus)
- Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)
- Tawny Crescent (Phyciodes batesii)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus)
- Bog Copper (Lycaena epixanthe)
- Olive (Juniper) Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
- Hessel’s Hairstreak (Callophrys hesseli)
- Early Hairstreak (Erora laeta)
- White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
- Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
- Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
- Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadica)
- Edwards’ Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
- Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)
- Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
- Western Pine Elfin (Callophrys eryphon)
- Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus)
- Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
- Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios)
- Bog Elfin (Callophrys lanoraieensis)
- Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas)
- Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
- Northern Azure (Celastrina lucia)
- Cherry Gall Azure (Celastrina serotina)
- Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
- Melissa Blue (Plebejus melissa)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Mustard White (Pieris oleracea)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Southern Dogface (Colias cesonia)
- Pink-edged Sulphur (Colias interior)
- Little Yellow (Pyrisitia lisa)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
- Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis)
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
- Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Columbine Duskywing (Erynnis lucilius)
- Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
- Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
- Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades)
- Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius)
- Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)
- 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)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many butterfly species are in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire is home to approximately 125 different butterfly species. This represents a more limited variety compared to some other U.S. states. These species are distributed across diverse habitats, from the White Mountain National Forest to local valleys, contributing to the state’s overall biodiversity.
What is the official state butterfly of New Hampshire?
The official state butterfly of New Hampshire is the Karner blue (Lycaeides melissa). This species was formally designated in 1992. The Karner blue is a small, gossamer-winged butterfly known for its delicate silvery-blue wings, representing the state’s unique and protected native wildlife.
Where are the best places to see butterflies in New Hampshire?
The best places to see butterflies in New Hampshire include large natural areas like the White Mountain National Forest and parts of the Appalachian Trail. You can also frequently spot various species in local habitats such as valleys, along streams, and around lakes where nectar-rich plants are abundant.
What plants attract butterflies in New Hampshire?
Plants that attract butterflies in New Hampshire offer essential nectar sources. Key plants include coneflower, bee balm, butterfly weed, and butterfly bush. Planting these flowers can help support local populations by providing a reliable food source for species like Monarchs, Fritillaries, and American Ladies throughout their seasons.
Are Monarch butterflies found in New Hampshire?
Yes, Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are found in New Hampshire. They are a member of the Brush-Footed butterfly family (Nymphalidae) present in the state. These iconic insects can be spotted in meadows and open areas, particularly where their host plant, milkweed, is available for their caterpillars.
What types of Fritillary butterflies live in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire is home to several types of Fritillary butterflies, which are part of the Brush-Footed family. Commonly observed species include the Great Spangled Fritillary, Aphrodite Fritillary, Atlantis Fritillary, and Meadow Fritillary. These butterflies are typically identified by their vibrant orange and black checkered wing patterns.
Is the Mourning Cloak butterfly native to New Hampshire?
Yes, the Mourning Cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) is a native species found in New Hampshire. This distinctive butterfly is known for its dark, purplish-black wings edged with a bright yellow border. It is one of the state’s earliest butterflies to appear in the spring, often before winter’s end.
