Types of Butterflies in New York
New York hosts close to 120 species of butterflies that are vibrant and quite uncommon. Some species like the Red Admiral, Question Mark, American Lady, Painted Lady, Mourning Cloak, Pearl Crescent, Cabbage White, Orange Sulphur, Eastern Tailed-Blue, Silver-Spotted Skipper, and Common Sootywing are only spotted in the urban areas. The main butterfly hotspots in the state are the Van Cortlandt Park, Pelham Bay Park, Inwood Hill Park, Central Park, Jamaica Bay, Prospect Park/ Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Floyd Bennett Field, Tottenville, and Sailor’s Snug Harbor Park.
New York has designated Red Spotted Purple / White Admiral Butterfly (Limenitis arthemis) as its state butterfly.
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- ‘Astyanax‘ Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
- Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)
- Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
- White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis arthemis)
- Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
- Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)
- Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
- Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
- 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)
- California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
- European Peacock (Inachis io)
- Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone)
- 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)
- Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)
- Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
- Tawny Crescent (Phyciodes batesii)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Purplish Copper (Lycaena helloides)
- Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus)
- Bog Copper (Lycaena epixanthe)
- Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
- Hessel’s Hairstreak (Callophrys hesseli)
- Early Hairstreak (Erora laeta)
- White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
- Oak Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius)
- Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
- Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
- Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadica)
- Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus)
- Edwards’ Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
- Olive (Juniper) Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
- Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
- Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)
- Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
- Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus)
- Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
- Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios)
- Bog Elfin (Callophrys lanoraieensis)
- Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)
- Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
- Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas)
- Northern Azure (Celastrina lucia)
- Cherry Gall Azure (Celastrina serotina)
- Appalachian Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor)
- Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
- Melissa Blue (Plebejus melissa)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea)
- Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia)
- Florida White (Appias drusilla)
- Mustard White (Pieris oleracea)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- Western White (Pontia occidentalis)
- West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis)
- Large White (Pieris brassicae)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Southern Dogface (Colias cesonia)
- Pink-edged Sulphur (Colias interior)
- Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe)
- Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea)
- Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole)
- Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
- Little Yellow (Pyrisitia lisa)
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Northern Metalmark (Calephelis borealis)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
- Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis)
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
- Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
- Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
- Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Columbine Duskywing (Erynnis lucilius)
- Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
- Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
- Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
- Golden Banded-Skipper (Autochton cellus)
- Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae)
- 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)
- 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
What is the official state butterfly of New York?
The official state butterfly of New York is the Red Spotted Purple / White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis). This species was designated to represent the state’s diverse insect life. The Red Spotted Purple and White Admiral are actually different forms of the same species, showcasing notable regional variation.
How many species of butterflies are found in New York?
New York is home to approximately 120 different species of butterflies. This diverse population includes a wide range of families, from the common Cabbage White to the vibrant Monarch and the designated state butterfly, the Red Spotted Purple, making the state a rich habitat for these insects.
What are the most common butterflies seen in New York’s urban areas?
The most common butterflies spotted in New York’s urban areas include the Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Mourning Cloak, and Cabbage White. Other frequently seen species are the Eastern Tailed-Blue, Pearl Crescent, and the Silver-Spotted Skipper, which have adapted well to city parks and green spaces.
Where are the best places to see butterflies in New York?
Some of the best places to see butterflies in New York include several major parks and botanical gardens. Top hotspots are Van Cortlandt Park, Central Park, Jamaica Bay, and Prospect Park/Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. These locations provide the necessary habitat and nectar sources for a wide variety of species.
Is the Monarch butterfly found in New York?
Yes, the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is found in New York. It is listed among the Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae) family of butterflies present in the state. New York’s parks and natural areas provide important habitats for Monarchs during their migration and breeding seasons, supporting their populations.
What family of butterflies includes the Mourning Cloak in New York?
The Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) in New York belongs to the Brush-Footed butterfly family, scientifically known as Nymphalidae. This large family also includes other well-known species found in the state, such as the Monarch, Red Admiral, and various Fritillaries, Crescents, and Commas.
Are Painted Lady butterflies found in New York State?
Yes, the Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) is found in New York State. It is specifically mentioned as one of the species commonly spotted in urban areas alongside others like the American Lady and Red Admiral. This species is part of the Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae) family present in the region.
