Types of Butterflies in North Carolina

This south-eastern US state is home to about 175 species of butterflies, of which most are native species and the rest flutter across the state during migration. The butterflies usually inhabit the piedmont forests, sandhill savannahs, wetlands, mountains, coastal dunes, and pocosins.

The Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the official state butterfly of this state.

Butterflies in North Carolina (NC)

Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)

Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)

  • Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
  • American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
  • Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
  • Olive (Juniper) Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
  • Hessel’s Hairstreak (Callophrys hesseli)
  • Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
  • Early Hairstreak (Erora laeta)
  • White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
  • Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
  • Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
  • Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
  • Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
  • Oak Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius)
  • Edwards’ Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
  • King’s Hairstreak (Satyrium kingi)
  • Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus)
  • Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus)
  • Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)
  • Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
  • Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
  • Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas)
  • Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
  • Appalachian Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor)
  • Holly Azure (Celastrina idella)
  • Dusky Azure (Celastrina nigra)
  • Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
  • Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
  • Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus)

Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)

  • Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea)
  • Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia)
  • Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
  • Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
  • Great Southern White (Ascia monuste)
  • West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis)
  • Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole)
  • Southern Dogface (Colias cesonia)
  • Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
  • Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
  • Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
  • Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe)
  • Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea)
  • Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
  • Barred Yellow (Eurema daira)
  • Little Yellow (Pyrisitia lisa)

Metalmark (Riodinidae)

  • Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)

Swallowtail (Papilionidae)

Skipper (Hesperiidae)

  • Cofaqui Giant-Skipper (Megathymus cofaqui)
  • Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
  • Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
  • Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
  • Confusing Cloudywing (Thorybes confusis)
  • Dorantes Longtail (Urbanus dorantes)
  • Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
  • Golden Banded-Skipper (Autochton cellus)
  • Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae)
  • 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)
  • Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius)
  • Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
  • Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo)
  • Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor)
  • Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)
  • Tropical Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus oileus)
  • Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
  • Zarucco Duskywing (Erynnis zarucco)
  • Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor)
  • Southern Skipperling (Copaeodes minimus)
  • European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
  • Brazilian Skipper (Calpodes ethlius)
  • Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin)
  • Ocola Skipper (Panoquina ocola)
  • Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon)
  • Carolina Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes carolina)
  • Reversed Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes reversa)
  • Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes aesculapius)
  • Common Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes vialis)
  • Dusky Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes alternata)
  • Swarthy Skipper (Nastra lherminier)
  • Eufala Skipper (Lerodea eufala)
  • Clouded Skipper (Lerema accius)
  • Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus)
  • Leonard’s Skipper (Hesperia leonardus)
  • Cobweb Skipper (Hesperia metea)
  • Dotted Skipper (Hesperia attalus)
  • Meske’s Skipper (Hesperia meskei)
  • Indian Skipper (Hesperia sassacus)
  • Peck’s Skipper (Polites peckius)
  • Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)
  • Crossline Skipper (Polites origenes)
  • Long Dash (Polites mystic)
  • Whirlabout (Polites vibex)
  • Southern Broken-Dash (Wallengrenia otho)
  • Northern Broken-Dash (Wallengrenia egeremet)
  • Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna)
  • Sachem (Atalopedes campestris)
  • Arogos Skipper (Atrytone arogos)
  • Byssus Skipper (Problema byssus)
  • Rare Skipper (Problema bulenta)
  • Hobomok Skipper (Poanes hobomok)
  • Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon)
  • Broad-winged Skipper (Poanes viator)
  • Aaron’s Skipper (Poanes aaroni)
  • Yehl Skipper (Poanes yehl)
  • Delaware Skipper (Anatrytone logan)
  • Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka)
  • Berry’s Skipper (Euphyes berryi)
  • Dion Skipper (Euphyes dion)
  • Dukes’ Skipper (Euphyes dukesi)
  • Two-spotted Skipper (Euphyes bimacula)
  • Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris)
  • Dusted Skipper (Atrytonopsis hianna)
  • Crystal Skipper (Atrytonopsis quinteri)
  • Twin-spot Skipper (Oligoria maculata)

Frequently Asked Questions

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The official state butterfly of North Carolina is the Monarch (Danaus plexippus). This iconic species is well-known for its long-distance migration and striking orange and black wings. Its designation highlights its importance to the state’s ecosystem and its widespread presence throughout North Carolina’s diverse habitats.

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Approximately 175 species of butterflies live in North Carolina. This diverse population includes both native species that reside in the state year-round and migratory species that pass through seasonally. The state’s varied geography, from the mountains to the coast, supports this wide range of butterfly life.

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The primary habitats for butterflies in North Carolina are incredibly diverse, reflecting the state’s varied landscape. They commonly inhabit piedmont forests, sandhill savannahs, mountain balds, coastal dunes, and wetlands like pocosins. Each habitat supports different species adapted to its unique plant life and environmental conditions.

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Yes, Monarch butterflies are commonly found in North Carolina, as it is the official state butterfly. The state is part of their crucial migratory route, and they can be seen in gardens, fields, and natural areas, especially during their spring and fall migrations, feeding on milkweed and nectar plants.

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The Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) is a common Brush-Footed butterfly found in North Carolina. Despite its name, it lacks purple spots and instead displays iridescent blue or blue-green wings. It is often seen in wooded areas and along forest edges throughout the state.

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Yes, you can find many species of Gossamer-Winged butterflies (Lycaenidae) in North Carolina. This family includes smaller, often colorful butterflies like the Great Purple Hairstreak, American Copper, and the Harvester. They inhabit various ecosystems across the state, from forests to open fields and gardens.

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North Carolina is home to several types of Fritillary butterflies, which are part of the Brush-Footed family. Common examples found within the state include: * Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) * Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) * Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) * Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)

Common Butterflies

atala

Atala (Eumaeus atala)

Postman

Postman (Heliconius melpomene)

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