Types of Butterflies in Oklahoma
This US state is home to nearly 180 species of butterfly that include all the six butterfly families. Oklahoma designated the Black Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio polyxenesis) as the official state butterfly since 1996. This species is highly abundant in Oklahoma from May to October. An adult butterfly species fed on nectar from flowers, especially red clover, milkweed, and thistles and found in open areas like fields, suburbs, marshes.
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- ‘Astyanax‘ Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
- California Sister (Adelpha bredowii)
- Common Mestra (Mestra amymone)
- Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)
- Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
- Weidemeyer’s Admiral (Limenitis weidemeyerii)
- Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
- Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)
- Diana (Speyeria diana)
- Edwards’ Fritillary (Speyeria edwardsii)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
- Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- Queen (Danaus gilippus)
- American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton)
- Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacinia)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Dotted Checkerspot (Poladryas minuta)
- Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
- Field Crescent (Phyciodes pulchellus)
- Fulvia Checkerspot (Thessalia fulvia)
- Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone)
- Graphic Crescent (Phyciodes graphica)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Painted Crescent (Phyciodes picta)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Phaon Crescent (Phyciodes phaon)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)
- Texan Crescent (Phyciodes texana)
- Variable Checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)
- West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- American copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Gray copper (Lycaena dione)
- Bronze copper (Lycaena hyllus)
- Purplish copper (Lycaena helloides)
- Great purple hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
- Soapberry hairstreak (Phaeostrymon alcestis)
- Coral hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Behr’s hairstreak (Satyrium behrii)
- Edwards’ hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
- Banded hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
- Striped hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
- Southern hairstreak (Fixsenia favonius)
- Frosted elfin (Callophrys irus)
- Henry’s elfin (Callophrys henrici)
- Eastern pine elfin (Callophrys niphon)
- Thicket hairstreak (Callophrys spinetorum)
- Juniper hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
- White M hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
- Gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- Red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
- Spring azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Western pygmy-blue (Brephidium exile)
- Cassius blue (Leptotes cassius)
- Marine blue (Leptotes marina)
- Reakirt’s blue (Echinargus isola)
- Eastern tailed-blue (Cupido comyntas)
- Spring azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Summer azure (Celastrina neglecta)
- Silvery blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
- Melissa blue (Plebejus melissa)
- Lupine blue (Icaricia lupini)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Florida white (Appias drusilla)
- Becker’s white (Pontia beckerii)
- Spring white (Pontia sisymbrii)
- Checkered white (Pontia protodice)
- Cabbage white (Pieris rapae)
- Large marble (Euchloe ausonides)
- Olympia marble (Euchloe olympia)
- Falcate orangetip (Anthocharis midea)
- Clouded sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Southern dogface (Zerene cesonia)
- White angled-sulphur (Anteos clorinde)
- Cloudless sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- Orange-barred sulphur (Phoebis philea)
- Large orange sulphur (Phoebis agarithe)
- Lyside sulphur (Kricogonia lyside)
- Barred yellow (Eurema daira)
- Mexican yellow (Eurema mexicana)
- Little yellow (Eurema lisa)
- Sleepy orange (Eurema nicippe)
- Dainty sulphur (Nathalis iole)
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Little metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
- Northern metalmark (Calephelis borealis)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
- Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
- Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
- Thoas Swallowtail (Papilio thoas)
- Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata)
- Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Strecker’s Giant-Skipper (Megathymus streckeri)
- Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
- Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
- Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
- Common Streaky-Skipper (Celotes nessus)
- Confusing Cloudywing (Thorybes confusis)
- 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)
- Rocky Mountain Duskywing (Erynnis telemachus)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official state butterfly of Oklahoma?
The official state butterfly of Oklahoma is the Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenesis), which was designated in 1996. This species is highly abundant across the state, particularly in open areas like fields and suburbs. It is a prominent member of the swallowtail family found throughout the region.
How many species of butterflies are found in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma is home to nearly 180 different species of butterflies. This rich biodiversity includes representatives from all six major butterfly families, making the state a significant area for lepidopterists and nature enthusiasts. The variety ranges from the Monarch to numerous types of Fritillaries, Admirals, and Checkerspots.
When is the best time to see Black Swallowtail butterflies in Oklahoma?
The best time to see the Black Swallowtail butterfly in Oklahoma is from May through October. During these warmer months, the species is highly abundant and active. Adults can be observed flying, feeding on nectar from flowers like milkweed and red clover, and laying eggs in open habitats.
Are Monarch butterflies commonly found in Oklahoma?
Yes, the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is found in Oklahoma and is a member of the Brush-Footed butterfly family. The state is a critical part of the Monarch’s famous annual migration corridor, making them a familiar sight as they travel through during their journey north and south.
What do adult Black Swallowtail butterflies in Oklahoma eat?
Adult Black Swallowtail butterflies in Oklahoma primarily feed on the nectar from various flowers. They are especially drawn to plants like red clover, milkweed, and thistles. This liquid diet provides the essential sugars and energy required for flight, mating, and other daily activities in their open habitats.
What types of habitats do Oklahoma’s Black Swallowtail butterflies prefer?
Oklahoma’s Black Swallowtail butterflies prefer open area habitats that receive plenty of sunlight. These environments include fields, suburban gardens, parks, and marshes where their preferred nectar-producing flowers are abundant. They are generally not found in deep woods, favoring these sunny, flower-rich locations for feeding and reproduction.
What are some common Brush-Footed butterflies in Oklahoma?
Some common Brush-Footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) in Oklahoma include the Monarch, Viceroy, and various Fritillary species. This large family also features the Painted Lady, Red Admiral, and Question Mark butterflies. They are identifiable by their reduced front legs, which they use for tasting rather than walking.
