Types of Butterflies in Oregon
This north-western coastal US state is home to approximately 150 species of butterfly. The places in Oregon where you can frequently observe most of these species include the marine terrace and coastal headland salt-spray meadows (e.g., Cascade Head, Bray Point Rock Creek-Big Creek and portions of Del Norte sites), dunes situated at Long Beach Peninsula, Clatsop Plains, and the remainder of Del Norte.
The state has designated Oregon Swallowtails (Papilio oregonius) as the state butterfly.
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- California Sister (Adelpha bredowii)
- Lorquin’s Admiral (Limenitis lorquini)
- Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
- Weidemeyer’s Admiral (Limenitis weidemeyerii)
- Callippe Fritillary (Speyeria callippe)
- Coronis Fritillary (Speyeria coronis)
- Great Basin Fritillary (Speyeria egleis)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Hydaspe Fritillary (Speyeria hydaspe)
- Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona)
- Mormon Fritillary (Speyeria mormonia)
- Northwestern Fritillary (Speyeria hesperis)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- Queen (Danaus gilippus)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- California Crescent (Phyciodes orseis)
- California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Edith’s Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha)
- European Peacock (Inachis io)
- Field Crescent (Phyciodes pulchellus)
- Gillette’s Checkerspot (Euphydryas gillettii)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis)
- Hoffmann’s Checkerspot (Chlosyne hoffmanni)
- Leanira Checkerspot (Thessalia leanira)
- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Mylitta Crescent (Phyciodes mylitta)
- Northern Checkerspot (Chlosyne palla)
- Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Pale Crescent (Phyciodes pallida)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Sagebrush Checkerspot (Chlosyne acastus)
- Satyr Comma (Polygonia satyrus)
- Variable Checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)
- West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Ruddy Copper (Lycaena rubidus)
- Purplish Copper (Lycaena helloides)
- Tailed Copper (Lycaena arota)
- Lustrous Copper (Lycaena cuprea)
- Great Copper (Lycaena xanthoides)
- Edith’s Copper (Lycaena editha)
- Gorgon Copper (Lycaena gorgon)
- Blue Copper (Lycaena heteronea)
- Lilac-bordered Copper (Lycaena nivalis)
- Mariposa Copper (Lycaena mariposa)
- Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
- Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- Thicket Hairstreak (Callophrys spinetorum)
- Golden Hairstreak (Habrodais grunus)
- Olive (Juniper) Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
- Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
- Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios)
- Moss’ Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
- Western Pine Elfin (Callophrys eryphon)
- Johnson’s Hairstreak (Callophrys johnsoni)
- Western Green Hairstreak (Callophrys affinis)
- Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak (Callophrys sheridanii)
- Nelson’s Hairstreak (Callophrys nelsoni)
- California Hairstreak (Satyrium californica)
- Sylvan Hairstreak (Satyrium sylvinum)
- Gold-hunter’s Hairstreak (Satyrium auretorum)
- Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak (Satyrium tetra)
- Hedgerow Hairstreak (Satyrium saepium)
- Behr’s Hairstreak (Satyrium behrii)
- Sooty Hairstreak (Satyrium fuliginosum)
- Sagebrush Sooty Hairstreak (Satyrium semiluna)
- Columbian Blue (Euphilotes columbiae)
- Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)
- Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Echo Azure (Celastrina echo)
- Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas)
- Western Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium exilis)
- Western Tailed-Blue (Cupido amyntula)
- Arrowhead Blue (Glaucopsyche piasus)
- Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
- Pumice Dotted-Blue (Philotiella leona)
- Western Square-dotted Blue (Euphilotes battoides)
- Intermediate Dotted-Blue (Euphilotes intermedia)
- Pacific Dotted-Blue (Euphilotes enoptes)
- Rocky Mountain Dotted-Blue (Euphilotes ancilla)
- Northern Blue (Plebejus idas)
- Anna’s Blue (Plebejus anna)
- Melissa Blue (Plebejus melissa)
- Lupine Blue (Plebejus lupini)
- Greenish Blue (Icaricia saepiolus)
- Shasta Blue (Icaricia shasta)
- Acmon Blue (Icaricia acmon)
- Boisduval’s Blue (Aricia icarioides)
- Sierra Nevada Blue (Polyommatus golgus)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Pacific Orangetip (Anthocharis sara)
- Stella Orangetip (Anthocharis stella)
- Gray Marble (Anthocharis lanceolata)
- Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides)
- Desert Marble (Euchloe lotta)
- California Marble (Euchloe hyantis)
- Pine White (Neophasia menapia)
- Margined White (Pieris marginalis)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Becker’s White (Pontia beckerii)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- Western White (Pontia occidentalis)
- Spring White (Pontia sisymbrii)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- Pink-edged Sulphur (Colias interior)
- Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur (Colias alexandra)
- Western Sulphur (Colias occidentalis)
- Pelidne Sulphur (Colias pelidne)
- Tailed Orange (Eurema proterpia)
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Mormon Metalmark (Apodemia mormo)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Clodius Parnassian (Parnassius clodius)
- Rocky Mountain Parnassian (Parnassius smintheus)
- Oregon Swallowtail (Papilio oregonius)
- Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon)
- Indra Swallowtail (Papilio indra)
- Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
- Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata)
- Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Afranius Duskywing (Erynnis afranius)
- Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
- Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
- Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
- Mexican Cloudywing (Thorybes mexicana)
- Mohave Sootywing (Hesperopsis libya)
- Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)
- Northern White-Skipper (Heliopetes ericetorum)
- Pacuvius Duskywing (Erynnis pacuvius)
- Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius)
- Propertius Duskywing (Erynnis propertius)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
- Two-banded Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus ruralis)
- Western Cloudywing (Erynnis telemachus)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official state butterfly of Oregon?
The official state butterfly of Oregon is the Oregon Swallowtail (Papilio oregonius). Designated in 1979, this species is native to the Pacific Northwest and is commonly found in the dry, sagebrush canyons of the Columbia River and its tributaries, reflecting the state’s unique inland ecosystems.
How many species of butterfly live in Oregon?
Approximately 150 species of butterfly live in Oregon. This significant biodiversity is supported by the state’s varied habitats, which range from coastal salt-spray meadows and dunes to inland forests and high-desert sagebrush steppe. This number represents the currently documented species within the state’s borders.
Where are the best places to see butterflies in Oregon?
The best places to see butterflies in Oregon are often in coastal habitats. Key locations include the marine terrace and salt-spray meadows at sites like Cascade Head and Bray Point, as well as the dune systems of the Long Beach Peninsula and Clatsop Plains, which support diverse populations.
Are Monarch butterflies found in Oregon?
Yes, Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are found in Oregon as part of the western migrating population. They can be observed across the state, particularly in open areas with abundant milkweed, which is the essential host plant for their caterpillars, and various nectar sources for the adult butterflies.
What are Brush-Footed butterflies in Oregon?
Brush-Footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) are the largest family of butterflies in Oregon. They are named for their reduced front pair of legs, which are covered in brush-like hairs and are not used for walking. This diverse group includes species like Admirals, Fritillaries, Checkerspots, and Monarchs.
What types of Fritillary butterflies live in Oregon?
Oregon is home to many Fritillary butterfly species, which are typically medium-to-large and orange with black markings. Some common types found in the state include the Great Spangled Fritillary, Coronis Fritillary, Northwestern Fritillary, and Mormon Fritillary, each adapted to specific local habitats and elevations.
How can you identify a Red Admiral butterfly in Oregon?
You can identify a Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) by its distinct, dark brownish-black wings. A prominent reddish-orange band cuts across the forewings, which also have white spots near the tips. The hindwings feature a similar reddish-orange border, making this species easily recognizable in gardens and woodlands.
