Types of Butterflies in Pennsylvania
There are about 146 species of butterflies that have been spotted in Pennsylvania, of which 24 have been seen a few times in the state and are considered rare visitors. The butterflies spotted here have vast differences, ranging from the small, brown skipper species with wingspans as little as a half-inch to the tiger swallowtail, which can have a wingspan of about 5 inches. The butterflies typically inhabit the woods of the Appalachian Mountains, lowlands and basins near Great Lakes, Delaware River, and many national forests.
This northeastern state has not designated any species as the 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)
- Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Harris’ Checkerspot (Chlosyne harrisii)
- 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)
- Tawny Crescent (Phyciodes batesii)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus)
- American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Bog Copper (Lycaena epixanthe)
- Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
- Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Edwards’ Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
- White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
- Oak Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius)
- Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
- Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
- Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadica)
- Olive (Juniper) Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
- Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
- Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus)
- Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)
- Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
- Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios)
- Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus)
- Early Hairstreak (Erora laeta)
- Northern’ Southern Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius ontario)
- Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)
- Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
- Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas)
- Eastern Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium exilis)
- Appalachian Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor)
- Holly Azure (Celastrina idella)
- Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
- Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus)
- Melissa Blue (Plebejus melissa)
- Northern Azure (Celastrina lucia)
- Dusky Azure (Celastrina nigra)
- Cherry Gall Azure (Celastrina serotina)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia)
- Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea)
- West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Southern Dogface (Colias cesonia)
- Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole)
- Little Yellow (Pyrisitia lisa)
- Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- Pink-edged Sulphur (Colias interior)
- Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea)
- 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)
- Confusing Cloudywing (Thorybes confusis)
- 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)
- Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)
- Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
- Zarucco Duskywing (Erynnis zarucco)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many butterfly species are found in Pennsylvania?
Approximately 146 different butterfly species have been recorded in Pennsylvania. This total includes both resident populations and migratory species. Of these, about 24 are considered rare or infrequent visitors, making their sightings noteworthy for lepidopterists and nature enthusiasts tracking regional biodiversity across the state.
What is the largest butterfly in Pennsylvania?
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is one of the largest and most recognizable butterflies found in Pennsylvania. Its wingspan can measure up to five inches across, making it a prominent species. This butterfly is commonly seen in various habitats, from open woodlands to suburban gardens throughout the state.
Where can I find butterflies in Pennsylvania?
You can find butterflies in diverse habitats across Pennsylvania, including the woodlands of the Appalachian Mountains and lowlands near the Great Lakes. The basins along the Delaware River and the state’s many national forests also serve as prime environments for a wide variety of butterfly species.
Is the Monarch butterfly common in Pennsylvania?
Yes, the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a common and well-known species found in Pennsylvania. As a member of the Brush-Footed family, it is frequently seen during its migration in fields, meadows, and gardens where its host plant, milkweed, is available for its caterpillars to feed on.
Does Pennsylvania have an official state butterfly?
No, Pennsylvania does not have an officially designated state butterfly. While many states have selected a specific species to represent them, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has not yet named an official state insect or butterfly, despite the rich diversity of species found within its borders.
What types of Brush-Footed butterflies live in PA?
Pennsylvania is home to numerous Brush-Footed butterflies (Nymphalidae), including the Monarch, Viceroy, and Red-spotted Purple. Other common examples from this large family are the Great Spangled Fritillary, Mourning Cloak, Painted Lady, and various species of Commas, Crescents, and Checkerspots found in local ecosystems.
Are there rare butterfly species in Pennsylvania?
Yes, there are rare butterfly species in Pennsylvania, with about 24 species classified as infrequent visitors. These butterflies are not established residents and have only been spotted a few times within state lines. Their presence is often of special interest to researchers tracking species distribution and range.
