Types of Butterflies in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is a small US state that has comparatively fewer species of butterflies than other US states. The main butterfly hotspots are Newport Butterfly Zoo, coastal beaches, and Jerimoth Hills.
Rhode Island has not designated any species as the state butterfly.
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
- Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)
- Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis)
- Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona)
- Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)
- White Admiral (Limenitis camilla)
- Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
- Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
- Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
- Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)
- Harris’ Checkerspot (Chlosyne harrisii)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta)
- Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Northern Pearly-eye (Enodia anthedon)
- Eyed Brown (Satyrodes eurydice)
- Appalachian Brown (Satyrodes appalachia)
- Common Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia)
- Little Wood-Satyr (Megisto cymela)
- Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus)
- Olive (Juniper) Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
- Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadica)
- Oak Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius)
- Edwards’ Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
- Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus)
- Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
- Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
- Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
- Hessel’s Hairstreak (Callophrys hesseli)
- Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)
- Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
- Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus)
- Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
- Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios)
- Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas)
- Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
- Northern Azure (Celastrina lucia)
White and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Mustard White (Pieris oleracea)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea)
- Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
- Little Yellow (Pyrisitia lisa)
Swallowtail (Papilioninae)
- Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
- Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis)
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
- Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
- Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Columbine Duskywing (Erynnis lucilius)
- Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
- Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius)
- Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)
- Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis)
- Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius)
- Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo)
- Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
- Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
- Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
- Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades)
- Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)
- Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)
- Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common butterfly families found in Rhode Island?
The most common butterfly families in Rhode Island are the Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae) and Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae). The Brush-Footed family is the largest group, including well-known species like Monarchs and Fritillaries. Gossamer-Winged butterflies are typically smaller and include Coppers, Hairstreaks, and Blues frequently observed in the state.
Does Rhode Island have an official state butterfly?
No, Rhode Island does not have an official state butterfly. While many other US states have designated a specific species to represent them, Rhode Island has not formally adopted one. This makes it one of the few states in the nation without this particular type of official symbol.
Where are the best locations to see butterflies in Rhode Island?
The best locations to see butterflies in Rhode Island include a mix of natural habitats and dedicated conservatories. Key hotspots for butterfly observation are the Newport Butterfly Zoo, various coastal beaches, and the higher elevation areas around Jerimoth Hill, which all support diverse native butterfly populations.
Are Monarch butterflies found in Rhode Island?
Yes, Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are found in Rhode Island. As a member of the Brush-Footed family, this species is commonly observed in the state, particularly during its migration seasons. They are often seen in meadows and gardens where their host plant, milkweed, is present.
What is a key difference between the Question Mark and Eastern Comma butterflies in RI?
A key difference between the Question Mark and Eastern Comma butterflies is the silver marking on the underside of their hindwings. The Question Mark has a distinct silver mark shaped like a question mark (a dot and a curve), while the Eastern Comma has only a C-shaped curve.
Can you find the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly in Rhode Island?
Yes, the Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) can be found in Rhode Island. This distinctively patterned butterfly is a member of the Brush-Footed family and typically inhabits wet meadows where its host plant, white turtlehead, grows. Its presence is documented among the state’s native Nymphalidae species.
Why are some butterflies in Rhode Island called Brush-Footed?
Butterflies in the Nymphalidae family are called Brush-Footed because their front pair of legs are significantly reduced and covered in brush-like hairs. These legs are not functional for walking and are held up against the body, a defining characteristic for species like Monarchs, Admirals, and Fritillaries.
