Types of Butterflies in Tennessee
Among the 140 species of butterflies in Tennessee, the eastern species is more prevalent than the southern and northern species. This southern US state has a diverse geography, ranging from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the east to the lowlands along the Mississippi River in the west providing suitable habitats for butterflies. Some of the common species found in Tennessee include the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Orange Sulphur, Red Admiral, Mourning Cloak, Monarch, Silver-spotted Skipper, and some less spotted species are the Falcate Orangetip, Olympia Marble, Harvester, and Baltimore Checkerspot.
Tennessee has recognized the Zebra Swallowtail (Protographium marcellus) as the state butterfly.
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- ‘Astyanax‘ Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
- Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)
- Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
- Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
- Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)
- Goatweed Leafwing (Anaea andria)
- Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
- Diana (Speyeria diana)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
- Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus)
- Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
- Olive (Juniper) Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
- Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
- Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus)
- Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)
- Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
- Oak Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius)
- Northern’ Southern Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius ontario)
- Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Edwards’ Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
- Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
- Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus)
- Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
- Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
- Early Hairstreak (Erora laeta)
- Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)
- Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas)
- Dusky Azure (Celastrina nigra)
- Appalachian Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor)
- Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
- Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
- Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus)
- Reakirt’s Blue (Echinargus isola)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Southern Dogface (Colias cesonia)
- Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole)
- Little Yellow (Pyrisitia lisa)
- Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- Barred Yellow (Eurema daira)
- Mexican Yellow (Eurema mexicana)
- Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
- Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea)
- West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis)
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)
- Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Cofaqui Giant-Skipper (Megathymus cofaqui)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
What is the official state butterfly of Tennessee?
The official state butterfly of Tennessee is the Zebra Swallowtail (Protographium marcellus). Designated in 1995, this species is known for its distinctive black and white striped pattern. It is commonly found in the moist, wooded lowlands and along river systems throughout the state where its host plant, the pawpaw, grows.
How many species of butterflies are found in Tennessee?
There are approximately 140 different species of butterflies found in Tennessee. The state’s diverse geography, which includes the Blue Ridge Mountains and Mississippi River lowlands, creates a wide range of habitats. This variety supports a significant number of butterfly species, with eastern species being the most prevalent.
What are the most common butterflies seen in Tennessee?
The most common butterflies seen in Tennessee include the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Monarch, Red Admiral, and Silver-spotted Skipper. These species are widespread and adaptable to various habitats found across the state, from gardens and parks to open woodlands. The Orange Sulphur is also frequently spotted in open, sunny areas.
Are Monarch butterflies found in Tennessee?
Yes, Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are found in Tennessee as it lies within their crucial migration corridor. They can be observed during their spring journey north to breed and again in the fall as they travel south to their overwintering sites in Mexico, feeding on nectar-rich flowers.
What are some of the rarest butterflies in Tennessee?
Some of the rarest or less commonly spotted butterflies in Tennessee include the Falcate Orangetip, Olympia Marble, and the Harvester. These species often have very specific habitat or host plant requirements, making them an infrequent sight. The Baltimore Checkerspot is another species that is not commonly encountered.
Which swallowtail butterflies live in Tennessee?
Tennessee is home to several swallowtail butterfly species, most notably the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and the state butterfly, the Zebra Swallowtail. These large, colorful butterflies are a common sight in the state’s diverse woodlands, fields, and garden habitats where their host plants and nectar sources are available.
Why does Tennessee have such a diverse butterfly population?
Tennessee supports a diverse butterfly population primarily because of its varied geography. The state’s landscape ranges from the high-elevation Blue Ridge Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River lowlands in the west. This variety of ecosystems provides the specific host plants and nectar sources required by many different species.
