Types of Butterflies in Virginia
About 102 butterfly species are observed in this south-eastern US state. Among them, a wide variety of species inhabit the Applachian Mountains and coastal areas only. These butterflies can be frequently spotted between mid-April and mid-October when the weather is warm.
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) was designated as the official state butterfly of Virginia in 1991.
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)
- Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
- ‘Astyanax‘ Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
- White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis arthemis)
- Ruddy Daggerwing (Marpesia petreus)
- Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
- Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)
- Goatweed Leafwing (Anaea andria)
- Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
- Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis)
- Diana (Speyeria diana)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)
- Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
- Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona)
- Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonius)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta)
- Phaon Crescent (Phyciodes phaon)
- Tawny Crescent (Phyciodes batesii)
- Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)
- White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
- Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
- Southern (Oak) Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius)
- Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
- Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)
- Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
- Olive (Juniper) Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
- White “M” Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
- Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas)
- Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
- Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Appalachian Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- Little Yellow (Eurema lisa)
- Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
- West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis)
- Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia)
- Pink-edged Sulphur (Colias interior)
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)
- Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
- Columbine Duskywing (Erynnis lucilius)
- Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius)
- Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)
- Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo)
- Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
- Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius)
- Zarucco Duskywing (Erynnis zarucco)
- Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
- Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis)
- Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
- Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae)
- Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)
- Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)
- Confusing Cloudywing (Thorybes confusis)
- Dorantes Longtail (Urbanus dorantes)
- Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)
- Golden Banded-Skipper (Autochton cellus)
- Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
- Hayhurst’s Scallopwing (Staphylus hayhurstii)
- Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official state butterfly of Virginia?
The official state butterfly of Virginia is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). Designated in 1991, this large and recognizable species features bright yellow wings with black tiger-like stripes. It is commonly found throughout the state in woodlands, fields, and suburban gardens during the warmer months.
When is the best time to see butterflies in Virginia?
The best time to see butterflies in Virginia is from mid-April to mid-October. During this period, warmer weather supports the life cycles of approximately 102 different species observed in the state. Peak activity for spotting and observing these insects typically occurs on sunny, calm days in various habitats.
Are Monarch butterflies commonly found in Virginia?
Yes, Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are commonly found in Virginia. As part of the Brush-Footed butterfly family, this iconic species can be seen throughout the state during its breeding season and its famous fall migration. They rely on milkweed plants, which are prevalent in Virginia’s landscapes.
What types of Fritillary butterflies live in Virginia?
Virginia is home to several types of Fritillary butterflies, including the Great Spangled, Regal, Gulf, and Meadow Fritillary. These members of the Nymphalidae family are known for their vibrant orange and black checkered patterns on their upper wings and distinctive silvery spots on their undersides.
How can you identify a Question Mark butterfly in Virginia?
A Question Mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis) is identified by the small, silvery mark on its hindwing underside that resembles a question mark. Its upper wings are reddish-orange with black spots and have a jagged, irregular edge. This species is part of the Brush-Footed butterfly family.
Where are the most diverse butterfly populations found in Virginia?
The most diverse butterfly populations in Virginia are typically found in the Appalachian Mountains and the state’s coastal areas. These distinct geographical regions provide a wide variety of habitats, from high-elevation meadows to coastal plains, supporting numerous species that are specialized to those specific environments.
What is the difference between a Viceroy and Monarch butterfly in Virginia?
The main difference is a black line that crosses the Viceroy’s hindwings, which the Monarch lacks. While both have a similar orange and black pattern, the Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) is a mimic of the toxic Monarch. Viceroys are also typically slightly smaller than their Monarch counterparts.
