Types of Butterflies in Washington
The state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States is home to about 150 species of butterflies due to its diverse geography. Among the numerous butterfly species, about 20 are found in the Cascade Mountain region, while the others are spotted in the lowlands and basins near Columbia River, lakes, national forests, and coastal beaches.
This state has not yet designated any species as a state butterfly.
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- California Sister ( Adelpha bredowii )
- Lorquin’s Admiral ( Limenitis lorquini )
- Red-spotted Purple ( Limenitis arthemis )
- Viceroy ( Limenitis archippus )
- White Admiral ( Limenitis arthemis arthemis )
- Arctic Fritillary (Boloria chariclea)
- Astarte Fritillary (Boloria astarte)
- Freija Fritillary ( Boloria freija)
- Pacific Fritillary (Boloria epithore)
- Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Meadow Fritillary ( Boloria bellona )
- Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis)
- Callippe Fritillary (Speyeria callippe)
- Coronis Fritillary (Speyeria coronis)
- Great Basin Fritillary (Speyeria egleis)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Hydaspe Fritillary (Speyeria hydaspe)
- Mormon Fritillary (Speyeria mormonia)
- Northwestern Fritillary (Speyeria hesperis)
- Zerene Fritillary (Speyeria zerene)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- Queen (Danaus gilippus)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis)
- Satyr Comma (Polygonia satyrus)
- Hoffmann’s Checkerspot (Chlosyne hoffmanni)
- Northern Checkerspot (Chlosyne palla)
- Sagebrush Checkerspot (Chlosyne acastus)
- Mylitta Crescent (Phyciodes mylitta)
- Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta)
- Pale Crescent (Phyciodes pallida)
- Field Crescent (Phyciodes pulchellus)
- Variable Checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)
- Edith’s Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha)
- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Lustrous Copper (Lycaena cuprea)
- Ruddy Copper (Lycaena rubidus)
- Purplish Copper (Lycaena helloides)
- Blue Copper (Lycaena heteronea)
- Edith’s Copper (Lycaena editha)
- Lilac-bordered Copper (Lycaena nivalis)
- Mariposa Copper (Lycaena mariposa)
- Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak (Callophrys sheridanii)
- Western Green Hairstreak (Callophrys affinis)
- Nelson’s Hairstreak (Callophrys nelsoni)
- Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
- Coastal Green Hairstreak (Callophrys dumetorum)
- Thicket Hairstreak (Callophrys spinetorum)
- Barry’s Hairstreak (Callophrys rosneri)
- Johnson’s Hairstreak (Callophrys johnsoni)
- Sylvan Hairstreak (Satyrium sylvinum)
- Behr’s Hairstreak (Satyrium behrii)
- Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- California Hairstreak (Satyrium californica)
- Sooty Hairstreak (Satyrium fuliginosum)
- Sagebrush Sooty Hairstreak (Satyrium semiluna)
- Hedgerow Hairstreak (Satyrium saepium)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- Golden Hairstreak (Habrodais grunus)
- Columbian Blue (Euphilotes columbiae)
- Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
- Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios)
- Western Pine Elfin (Callophrys eryphon)
- Moss’ Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
- Western Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium exilis)
- Western Tailed-Blue (Cupido amyntula)
- Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas)
- Northern Azure (Celastrina lucia)
- Echo Azure (Celastrina echo)
- Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
- Arrowhead Blue (Glaucopsyche piasus)
- Western Square-dotted Blue (Euphilotes battoides)
- Rocky Mountain Dotted-Blue (Euphilotes ancilla)
- Pacific Dotted-Blue (Euphilotes enoptes)
- Melissa Blue (Plebejus melissa)
- Reakirt’s Blue (Echinargus isola)
- Greenish Blue (Icaricia saepiolus)
- Acmon Blue (Icaricia acmon)
- Boisduval’s Blue (Aricia icarioides)
- Lupine Blue (Plebejus lupini)
- Northern Blue (Plebejus idas)
- Anna’s Blue (Plebejus anna)
- Arctic Blue (Agriades glandon)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Stella Orangetip (Anthocharis stella)
- Pacific Orangetip (Anthocharis sara)
- Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides)
- Desert Marble (Euchloe lotta)
- Pine White (Neophasia menapia)
- Margined White (Pieris marginalis)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- Becker’s White (Pontia beckerii)
- Western White (Pontia occidentalis)
- Spring White (Pontia sisymbrii)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Western Sulphur (Colias occidentalis)
- Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur (Colias alexandra)
- Labrador Sulphur (Colias nastes)
- Pink-edged Sulphur (Colias interior)
- Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole)
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Mormon Metalmark (Apodemia mormo)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Clodius Parnassian (Parnassius clodius)
- Rocky Mountain Parnassian (Parnassius smintheus)
- Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon)
- Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis)
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
- Indra Swallowtail (Papilio indra)
- Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
- Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon)
- Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata)
- Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Afranius Duskywing (Erynnis afranius)
- Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
- Pacuvius Duskywing (Erynnis pacuvius)
- Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius)
- Propertius Duskywing (Erynnis propertius)
- Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
- Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae)
- Two-banded Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus ruralis)
- Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
- Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)
- Northern White-Skipper (Heliopetes ericetorum)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many butterfly species are found in Washington state?
Washington state is home to approximately 150 different butterfly species. This significant biodiversity is a result of the state’s varied geography, which includes the Cascade Mountains, coastal beaches, and lowland basins near the Columbia River. Each distinct habitat supports a unique set of butterfly populations.
Does Washington have an official state butterfly?
No, Washington has not designated an official state butterfly. Despite having a rich diversity of around 150 butterfly species, including well-known types like the Monarch and various Fritillaries, the state legislature has not yet selected one species to officially represent the state of Washington.
Where are the best places to see butterflies in Washington?
The best places to see butterflies in Washington are in its diverse habitats, from mountains to lowlands. Approximately 20 species are found in the Cascade Mountain region, while the majority are spotted in the lowlands, basins near the Columbia River, national forests, and along coastal beaches.
What are some common brush-footed butterflies in Washington?
Common brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) in Washington include the Mourning Cloak, Red Admiral, and various Fritillary species. You can also find several types of Lady butterflies, such as the Painted Lady and West Coast Lady, as well as the well-known Monarch and the Viceroy butterfly.
Is the Monarch butterfly native to Washington state?
Yes, the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is found in Washington state as part of its native fauna. It belongs to the Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae) family of butterflies that inhabit the region. Its presence contributes to the state’s rich biodiversity, which includes many other well-known butterfly species.
What does a Mourning Cloak butterfly look like?
The Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) has dark, maroon-colored wings edged with a bright yellow or cream-colored border. Just inside this distinctive border is a row of iridescent blue spots. This unique coloration makes it one of the more easily identifiable species found throughout Washington’s diverse habitats.
Are Fritillary butterflies common in Washington?
Yes, many species of Fritillary butterflies are common throughout Washington’s diverse ecosystems. The state is home to numerous types, including the Great Spangled Fritillary, Pacific Fritillary, and Northwestern Fritillary. These butterflies are a significant part of the Nymphalidae family found across the state’s varied landscape.
