Types of Butterflies in West Virginia
West Virginia is home to about 135 species of butterflies, out of which 21 are commonly spotted.
The state has designated the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as the official state butterfly in 1995. An adult Monarch has a wingspan of 3.75-4 inches with an orange-brown or reddish upper surface with black stripes.
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
- ‘Astyanax‘ Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
- White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis arthemis)
- Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
- Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)
- Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
- Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis)
- Diana (Speyeria diana)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)
- Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
- Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vaualbum)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
- Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Harris’ Checkerspot (Chlosyne harrisii)
- Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone)
- Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)
- Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Tawny Crescent (Phyciodes batesii)
- Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)
- American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
- Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus)
- Bog Copper (Lycaena epixanthe)
- Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
- Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Edwards’ Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
- Banded Hairstreak (Satryium calanus)
- Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorum)
- Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
- Southern Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius)
- Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus)
- Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios)
- Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus)
- Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici)
- Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
- ‘Olive’ Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus gryneus)
- Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
- Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
- Early Hairstreak (Erora laeta)
- Eastern Tailed-Blue (Everes comyntas)
- Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
- Appalachian Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor)
- Dusky Azure (Celastrina nigra)
- Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
- West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis)
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
- Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia)
- Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea)
- Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
- Pink-edged Sulphur (Colias interior)
- Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
- Little Yellow (Eurema lisa)
- Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
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)
- Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
- Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
- Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Columbine Duskywing (Erynnis lucilius)
- Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)
- Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis funeralis)
- Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius)
- Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)
- Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis)
- Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo)
- Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
- Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
- Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae)
- Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)
- Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)
- Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
- Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus)
- Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades)
- Golden Banded-Skipper (Autochton cellus)
- Hayhurst’s Scallopwing (Staphylus hayhurstii)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official state butterfly of West Virginia?
The official state butterfly of West Virginia is the Monarch (Danaus plexippus), which was designated in 1995. This well-known species belongs to the Brush-Footed butterfly family and is celebrated for its distinct orange and black markings and its remarkable annual migration, a significant natural event in North America.
How many species of butterflies are found in West Virginia?
Approximately 135 species of butterflies are found in West Virginia, reflecting the state’s diverse habitats and ecosystems. Among these, about 21 species are considered commonly spotted. The state’s butterfly population includes members of prominent families like Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae) and Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae) butterflies.
How can you identify a Monarch butterfly in West Virginia?
You can identify an adult Monarch butterfly in West Virginia by its large wingspan of 3.75 to 4 inches. Its key features include an orange-brown or reddish upper wing surface with bold black stripes and white spots along the outer margins, creating a classic and easily recognizable pattern.
Are there purple butterflies in West Virginia?
Yes, the ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) is a butterfly with purple coloring found in West Virginia. This member of the Brush-Footed family has wings that display a beautiful iridescent blue to purple-blue sheen, making it one of the state’s more striking butterfly species.
What are some common Brush-Footed butterflies in West Virginia?
Some common Brush-Footed butterflies in West Virginia include the Monarch, Viceroy, American Lady, and Red Admiral. This large family also features various Fritillaries like the Great Spangled Fritillary, as well as distinctive species like the Mourning Cloak, Eastern Comma, and Common Buckeye found across the state.
What types of Fritillary butterflies live in West Virginia?
West Virginia is home to several types of Fritillary butterflies, which are known for their orange and black checkered patterns. Commonly observed species include the Great Spangled Fritillary, Diana Fritillary, Regal Fritillary, Aphrodite Fritillary, and the smaller Meadow Fritillary, all belonging to the Nymphalidae family.
What are Gossamer-Winged butterflies in West Virginia?
Gossamer-Winged butterflies (Lycaenidae) in West Virginia are a family of small, delicate butterflies. This group includes various species such as the American Copper and Bronze Copper, multiple hairstreaks like the Coral and Great Purple Hairstreak, and elfins like the Brown Elfin, often found in specific habitats.
