The Most Common Butterflies in North America
There are common butterflies that occur in every region of North America. Learning the few common ones is an easier way to start rather than trying to learn the over 700 species that live on this continent. If you learn about the most common species, you will be able to identify butterflies in many areas of North America. These common species belong to several families. Each family has certain characteristics. By learning their characteristics, life-cycle and needs you can find butterflies on nature walks and attract them to your backyard. Besides, the species that occur all over the continent, there are common species specific to different regions. The North American Butterfly Society has regional guides that will list other common butterflies in your local area.
Butterflies that occur in all regions of North AmericaWhites and Sulphur Family Orange Sulphur - (Colias eurytheme) Clouded Sulphur (also called Yellow or Common Sulphur) - (Colias philodice) European Cabbage White - (Artogeia rapae) Gossamer Wing Family Spring Azure - (Celastrina ladon) Coral Hairstreak - (Harkenclenus titus) Gray Hairstreak (also called Common Hairstreak) - (Strymon melinus) Common Wood Nymph or Large Wood Nymph - (Cercyonis pegala) Milkweed Family Monarch - (Danaus plexippus) Anglewings and Tortoiseshells Family Mourning Cloak - (Nymphalis antiopa) Brush-Footed Family Red Admiral - (Vanessa atalanta) Painted Lady - (Vanessa cardui) Viceroy - (Basilarchia archippus) Skipper Family Silver-Spotted Skipper - (Epargyreus clarus) Common Sooty Wing - (Pholisora catullus) Tawny-edged Skipper - (Polites themistocles) Common Checkered Skipper - (Pyrgus communis) More Butterfly Information Butterfly Life Cycle egg larva chrysalis adult Where to find them The most common butterfly species Seven butterfly families Spring butterflies Attracting Butterflies Top nectar plants Top host plants Field Guides Black Butterflies Mourning Cloak Butterfly Swallowtail Butterflies From Common Butterflies Return to Butterflies
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