Texas butterflies footage and information – a listing of widespread and notable butterfly species present in Texas.
With habitats starting from deserts to forests, Texas is residence to an enormous variety of completely different butterfly varieties – the state is residence to an estimated 450-plus butterfly species. On this web page, we record 25 widespread and / or noteworthy Texan butterflies.
Texas Butterflies Index
American Snout
- Scientific title: Libytheana carinenta
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to five cm)
- Foremost colour(s): Brown, orange, white
- The place discovered: many components of the southern United States, particularly in Texas and surrounding states, south into South America. It’s normally present in wooded areas and close to rivers.
The American snout butterfly is well recognizable by its lengthy, beak-like mouthparts (palps) that stretch from its head, resembling a snout. Its forewings are primarily brown with orange and white patterns, whereas the hindwings are largely brown.
The butterfly’s elongated mouthparts, which resemble the stem of a leaf, and its foliage-like wing colours present glorious camouflage. The species is usually discovered close to hackberry bushes, which function their larval meals supply.
The American snout is thought for its migratory habits–throughout some years, huge numbers of American snout butterflies can darken the skies of Texas and Mexico.
Black Swallowtail
- Scientific title: Papilio polyxenes
- Household: Papilionidae
- Wingspan: 2.5 to 4.5 inches (63 to 115 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Black with yellow, blue, and crimson spots
- The place discovered: North America
One among Texas’s most lovely butterflies, the black swallowtail is a hanging insect with black wings adorned with yellow spots and a row of blue spots on the hind wings, with a central crimson spot close to the tail.
Women and men differ barely in coloration, with females usually being extra subdued and having extra blue than the male.
The black swallowtail is often present in fields, gardens, and meadows, notably the place their host vegetation, corresponding to parsley and dill, are current.
The caterpillar of the black swallowtail is named the “parsley worm” after the plant on which it’s generally discovered. It’s both inexperienced or brown – a method to make sure the survival of the best variety of caterpillars.
Cloudless Sulphur
- Scientific title: Phoebis sennae
- Household: Pieridae
- Wingspan: 2 to three inches (51 to 76 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Brilliant yellow to pale greenish-yellow
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean
The cloudless sulphur is a vibrant yellow butterfly, with males displaying a extra vivid yellow in comparison with the marginally paler females.
This species is extremely migratory and is usually seen in open areas corresponding to fields, gardens, and alongside roadsides. Their larval host vegetation embrace senna and partridge pea, that are sometimes discovered of their habitat vary.
Frequent Buckeye
- Scientific title: Junonia coenia
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 1.5 to 2.7 inches (38 to 70 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Brown with orange, white, and iridescent blue spots
- The place discovered: All through america (besides the Pacific Northwest), southern Canada, and Mexico
The widespread buckeye butterfly is well recognizable by its daring eye spots on the wings, which function a protection mechanism towards predators. The higher aspect of the wings is brown with orange bands and the distinctive eye spots.
This species is usually present in open, sunny areas corresponding to fields, meadows, and alongside roadsides, the place their host vegetation like plantains and snapdragons are considerable.
The widespread buckeye migrates as far north as southern Canada in the summertime, retreating to the southern United States and Mexico throughout the winter.
Frequent Wooden-Nymph
- Scientific title: Cercyonis pegala
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 1.75 to three inches (44 to 76 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Brown with two massive yellow-rimmed eyespots on forewings
- The place discovered: Jap and Central United States, components of Canada, and the Nice Plains
The widespread wood-nymph butterfly has a delicate but distinctive look, with brown wings that includes two massive yellow-rimmed eyespots on the forewings, and ranging numbers of eyespots on its hindwings. It’s comparable in look to different wood-nymph butterflies of genus Cercyonis.
The widespread wood-nymph butterfly prefers grassy, open areas corresponding to meadows, prairies, and forest edges. Its larvae feed on varied grasses, together with switchgrass and purpletop.
Dainty Sulphur
- Scientific title: Nathalis iole
- Household: Pieridae
- Wingspan: 0.8 to 1.2 inches (20 to 30 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Yellow with black markings
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Central America, and South America, often within the northern United States
The Dainty Sulphur is a small butterfly (the smallest North American member of its household), notable for its shiny yellow wings with distinctive black markings alongside the sides and suggestions.
Regardless of its small dimension, the species is extremely adaptable and will be present in quite a lot of open habitats corresponding to fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas. Its larvae feed on low-growing vegetation within the aster household, corresponding to marigold and fleabane, which thrive in these environments.
Jap Tiger Swallowtail
- Scientific title: Papilio glaucus
- Household: Papilionidae
- Wingspan: 3.1 to five.5 inches (79 to 140 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Yellow with black tiger stripes, blue and orange spots on the hindwings
- The place discovered: Jap United States, from New England to Florida, west to Texas, and the Nice Plains
The jap tiger swallowtail is a big and hanging butterfly, simply acknowledged by its yellow wings with black tiger-like stripes. The hindwings function blue and orange spots, with females exhibiting extra blue on the hindwings in comparison with males.
This species is often present in deciduous woodlands, river valleys, and gardens. It’s extremely adaptable and its larvae feed on quite a lot of host vegetation, together with wild cherry, tulip tree, and willow.
This well-known butterfly is the state insect of Virginia and the state butterfly of Alabama.
Large Swallowtail
- Scientific title: Papilio cresphontes
- Household: Papilionidae
- Wingspan: 5 to 7.4 inches (127 to 190 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Black with yellow bands
- The place discovered: Southern and Central United States, components of Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America
The enormous swallowtail is the biggest butterfly not solely in Texas, however in the entire of North America. It may be distinguished by its massive dimension, black wings adorned with yellow bands, and the elongated tail streamers seen on many swallowtail butterflies. The underside of the wings is primarily yellow with blue and orange spots.
The enormous swallowtail is often present in forests and citrus orchards, and may additionally be seen in gardens and open woodlands. Its larvae, referred to as “orange canines,” feed on leaves of citrus bushes and different members of the Rutaceae household, and is considered a pest by business growers.
Nice Purple Hairstreak
- Scientific title: Atlides halesus
- Household: Lycaenidae
- Wingspan: 1.25 to 1.75 inches (32 to 45 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Iridescent blue and black with crimson and orange markings
- The place discovered: Southeastern United States, components of Central America, and northern South America
The Nice Purple Hairstreak is a hanging butterfly with iridescent blue higher wings contrasted by black borders and a shiny crimson spot close to the tail. The underside is generally darkish purple with orange spots. Extending from every of the hind wings are two tails, one longer than the opposite. These skinny tails give the butterfly its “hairstreak” title.
This distinctive Texan butterfly is often present in oak woodlands, pine-oak forests, and gardens, the place its larval host vegetation, mistletoes, develop. The adults are identified for his or her fast, erratic flight and are sometimes seen visiting flowers for nectar.
Gulf Fritillary
- Scientific title: Agraulis vanillae
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2.5 to three.7 inches (64 to 94 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Brilliant orange with black markings; silvery spots on the underside
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Central America, and South America, particularly in coastal areas
The Gulf fritillary is a vibrant butterfly identified for its shiny orange wings adorned with black spots and contours on the higher aspect. The underside of the wings options hanging silvery-white spots.
Like different members of the “longwing” subfamily, Heliconiinae, the Gulf fritillary has lengthy, slim wings. It’s a rapid-flying butterfly.
The Gulf fritillary thrives in heat climates and is usually present in gardens, fields, and coastal areas the place its host vegetation, ardour vines, develop.
Hackberry Emperor
- Scientific title: Asterocampa celtis
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2 to 2.6 inches (51 to 66 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Brown with darker brown and orange markings
- The place discovered: Central and Jap United States, components of Mexico and southern Canada
The hackberry emperor is a medium-sized butterfly characterised by its brown wings with darker brown and orange spots and bars, and small eye spots on the decrease wings.
It’s usually discovered close to hackberry bushes, its larval host plant, in habitats corresponding to woodlands, forest edges, and concrete areas.
Recognized for its erratic flight sample, the grownup hackberry emperor feeds on fermenting fruit, tree sap, and animal droppings, quite than flowers.
Little Yellow
- Scientific title: Pyrisitia lisa
- Household: Pieridae
- Wingspan: 1.25 to 1.75 inches (32 to 45 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Brilliant yellow with black borders
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America
The little yellow is a small butterfly with vibrant yellow wings edged with black or brown borders. The underside of the wings is paler with some brownish spots.
Discovered from the southern United States south to Costa Rica, the little yellow is normally seen in open, sunny habitats like fields, gardens, roadsides, and disturbed areas. Its larvae feed on vegetation within the pea household, corresponding to Cassia and Senna.
The little yellow is thought for its fast, erratic flight and is ceaselessly seen fluttering near the bottom.
Monarch
- Scientific title: Danaus plexippus
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 3.5 to 4 inches (89 to 102 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Brilliant orange with black and white markings
- The place discovered: North, Central, and South America; additionally present in Australia, New Zealand, and components of Europe and Asia
Among the best-known of all butterflies present in Texas, the monarch is legendary for its hanging look and long-distance mass-migrations.
This iconic species has orange wings with black veins and white spots alongside the sides. Throughout its lengthy migratory journey, it travels 1000’s of miles between North America and central Mexico.
Monarchs are sometimes present in meadows, gardens, prairies, and alongside roadsides. Their larvae feed solely on milkweed, which gives them with a chemical protection towards predators.
The Monarch’s migration and lifecycle, together with its transformation from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly, are topics of intensive scientific research and public fascination.
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Painted Woman
- Scientific title: Vanessa cardui
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2 to 2.9 inches (50 to 74 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Orange with black and white markings
- The place discovered: Worldwide, together with North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa
The painted woman is likely one of the most widespread butterfly species, discovered not solely in North America, but additionally in all different continents besides Antarctica and South America.
This widespread species is acknowledged by its orange wings with black spots and white markings close to the guidelines. The underside of the wings is mottled brown, offering glorious camouflage.
The species inhabits quite a lot of environments, from gardens and meadows to deserts and tundra. The larvae feed on a variety of host vegetation, together with thistles, mallows, and nettles.
Recognized for his or her robust migratory habits, Painted Girls can journey lengthy distances, generally leading to massive inhabitants explosions in sure areas. Painted women within the Previous World migrate between Europe and Africa annually.
Pearl Crescent
- Scientific title: Phyciodes tharos
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 1.25 to 1.75 inches (32 to 45 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Orange with black markings and a few white spots
- The place discovered: All through america, southern Canada, and northern Mexico
The Pearl Crescent is a small butterfly characterised by its orange wings with intricate black patterns and a few white spots close to the sides. The underside is paler with a crescent-shaped white mark, which supplies the species its title.
Pearl crescents are generally present in open, sunny habitats corresponding to fields, roadsides, and gardens. Their larvae feed totally on asters. The species is thought for its variability in colour patterns, making it a standard however fascinating topic for butterfly fanatics.
A number of different members of the genus Phyciodes (a bunch referred to as the “crescents”) carefully resemble the pearl crescent.
Pipevine Swallowtail
- Scientific title: Battus philenor
- Household: Papilionidae
- Wingspan: 2.8 to five inches (70 to 130 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Iridescent blue-black on the higher aspect; orange spots on the underside
- The place discovered: Jap and Central United States, components of the Southwest, and Central America
The Pipevine Swallowtail is certainly one of a number of species of swallowtail butterfly present in Texas. (Collectively, the swallowtails make up the household Papilionidae.)
The pipevine swallowtail is a hanging species recognized by its iridescent blue-black higher wings and distinctive row of orange spots on the underside of the hindwings.
The species is usually present in habitats the place pipevine vegetation develop, as these are the first host vegetation for his or her larvae. Typical environments embrace forests, open woodlands, gardens, and fields.
The Pipevine Swallowtail’s vibrant coloration serves as a warning to predators about its toxicity, which is derived from the pipevine plant. The adults are robust fliers and are ceaselessly seen visiting flowers for nectar.
Queen Butterfly
- Scientific title: Danaus gilippus
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2.6 to three.1 inches (66 to 79 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Reddish-brown with white spots and black borders
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Central America, South America, and infrequently within the southern components of Canada
The queen butterfly is comparable in look to the Monarch however is mostly smaller and has a extra reddish-brown hue. Its wings are marked with white spots and bordered with black. The undersides of the wings are paler with much less outstanding markings.
The queen will be present in open, sunny areas corresponding to fields, meadows, and gardens. Just like the monarch, queen larvae feed on milkweed, which makes them distasteful to predators. They’re usually seen fluttering slowly round their host vegetation or nectaring on varied flowers.
Query Mark
- Scientific title: Polygonia interrogationis
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2.0 to 2.5 inches (50 to 64 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Orange with black spots on the higher aspect; brown with a silver comma-shaped mark on the underside
- The place discovered: Jap United States, southern Canada, and components of Central America
The Query Mark butterfly is known as for the distinct silver comma-shaped mark on the underside of its hindwings, which resembles a query mark. The higher aspect of the wings is orange with black spots, whereas the underside is mottled brown, offering glorious camouflage.
These butterflies are sometimes present in wooded areas, parks, and gardens. Their larvae feed on quite a lot of host vegetation, together with elm, hackberry, and nettles. Adults are identified for his or her fast, erratic flight and are sometimes seen basking within the solar or feeding on tree sap, rotting fruit, and infrequently nectar.
Crimson Admiral
- Scientific title: Vanessa atalanta
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2 to three inches (50 to 76 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Black with crimson bands and white spots
- The place discovered: North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa
The crimson admiral is a hanging butterfly with black wings adorned with shiny crimson bands and white spots close to the guidelines of the forewings. The underside is a mottled brown, which helps with camouflage.
This butterfly is extremely adaptable and is discovered on all continents besides Antarctica and Australia. It inhabits quite a lot of habitats, together with gardens, woodlands, and meadows. The larvae primarily feed on nettles.
The crimson admiral is migratory, usually touring appreciable distances. It’s also identified for its robust territorial habits, ceaselessly seen defending its chosen basking spots towards different butterflies.
Sleepy Orange
- Scientific title: Abaeis nicippe
- Household: Pieridae
- Wingspan: 1.5 to 2.25 inches (38 to 57 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Brilliant yellow-orange with black borders
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Central America, and components of South America; often discovered within the northern United States
The sleepy orange butterfly is recognized by its shiny yellow-orange wings bordered with black. The undersides of the wings are mottled brown and grey, offering camouflage when the butterfly is at relaxation.
This species is often present in open habitats corresponding to fields, gardens, and roadsides. Its larvae feed on vegetation within the pea household, particularly senna and partridge pea.
The sleepy orange is claimed to be named both for the resting posture of its wings, which can provide the looks of a sleepy expression, or for the small black mark on its forewings, which resembles a closed eye.
Regardless of its title, the sleepy orange is thought for its fast, darting flight.
Southern Dogface
- Scientific title: Zerene cesonia
- Household: Pieridae
- Wingspan: 1.75 to 2.5 inches (44 to 64 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Brilliant yellow with black borders and a dogface sample on the forewings
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Mexico, and Central America; often discovered within the northern United States
The Southern Dogface butterfly is well recognizable by the dogface-shaped sample on its forewings, shaped by a mixture of black and yellow markings. The higher aspect of the wings is shiny yellow with black borders, whereas the underside is mottled with shades of yellow and greenish-brown, offering glorious camouflage.
These distinctive butterflies are sometimes present in open, sunny habitats corresponding to fields, meadows, and roadsides. Their larvae feed on varied legumes, together with alfalfa and clover.
The Southern Dogface is thought for its swift, erratic flight and is usually seen visiting flowers for nectar or basking within the solar with its wings open.
Texan Crescent
- Scientific title: Anthanassa texana
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 1.1 to 1.6 inches (28 to 41 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Black with orange and white markings
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America
The Texan Crescent butterfly is a small species recognized by its black wings with orange bands and white spots. The undersides of the wings are mottled brown.
This butterfly is often present in open, sunny areas corresponding to fields, gardens, and roadsides. The larvae feed on varied vegetation within the acanthus household, corresponding to Ruellia.
Variegated Fritillary
- Scientific title: Euptoieta claudia
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 1.75 to three inches (45 to 76 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Orange-brown with black spots and contours
- The place discovered: All through america, southern Canada, Central America, and South America
The Variegated Fritillary is a medium-sized butterfly with orange-brown wings marked by intricate patterns of black spots and contours. The underside of the wings is paler with extra subdued patterns, aiding in camouflage.
The species inhabits quite a lot of open environments, together with fields, meadows, and roadsides. The larvae feed on a various vary of host vegetation, together with passionflower, violets, and purslane.
The Variegated Fritillary is thought for its robust, quick and low flight. Its generic title Euptoieta means “simply scared”; the species will normally fly away if approached.
Viceroy
- Scientific title: Limenitis archippus
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2.5 to three.25 inches (63 to 83 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Orange with black and white markings, mimicking the Monarch butterfly
- The place discovered: All through america, southern Canada, and northern Mexico
The Viceroy butterfly is well-known for its mimicry of the Monarch butterfly, sharing the same orange colour with black veins and white spots on the wings. The important thing distinguishing function is the horizontal black line that runs throughout the hindwings, which is absent in Monarchs.
The Viceroy’s mimicry gives it with safety from predators who additionally keep away from Monarchs on account of each species’ toxicity.
The Viceroy is often present in moist, open environments corresponding to marshes, meadows, and edges of water our bodies. Its larvae primarily feed on willow, poplar, and cottonwood leaves.
Zebra Heliconian
- Scientific title: Heliconius charithonia
- Household: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2.75 to 4 inches (70 to 100 mm)
- Foremost colour(s): Black with yellow stripes
- The place discovered: Southern United States (notably Florida and Texas), Central America, and South America
The zebra heliconian, often known as the zebra longwing, is well recognized by its distinctive black wings adorned with daring, longitudinal yellow stripes. This elegant butterfly prefers tropical and subtropical habitats corresponding to forests, gardens, and hammocks. Its larvae feed on passionflower vines, which offer the caterpillars with toxins that make them distasteful to predators.
Adults are identified for his or her lengthy lifespan and distinctive habits of roosting communally at night time. They feed on each nectar and pollen, which is uncommon for butterflies and permits them to dwell longer than many different species.
The zebra heliconian is the state butterfly of Florida.
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A number of Texas butterflies are additionally included on our record of the world’s most lovely butterflies: Stunning Butterflies
You will discover out extra about bugs on this web page: Bugs – The Final Information
Uncover extra invertebrates on this web page: Checklist Of Invertebrates
See a listing of snakes present in Texas on this web page: Texas Snakes
Go to our primary animals web page for hyperlinks to animal data and an entire information to the animal kingdom: Animals
