A Guide To North American Butterflies

Butterflies are winged-insects that belong to the Lepidoptera order. They are divided into three major groups, namely, the true butterflies, the skippers, and the moth butterflies. These groups are also known by their scientific names of papilionoidae, hesperiidae, and hedyloidae respectively. Butterflies are admired for their beautiful colored wings and erratic flight, and they are represented in decorative designs that are found on a wide variety of items, including greeting cards, household products, stationeries, clothes, and other objects. Many people also incorporate butterfly themes in weddings and other special events because butterflies are a symbol of beauty and romance. Here is a list of websites that provide information about different species of butterflies.

Swallowtails (Papilionoidae)

• Tiger Swallowtail: List of facts about the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.

• Black Swallowtail: Comprehensive description of the Black Swallowtail.

• Giant Swallowtail: An overview of the Giant Swallowtail.

• Pipevine Swallowtail: General information about the Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly.

• Schaus Swallowtail: Learn about this endangered swallowtail specie.

Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)

• Pine White: All about the Pine White butterfly.

• Checkered White: Article that contains interesting facts about the Checkered White.

• Cabbage White: Images and description of the Cabbage White.

• Clouded Sulphur: Basic information on the Clouded Sulphur.

• Orange Sulphur: Fact sheet that provides information on the Orange Sulphur butterfly.

Gossamer-Wing Butterflies (Lycaenidae)

• Harvester: Diagnosis, subspecies, habits, and other facts about the Harvester butterfly.

• Blue Copper: Brief introduction to the Blue Copper.

• Great Purple Hairstreak: Article that discusses the specifications, distribution, and breeding habits of the Great Purple Hairstreak.

• Northern Blue: (PDF Document)An overview of the Northern Blue butterfly.

Metalmarks (Riodinidae)

• Lange’s Metalmark: Description, history, distribution, and conservation of the Lange’s Metalmark.

• Mormon Metalmark: (PDF Document) Information about the endangered Mormon Metalmark.

• Swamp Metalmark: Discover interesting facts about the Swamp Metalmark.

• Northern Metalmark: Article that offers a photographic explanation of the habits of the Northern Metalmark.

Brush-Footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)                           

• Zebra Heliconian: Find out the fascinating behavior of the Zebra Heliconian.

• Great Spangled Fritillary: List of facts that describe the Great Spangled Fritillary.

• Gulf Fritillary: Learn about the characteristics, habits, flight, and distribution of the Gulf Fritillary.

• Regal Fritillary: Fact sheet that provides details on the Regal Fritillary.

Skippers (Hesperiidae)

• Silver-Spotted Skipper: Extensive information on the Silver-Spotted Skipper.

• Long-Tailed Skipper: Description of appearance, size, life cycle, and habitat of the Long-Tailed Skipper.

• Dakota Skipper: Article that discusses the characteristics and conservation of the endangered Dakota Skipper.

• Fiery Skipper: Summary of the appearance, habitat, range, and natural history of the Fiery Skipper.