Texas butterflies footage and information – a listing of commonplace and notable butterfly species present in Texas.
With habitats starting from deserts to forests, Texas is house to an unlimited collection of other butterfly sorts – the state is house to an estimated 450-plus butterfly species. In this web page, we checklist 25 commonplace and / or noteworthy Texan butterflies.
Texas Butterflies Index
American Snout
- Clinical title: Libytheana carinenta
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 1.5 to two inches (3.8 to five cm)
- Major colour(s): Brown, orange, white
- The place discovered: many portions of the southern United States, particularly in Texas and surrounding states, south into South The us. It’s most often present in wooded spaces and close to rivers.
The American snout butterfly is well recognizable via its lengthy, beak-like mouthparts (palps) that reach from its head, equivalent to a snout. Its forewings are essentially brown with orange and white patterns, whilst the hindwings are most commonly brown.
The butterfly’s elongated mouthparts, which resemble the stem of a leaf, and its foliage-like wing colours supply superb camouflage. The species is steadily discovered close to hackberry timber, which function their larval meals supply.
The American snout is understood for its migratory conduct–all over some years, huge numbers of American snout butterflies can darken the skies of Texas and Mexico.
Black Swallowtail
- Clinical title: Papilio polyxenes
- Circle of relatives: Papilionidae
- Wingspan: 2.5 to 4.5 inches (63 to 115 mm)
- Major colour(s): Black with yellow, blue, and pink spots
- The place discovered: North The us
Certainly one of Texas’s most lovely butterflies, the black swallowtail is a putting insect with black wings embellished with yellow spots and a row of blue spots at the hind wings, with a central pink spot close to the tail.
Men and women range relatively in colour, with ladies in most cases being extra subdued and having extra blue than the male.
The black swallowtail is usually present in fields, gardens, and meadows, in particular the place their host crops, akin to parsley and dill, are provide.
The caterpillar of the black swallowtail is referred to as the “parsley malicious program” after the plant on which it’s usually discovered. It’s both inexperienced or brown – a technique to verify the survival of the best collection of caterpillars.
Cloudless Sulphur
- Clinical title: Phoebis sennae
- Circle of relatives: Pieridae
- Wingspan: 2 to three inches (51 to 76 mm)
- Major colour(s): Vibrant yellow to light greenish-yellow
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Central The us, South The us, and the Caribbean
The cloudless sulphur is a colourful yellow butterfly, with men showing a extra shiny yellow in comparison to the relatively paler ladies.
This species is very migratory and is steadily observed in open spaces akin to fields, gardens, and alongside roadsides. Their larval host crops come with senna and partridge pea, which might be usually discovered of their habitat vary.
Not unusual Buckeye
- Clinical title: Junonia coenia
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 1.5 to two.7 inches (38 to 70 mm)
- Major colour(s): Brown with orange, white, and iridescent blue spots
- The place discovered: All through america (except for the Pacific Northwest), southern Canada, and Mexico
The average buckeye butterfly is well recognizable via its daring eye spots at the wings, which function a protection mechanism towards predators. The higher aspect of the wings is brown with orange bands and the unique eye spots.
This species is steadily present in open, sunny spaces akin to fields, meadows, and alongside roadsides, the place their host crops like plantains and snapdragons are considerable.
The average buckeye migrates as some distance north as southern Canada in the summertime, taking flight to the southern United States and Mexico all over the wintry weather.
Not unusual Wooden-Nymph
- Clinical title: Cercyonis pegala
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 1.75 to three inches (44 to 76 mm)
- Major colour(s): Brown with two huge yellow-rimmed eyespots on forewings
- The place discovered: Jap and Central United States, portions of Canada, and the Nice Plains
The average wood-nymph butterfly has a refined but unique look, with brown wings that includes two huge yellow-rimmed eyespots at the forewings, and ranging numbers of eyespots on its hindwings. It is identical in look to different wood-nymph butterflies of genus Cercyonis.
The average wood-nymph butterfly prefers grassy, open spaces akin to meadows, prairies, and woodland edges. Its larvae feed on more than a few grasses, together with switchgrass and purpletop.
Dainty Sulphur
- Clinical title: Nathalis iole
- Circle of relatives: Pieridae
- Wingspan: 0.8 to at least one.2 inches (20 to 30 mm)
- Major colour(s): Yellow with black markings
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Central The us, and South The us, now and again within the northern United States
The Dainty Sulphur is a small butterfly (the smallest North American member of its circle of relatives), notable for its vivid yellow wings with unique black markings alongside the perimeters and guidelines.
In spite of its small dimension, the species is very adaptable and can also be present in a lot of open habitats akin to fields, roadsides, and disturbed spaces. Its larvae feed on low-growing crops within the aster circle of relatives, akin to marigold and fleabane, which thrive in those environments.
Jap Tiger Swallowtail
- Clinical title: Papilio glaucus
- Circle of relatives: Papilionidae
- Wingspan: 3.1 to five.5 inches (79 to 140 mm)
- Major colour(s): Yellow with black tiger stripes, blue and orange spots at 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 huge and putting butterfly, simply known via its yellow wings with black tiger-like stripes. The hindwings characteristic blue and orange spots, with ladies showing extra blue at the hindwings in comparison to men.
This species is usually present in deciduous woodlands, river valleys, and gardens. It’s extremely adaptable and its larvae feed on a lot of host crops, 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
- Clinical title: Papilio cresphontes
- Circle of relatives: Papilionidae
- Wingspan: 5 to 7.4 inches (127 to 190 mm)
- Major colour(s): Black with yellow bands
- The place discovered: Southern and Central United States, portions of Canada, Mexico, Central The us, and South The us
The enormous swallowtail is the biggest butterfly no longer best in Texas, however in the entire of North The us. It may be outstanding via its huge dimension, black wings embellished with yellow bands, and the elongated tail streamers observed on many swallowtail butterflies. The bottom of the wings is essentially yellow with blue and orange spots.
The enormous swallowtail is usually present in forests and citrus orchards, and can be observed in gardens and open woodlands. Its larvae, referred to as “orange canine,” feed on leaves of citrus timber and different individuals of the Rutaceae circle of relatives, and is thought of as a pest via business growers.
Nice Crimson Hairstreak
- Clinical title: Atlides halesus
- Circle of relatives: Lycaenidae
- Wingspan: 1.25 to at least one.75 inches (32 to 45 mm)
- Major colour(s): Iridescent blue and black with pink and orange markings
- The place discovered: Southeastern United States, portions of Central The us, and northerly South The us
The Nice Crimson Hairstreak is a putting butterfly with iridescent blue higher wings contrasted via black borders and a vivid pink spot close to the tail. The bottom is most commonly darkish pink with orange spots. Extending from every of the hind wings are two tails, one longer than the opposite. Those skinny tails give the butterfly its “hairstreak” title.
This unique Texan butterfly is usually present in oak woodlands, pine-oak forests, and gardens, the place its larval host crops, mistletoes, develop. The adults are identified for his or her fast, erratic flight and are steadily observed visiting vegetation for nectar.
Gulf Fritillary
- Clinical title: Agraulis vanillae
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2.5 to three.7 inches (64 to 94 mm)
- Major colour(s): Vibrant orange with black markings; silvery spots at the underside
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Central The us, and South The us, particularly in coastal spaces
The Gulf fritillary is a colourful butterfly identified for its vivid orange wings embellished with black spots and features at the higher aspect. The bottom of the wings options putting silvery-white spots.
Like different individuals of the “longwing” subfamily, Heliconiinae, the Gulf fritillary has lengthy, slender wings. This can be a rapid-flying butterfly.
The Gulf fritillary prospers in heat climates and is steadily present in gardens, fields, and coastal spaces the place its host crops, pastime vines, develop.
Hackberry Emperor
- Clinical title: Asterocampa celtis
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2 to two.6 inches (51 to 66 mm)
- Major colour(s): Brown with darker brown and orange markings
- The place discovered: Central and Jap United States, portions of Mexico and southern Canada
The hackberry emperor is a medium-sized butterfly characterised via its brown wings with darker brown and orange spots and bars, and small eye spots at the decrease wings.
It’s steadily discovered close to hackberry timber, its larval host plant, in habitats akin to woodlands, woodland edges, and concrete spaces.
Identified for its erratic flight trend, the grownup hackberry emperor feeds on fermenting fruit, tree sap, and animal droppings, slightly than vegetation.
Little Yellow
- Clinical title: Pyrisitia lisa
- Circle of relatives: Pieridae
- Wingspan: 1.25 to at least one.75 inches (32 to 45 mm)
- Major colour(s): Vibrant yellow with black borders
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Central The us, the Caribbean, and South The us
The little yellow is a small butterfly with colourful yellow wings edged with black or brown borders. The bottom of the wings is paler with some brownish spots.
Discovered from the southern United States south to Costa Rica, the little yellow is most often observed in open, sunny habitats like fields, gardens, roadsides, and disturbed spaces. Its larvae feed on crops within the pea circle of relatives, akin to Cassia and Senna.
The little yellow is understood for its fast, erratic flight and is ceaselessly observed fluttering just about the bottom.
Monarch
- Clinical title: Danaus plexippus
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 3.5 to 4 inches (89 to 102 mm)
- Major colour(s): Vibrant orange with black and white markings
- The place discovered: North, Central, and South The us; additionally present in Australia, New Zealand, and portions of Europe and Asia
Some of the best-known of all butterflies present in Texas, the monarch is known for its putting look and long-distance mass-migrations.
This iconic species has orange wings with black veins and white spots alongside the perimeters. All through its lengthy migratory adventure, it travels 1000’s of miles between North The us and central Mexico.
Monarchs are steadily present in meadows, gardens, prairies, and alongside roadsides. Their larvae feed completely 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 in depth medical find out about and public fascination.
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Painted Woman
- Clinical title: Vanessa cardui
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2 to two.9 inches (50 to 74 mm)
- Major colour(s): Orange with black and white markings
- The place discovered: International, together with North and South The us, Europe, Asia, and Africa
The painted woman is without doubt one of the maximum in style butterfly species, discovered no longer best in North The us, but in addition in all different continents except for Antarctica and South The us.
This in style species is known via its orange wings with black spots and white markings close to the guidelines. The bottom of the wings is mottled brown, offering superb camouflage.
The species inhabits a lot of environments, from gardens and meadows to deserts and tundra. The larvae feed on quite a lot of host crops, together with thistles, mallows, and nettles.
Identified for his or her sturdy migratory conduct, Painted Girls can trip lengthy distances, every so often leading to huge inhabitants explosions in sure spaces. Painted girls within the Outdated Global migrate between Europe and Africa every 12 months.
Pearl Crescent
- Clinical title: Phyciodes tharos
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 1.25 to at least one.75 inches (32 to 45 mm)
- Major colour(s): Orange with black markings and a few white spots
- The place discovered: All through america, southern Canada, and northerly Mexico
The Pearl Crescent is a small butterfly characterised via its orange wings with intricate black patterns and a few white spots close to the perimeters. The bottom is paler with a crescent-shaped white mark, which supplies the species its title.
Pearl crescents are usually present in open, sunny habitats akin to fields, roadsides, and gardens. Their larvae feed totally on asters. The species is understood for its variability in colour patterns, making it a commonplace however fascinating matter for butterfly fans.
A number of different individuals of the genus Phyciodes (a bunch referred to as the “crescents”) intently resemble the pearl crescent.
Pipevine Swallowtail
- Clinical title: Battus philenor
- Circle of relatives: Papilionidae
- Wingspan: 2.8 to five inches (70 to 130 mm)
- Major colour(s): Iridescent blue-black at the higher aspect; orange spots at the underside
- The place discovered: Jap and Central United States, portions of the Southwest, and Central The us
The Pipevine Swallowtail is certainly one of a number of species of swallowtail butterfly present in Texas. (In combination, the swallowtails make up the circle of relatives Papilionidae.)
The pipevine swallowtail is a putting species recognized via its iridescent blue-black higher wings and unique row of orange spots at the underside of the hindwings.
The species is steadily present in habitats the place pipevine crops develop, as those are the principle host crops for his or her larvae. Standard environments come with forests, open woodlands, gardens, and fields.
The Pipevine Swallowtail’s colourful colour serves as a caution to predators about its toxicity, which is derived from the pipevine plant. The adults are sturdy fliers and are ceaselessly observed visiting vegetation for nectar.
Queen Butterfly
- Clinical title: Danaus gilippus
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2.6 to three.1 inches (66 to 79 mm)
- Major colour(s): Reddish-brown with white spots and black borders
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Central The us, South The us, and now and again within the southern portions of Canada
The queen butterfly is identical in look to the Monarch however is in most cases 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 can also be present in open, sunny spaces akin to fields, meadows, and gardens. Just like the monarch, queen larvae feed on milkweed, which makes them distasteful to predators. They’re steadily observed fluttering slowly round their host crops or nectaring on more than a few vegetation.
Query Mark
- Clinical title: Polygonia interrogationis
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2.0 to two.5 inches (50 to 64 mm)
- Major colour(s): Orange with black spots at the higher aspect; brown with a silver comma-shaped mark at the underside
- The place discovered: Jap United States, southern Canada, and portions of Central The us
The Query Mark butterfly is known as for the distinct silver comma-shaped mark at the underside of its hindwings, which resembles a query mark. The higher aspect of the wings is orange with black spots, whilst the bottom is mottled brown, offering superb camouflage.
Those butterflies are steadily present in wooded spaces, parks, and gardens. Their larvae feed on a lot of host crops, together with elm, hackberry, and nettles. Adults are identified for his or her fast, erratic flight and are steadily observed basking within the solar or feeding on tree sap, rotting fruit, and now and again nectar.
Pink Admiral
- Clinical title: Vanessa atalanta
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2 to three inches (50 to 76 mm)
- Major colour(s): Black with pink bands and white spots
- The place discovered: North The us, Europe, Asia, and North Africa
The pink admiral is a putting butterfly with black wings embellished with vivid pink bands and white spots close to the guidelines of the forewings. The bottom is a mottled brown, which is helping with camouflage.
This butterfly is very adaptable and is located on all continents except for Antarctica and Australia. It inhabits a lot of habitats, together with gardens, woodlands, and meadows. The larvae essentially feed on nettles.
The pink admiral is migratory, steadily touring really extensive distances. It’s also identified for its sturdy territorial conduct, ceaselessly observed protecting its selected basking spots towards different butterflies.
Sleepy Orange
- Clinical title: Abaeis nicippe
- Circle of relatives: Pieridae
- Wingspan: 1.5 to two.25 inches (38 to 57 mm)
- Major colour(s): Vibrant yellow-orange with black borders
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Central The us, and portions of South The us; now and again discovered within the northern United States
The sleepy orange butterfly is recognized via its vivid 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 usually present in open habitats akin to fields, gardens, and roadsides. Its larvae feed on crops within the pea circle of relatives, particularly senna and partridge pea.
The sleepy orange is alleged to be named both for the resting posture of its wings, which may give the semblance of a sleepy expression, or for the small black mark on its forewings, which resembles a closed eye.
In spite of its title, the sleepy orange is understood for its fast, darting flight.
Southern Dogface
- Clinical title: Zerene cesonia
- Circle of relatives: Pieridae
- Wingspan: 1.75 to two.5 inches (44 to 64 mm)
- Major colour(s): Vibrant yellow with black borders and a dogface trend at the forewings
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Mexico, and Central The us; now and again discovered within the northern United States
The Southern Dogface butterfly is well recognizable via the dogface-shaped trend on its forewings, shaped via a mixture of black and yellow markings. The higher aspect of the wings is vivid yellow with black borders, whilst the bottom is mottled with sunglasses of yellow and greenish-brown, offering superb camouflage.
Those unique butterflies are usually present in open, sunny habitats akin to fields, meadows, and roadsides. Their larvae feed on more than a few legumes, together with alfalfa and clover.
The Southern Dogface is understood for its swift, erratic flight and is steadily observed visiting vegetation for nectar or basking within the solar with its wings open.
Texan Crescent
- Clinical title: Anthanassa texana
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 1.1 to at least one.6 inches (28 to 41 mm)
- Major colour(s): Black with orange and white markings
- The place discovered: Southern United States, Mexico, Central The us, and South The us
The Texan Crescent butterfly is a small species recognized via its black wings with orange bands and white spots. The undersides of the wings are mottled brown.
This butterfly is usually present in open, sunny spaces akin to fields, gardens, and roadsides. The larvae feed on more than a few crops within the acanthus circle of relatives, akin to Ruellia.
Variegated Fritillary
- Clinical title: Euptoieta claudia
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 1.75 to three inches (45 to 76 mm)
- Major colour(s): Orange-brown with black spots and features
- The place discovered: All through america, southern Canada, Central The us, and South The us
The Variegated Fritillary is a medium-sized butterfly with orange-brown wings marked via intricate patterns of black spots and features. The bottom of the wings is paler with extra subdued patterns, assisting in camouflage.
The species inhabits a lot of open environments, together with fields, meadows, and roadsides. The larvae feed on a various vary of host crops, together with passionflower, violets, and purslane.
The Variegated Fritillary is understood for its sturdy, speedy and occasional flight. Its generic title Euptoieta method “simply scared”; the species will most often fly away if approached.
Viceroy
- Clinical title: Limenitis archippus
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2.5 to three.25 inches (63 to 83 mm)
- Major colour(s): Orange with black and white markings, mimicking the Monarch butterfly
- The place discovered: All through america, southern Canada, and northerly Mexico
The Viceroy butterfly is well known for its mimicry of the Monarch butterfly, sharing a equivalent orange colour with black veins and white spots at the wings. The important thing distinguishing characteristic is the horizontal black line that runs around the hindwings, which is absent in Monarchs.
The Viceroy’s mimicry supplies it with coverage from predators who additionally steer clear of Monarchs because of each species’ toxicity.
The Viceroy is usually present in rainy, open environments akin to marshes, meadows, and edges of water our bodies. Its larvae essentially feed on willow, poplar, and cottonwood leaves.
Zebra Heliconian
- Clinical title: Heliconius charithonia
- Circle of relatives: Nymphalidae
- Wingspan: 2.75 to 4 inches (70 to 100 mm)
- Major colour(s): Black with yellow stripes
- The place discovered: Southern United States (in particular Florida and Texas), Central The us, and South The us
The zebra heliconian, sometimes called the zebra longwing, is well recognized via its unique black wings embellished with daring, longitudinal yellow stripes. This sublime butterfly prefers tropical and subtropical habitats akin to forests, gardens, and hammocks. Its larvae feed on passionflower vines, which give you the caterpillars with toxins that cause them to distasteful to predators.
Adults are identified for his or her lengthy lifespan and distinctive conduct of roosting communally at evening. They feed on each nectar and pollen, which is strange for butterflies and lets them out survive many different species.
The zebra heliconian is the state butterfly of Florida.
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A number of Texas butterflies also are incorporated on our checklist of the arena’s most lovely butterflies: Stunning Butterflies
You’ll be able to in finding out extra about bugs in this web page: Bugs – The Final Information
Uncover extra invertebrates in this web page: Record Of Invertebrates
See a listing of snakes present in Texas in this web page: Texas Snakes
Discuss with our major animals web page for hyperlinks to animal data and a whole information to the animal kingdom: Animals