Easy Species List

Butterflies of the Carolinas & Virginias Easy Species List
Start > Butterfly Families > Easy Species List (100 of the more common species)

Swallowtails > Whites > Sulphurs > Harvester > Coppers > Hairstreaks > Blues > Snout > Fritillaries > True Brush-foots > Admirals > Emperors > Satyrs > Monarchs > Spread-wing Skippers > Grass Skippers

Common Name (SC-NABN) Scientific Name (NABA) Scientific Name Abundance

Swallowtails (Family Papilionidae)

Swallowtails (Subfamily Papilioninae)

Pipevine Swallowtail Battus philenor philenor Battus philenor
C

Zebra Swallowtail Eurytides marcellus marcellus Eurytides marcellus
C-U

Black Swallowtail (1) (2) Papilio polyxenes asterius Papilio polyxenes
C-U

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (1) (2) Pterourus glaucus glaucus Papilio glaucus
A

Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail Pterourus appalachiensis N/A
A

Spicebush Swallowtail Pterourus troilus troilus
Papilio troilus
C

Palamedes Swallowtail Pterourus palamedes palamedes
Papilio palamedes
A

Whites and Sulphurs (Family Pieridae)

Whites (Subfamily Pierinae)

West Virginia White Pieris virginiensis virginiensis
Pieris virginiensis
U

Cabbage White Pieris rapae
Pieris rapae
A

Falcate Orangetip Anthocharis midea annickae
Anthocharis midea
C

Sulphurs (Subfamily Coliadinae)

Clouded Sulphur Colias philodice philodice Colias philodice
C

Orange Sulphur Colias eurytheme
Colias eurytheme
C

Cloudless Sulphur Phoebis sennae sennae
Phoebis sennae
A

Little Yellow Eurema lisa lisa
Eurema lisa
U

Sleepy Orange Eurema nicippe
Eurema nicippe
A

Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Family Lycaenidae)

Harvesters (Subfamily Miletinae)

Harvester Feniseca tarquinius
Feniseca tarquinius
U-R

Coppers (Subfamily Lycaeninae)

American Copper Lycaena phlaeas Lycaena phlaeas
U

Hairstreaks (Subfamily Theclinae)

Great Purple Hairstreak Atlides halesus halesus
Atlides halesus
U

Coral Hairstreak Satyrium titus titus
Satyrium titus
U

Banded Hairstreak Satyrium calanus
Satryium calanus
U

Henry's Elfin Deciduphagus henrici henrici
Callophrys henrici
C

Eastern Pine Elfin Incisalia niphon niphon
Callophrys niphon
U

Olive Hairstreak Mitoura grynea grynea
Callophrys gryneus
U

White M Hairstreak Parrhasius m-album
Parrhasius m-album
U

Gray Hairstreak Strymon melinus melinus
Strymon melinus
C

Red-banded Hairstreak Calycopis cecrops
Calycopis cecrops
C

Blues (Subfamily Polyommatinae)

Eastern Tailed-Blue Everes comyntas comyntas
Everes comyntas
A

Atlantic Holly Azure Celastrina idella Celastrina idella
U

Spring Azure Celastrina ladon Celastrina ladon
C

Appalachian Azure Celastrina neglectamajor
Celastrina neglectamajor
R

Summer Azure Celastrina neglecta
Celastrina ladon neglecta
A

Brush-footed Butterflies (Family Nymphalidae)

Snouts (Subfamily Libytheinae)

American Snout Libytheana carinenta bachmanii
Libytheana carinenta
C

Heliconians and Fritillaries (Subfamily Heliconiinae)

Gulf Fritillary
Agraulis vanillae nigrior
Agraulis vanillae
C

Variegated Fritillary Euptoieta claudia
Euptoieta claudia
C

Great Spangled Fritillary Speyeria cybele – aggregate
Speyeria cybele
C

Aphrodite Fritillary Speyeria aphrodite aphrodite
Speyeria aphrodite
U

Meadow Fritillary Boloria bellona bellona
Boloria bellona
C

True Brush-foots (Subfamily Nymphalinae)

Silvery Checkerspot Charidryas ismeria nysteis Chlosyne nycteis
C

Phaon Crescent Phyciodes phaon phaon Phyciodes phaon
U

Pearl Crescent Phyciodes tharos tharos Phyciodes tharos
A

Question Mark (1) (2) Polygonia interrogationis Polygonia interrogationis
C

Eastern Comma Polygonia comma Polygonia comma
C

Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa antiopa Nymphalis antiopa
C

American Lady Vanessa virginiensis Vanessa virginiensis
A

Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Vanessa cardui
U

Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta rubria Vanessa atalanta
C

Common Buckeye Junonia coenia coenia
Junonia coenia
A

Admirals and Relatives (Subfamily Limenitidinae)

Red-spotted Purple
Limenitis arthemis astyanax Limenitis arthemis astyanax
C

Viceroy Limenitis archippus archippus
Limenitis archippus
C

Emperors (Subfamily Apaturinae)

Hackberry Emperor Asterocampa celtis celtis
Asterocampa celtis
C

Tawny Emperor Asterocampa clyton clyton
Asterocampa clyton

U

Satyrs (Subfamily Satyrinae)

Southern Pearly-eye
Enodia portlandia missarkae
Enodia portlandia
U

Northern Pearly-eye Enodia anthedon anthedon
Enodia anthedon
C

Creole Pearly-eye Enodia creola
Enodia creola
U

Appalachian Brown Satyrodes appalachia appalachia
Satyrodes appalachia
U

Gemmed Satyr Cyllopsis gemma gemma
Cyllopsis gemma
U

Carolina Satyr Hermeuptychia sosybia
Hermeuptychia sosybius
A

Little Wood-Satyr Megisto cymela cymella
Megisto cymela
C

Common Wood-Nymph Cercyonis pegala – aggregate
Cercyonis pegala
C

Monarchs (Subfamily Danainae)

Monarch Danaus plexippus plexippus
Danaus plexippus
C

Skippers (Family Hesperiidae)

Spread-wing Skippers (Subfamily Pyrginae)

Silver-spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus clarus
Epargyreus clarus
A

Long-tailed Skipper Urbanus proteus
Urbanus proteus
U

Hoary Edge Achalarus lyciades
Achalarus lyciades
U

Southern Cloudywing Thorybes bathyllus
Thorybes bathyllus
C

Northern Cloudywing Thorybes pylades pylades
Thorybes pylades
C

Hayhurst's Scallopwing Staphylus hayhurstii
Staphylus hayhurstii
U

Dreamy Duskywing Erynnis icelus icelus
Erynnis icelus
C

Sleepy Duskywing Erynnis brizo brizo
Erynnis brizo
U

Juvenal's Duskywing Erynnis juvenalis juvenalis
Erynnis juvenalis
A

Horace's Duskywing Erynnis horatius
Erynnis horatius
C

Zarucco Duskywing Erynnis zarucco zarucco
Erynnis zarucco
U

Wild Indigo Duskywing Erynnis baptisiae
Erynnis baptisiae
U

Common Checkered-Skipper Pyrgus communis
Pyrgus communis
C

Common Sootywing Pholisora catullus
Pholisora catullus
C

Grass Skippers (Subfamily Hesperiinae)

Swarthy Skipper Nastra lherminier
Nastra lherminier
U

Clouded Skipper Lerema accius
Lerema accius
C-A

Least Skipper Ancyloxypha numitor
Ancyloxypha numitor
C

Southern Skipperling Copaeodes minima
Copaeodes minimus
U

European Skipper Thymelicus lineola
Thymelicus lineola
U

Fiery Skipper Hylephila phyleus phyleus
Hylephila phyleus
A

Peck's Skipper Polites peckius peckius
Polites peckius
C

Tawny-edged Skipper Polites themistocles themistocles
Polites themistocles
U

Crossline Skipper Polites origines origines
Polites origenes
C

Long Dash Polites mystic mystic
Polites mystic
U

Whirlabout Polites vibex vibex
Polites vibex
C

Southern Broken-Dash Wallengrenia otho
Wallengrenia otho
U

Northern Broken-Dash Wallengrenia egeremet
Wallengrenia egeremet
U

Little Glassywing Pompeius verna verna
Pompeius verna
C

Sachem Atalopedes campestris campestris
Atalopedes campestris
A

Delaware Skipper Anatrytone logan logan
Anatrytone logan
U

Hobomok Skipper Poanes hobomok hobomok
Poanes hobomok
U

Zabulon Skipper Poanes zabulon
Poanes zabulon
C

Broad-winged Skipper Poanes viator zizaniae
Poanes viator
U-C

Dion Skipper Euphyes dion alabamae
Euphyes dion
U

Dun Skipper Euphyes vestris metacomet
Euphyes vestris
C

Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper Amblyscirtes aesculapius
Amblyscirtes aesculapius
U

Common Roadside-Skipper Amblyscirtes vialis
Amblyscirtes vialis
U-R

Eufala Skipper Lerodea eufala
Lerodea eufala
U

Salt Marsh Skipper Panoquina panoquin
Panoquina panoquin
U-C

Ocola Skipper Panoquina ocola
Panoquina ocola
C

References and acknowledgements

Swallowtails > Whites > Sulphurs > Harvester > Coppers > Hairstreaks > Blues > Snout > Fritillaries > True Brush-foots > Admirals > Emperors > Satyrs > Monarchs > Spread-wing Skippers > Grass Skippers
Common Name	(SC-NABN) Scientific Name	(NABA) Scientific Name	Abundance
Swallowtails (Family Papilionidae)
Swallowtails (Subfamily Papilioninae)
Pipevine Swallowtail	Battus philenor philenor	Battus philenor	C
Zebra Swallowtail	Eurytides marcellus marcellus	Eurytides marcellus	C-U
Black Swallowtail (1) (2)	Papilio polyxenes asterius	Papilio polyxenes	C-U
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (1) (2)	Pterourus glaucus glaucus	Papilio glaucus	A
Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail	Pterourus appalachiensis	N/A	A
Spicebush Swallowtail	Pterourus troilus troilus	Papilio troilus	C
Palamedes Swallowtail	Pterourus palamedes palamedes	Papilio palamedes	A

Whites and Sulphurs (Family Pieridae)
Whites (Subfamily Pierinae)
West Virginia White	Pieris virginiensis virginiensis	Pieris virginiensis	U
Cabbage White	Pieris rapae	Pieris rapae	A
Falcate Orangetip	Anthocharis midea annickae	Anthocharis midea	C

Sulphurs (Subfamily Coliadinae)
Clouded Sulphur	Colias philodice philodice	Colias philodice	C
Orange Sulphur	Colias eurytheme	Colias eurytheme	C
Cloudless Sulphur	Phoebis sennae sennae	Phoebis sennae	A
Little Yellow	Eurema lisa lisa	Eurema lisa	U
Sleepy Orange	Eurema nicippe	Eurema nicippe	A

Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Family Lycaenidae)
Harvesters (Subfamily Miletinae)
Harvester	Feniseca tarquinius	Feniseca tarquinius	U-R

Coppers (Subfamily Lycaeninae)
American Copper	Lycaena phlaeas	Lycaena phlaeas	U

Hairstreaks (Subfamily Theclinae)
Great Purple Hairstreak	Atlides halesus halesus	Atlides halesus	U
Coral Hairstreak	Satyrium titus titus	Satyrium titus	U
Banded Hairstreak	Satyrium calanus	Satryium calanus	U
Henry's Elfin	Deciduphagus henrici henrici	Callophrys henrici	C
Eastern Pine Elfin	Incisalia niphon niphon	Callophrys niphon	U
Olive Hairstreak	Mitoura grynea grynea	Callophrys gryneus	U
White M Hairstreak	Parrhasius m-album	Parrhasius m-album	U
Gray Hairstreak	Strymon melinus melinus	Strymon melinus	C
Red-banded Hairstreak	Calycopis cecrops	Calycopis cecrops	C

Blues (Subfamily Polyommatinae)
Eastern Tailed-Blue	Everes comyntas comyntas	Everes comyntas	A
Atlantic Holly Azure	Celastrina idella	Celastrina idella	U
Spring Azure	Celastrina ladon	Celastrina ladon	C
Appalachian Azure	Celastrina neglectamajor	Celastrina neglectamajor	R
Summer Azure	Celastrina neglecta	Celastrina ladon neglecta	A

Brush-footed Butterflies (Family Nymphalidae)
Snouts (Subfamily Libytheinae)
American Snout	Libytheana carinenta bachmanii	Libytheana carinenta	C

Heliconians and Fritillaries (Subfamily Heliconiinae)
Gulf Fritillary	Agraulis vanillae nigrior	Agraulis vanillae	C
Variegated Fritillary	Euptoieta claudia	Euptoieta claudia	C
Great Spangled Fritillary	Speyeria cybele – aggregate	Speyeria cybele	C
Aphrodite Fritillary	Speyeria aphrodite aphrodite	Speyeria aphrodite	U
Meadow Fritillary	Boloria bellona bellona	Boloria bellona	C

True Brush-foots (Subfamily Nymphalinae)
Silvery Checkerspot	Charidryas ismeria nysteis	Chlosyne nycteis	C
Phaon Crescent	Phyciodes phaon phaon	Phyciodes phaon	U
Pearl Crescent	Phyciodes tharos tharos	Phyciodes tharos	A
Question Mark (1) (2)	Polygonia interrogationis	Polygonia interrogationis	C
Eastern Comma	Polygonia comma	Polygonia comma	C
Mourning Cloak	Nymphalis antiopa antiopa	Nymphalis antiopa	C
American Lady	Vanessa virginiensis	Vanessa virginiensis	A
Painted Lady	Vanessa cardui	Vanessa cardui	U
Red Admiral	Vanessa atalanta rubria	Vanessa atalanta	C
Common Buckeye	Junonia coenia coenia	Junonia coenia	A

Admirals and Relatives (Subfamily Limenitidinae)
Red-spotted Purple	Limenitis arthemis astyanax	Limenitis arthemis astyanax	C
Viceroy	Limenitis archippus archippus	Limenitis archippus	C

Emperors (Subfamily Apaturinae)
Hackberry Emperor	Asterocampa celtis celtis	Asterocampa celtis	C
Tawny Emperor	Asterocampa clyton clyton	Asterocampa clyton	U

Satyrs (Subfamily Satyrinae)
Southern Pearly-eye	Enodia portlandia missarkae	Enodia portlandia	U
Northern Pearly-eye	Enodia anthedon anthedon	Enodia anthedon	C
Creole Pearly-eye	Enodia creola	Enodia creola	U
Appalachian Brown	Satyrodes appalachia appalachia	Satyrodes appalachia	U
Gemmed Satyr	Cyllopsis gemma gemma	Cyllopsis gemma	U
Carolina Satyr	Hermeuptychia sosybia	Hermeuptychia sosybius	A
Little Wood-Satyr	Megisto cymela cymella	Megisto cymela	C
Common Wood-Nymph	Cercyonis pegala – aggregate	Cercyonis pegala	C

Monarchs (Subfamily Danainae)
Monarch	Danaus plexippus plexippus	Danaus plexippus	C

Skippers (Family Hesperiidae)
Spread-wing Skippers (Subfamily Pyrginae)
Silver-spotted Skipper	Epargyreus clarus clarus	Epargyreus clarus	A
Long-tailed Skipper	Urbanus proteus	Urbanus proteus	U
Hoary Edge	Achalarus lyciades	Achalarus lyciades	U
Southern Cloudywing	Thorybes bathyllus	Thorybes bathyllus	C
Northern Cloudywing	Thorybes pylades pylades	Thorybes pylades	C
Hayhurst's Scallopwing	Staphylus hayhurstii	Staphylus hayhurstii	U
Dreamy Duskywing	Erynnis icelus icelus	Erynnis icelus	C
Sleepy Duskywing	Erynnis brizo brizo	Erynnis brizo	U
Juvenal's Duskywing	Erynnis juvenalis juvenalis	Erynnis juvenalis	A
Horace's Duskywing	Erynnis horatius	Erynnis horatius	C
Zarucco Duskywing	Erynnis zarucco zarucco	Erynnis zarucco	U
Wild Indigo Duskywing	Erynnis baptisiae	Erynnis baptisiae	U
Common Checkered-Skipper	Pyrgus communis	Pyrgus communis	C
Common Sootywing	Pholisora catullus	Pholisora catullus	C

Grass Skippers (Subfamily Hesperiinae)
Swarthy Skipper	Nastra lherminier	Nastra lherminier	U
Clouded Skipper	Lerema accius	Lerema accius	C-A
Least Skipper	Ancyloxypha numitor	Ancyloxypha numitor	C
Southern Skipperling	Copaeodes minima	Copaeodes minimus	U
European Skipper	Thymelicus lineola	Thymelicus lineola	U
Fiery Skipper	Hylephila phyleus phyleus	Hylephila phyleus	A
Peck's Skipper	Polites peckius peckius	Polites peckius	C
Tawny-edged Skipper	Polites themistocles themistocles	Polites themistocles	U
Crossline Skipper	Polites origines origines	Polites origenes	C
Long Dash	Polites mystic mystic	Polites mystic	U
Whirlabout	Polites vibex vibex	Polites vibex	C
Southern Broken-Dash	Wallengrenia otho	Wallengrenia otho	U
Northern Broken-Dash	Wallengrenia egeremet	Wallengrenia egeremet	U
Little Glassywing	Pompeius verna verna	Pompeius verna	C
Sachem	Atalopedes campestris campestris	Atalopedes campestris	A
Delaware Skipper	Anatrytone logan logan	Anatrytone logan	U
Hobomok Skipper	Poanes hobomok hobomok	Poanes hobomok	U
Zabulon Skipper	Poanes zabulon	Poanes zabulon	C
Broad-winged Skipper	Poanes viator zizaniae	Poanes viator	U-C
Dion Skipper	Euphyes dion alabamae	Euphyes dion	U
Dun Skipper	Euphyes vestris metacomet	Euphyes vestris	C
Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper	Amblyscirtes aesculapius	Amblyscirtes aesculapius	U
Common Roadside-Skipper	Amblyscirtes vialis	Amblyscirtes vialis	U-R
Eufala Skipper	Lerodea eufala	Lerodea eufala	U
Salt Marsh Skipper	Panoquina panoquin	Panoquina panoquin	U-C
Ocola Skipper	Panoquina ocola	Panoquina ocola	C

References and acknowledgements