List of Lepidoptera of Indiana facts for kids

Did you know that Indiana is home to many different kinds of butterflies and moths? These amazing insects are part of a group called Lepidoptera, which means "scaly wings." Their wings are covered in tiny, colorful scales! This list will introduce you to some of the cool butterflies and moths you might spot flying around Indiana.

Butterflies

Butterflies are often seen flying during the day. They usually have bright colors and thin bodies. When they rest, their wings are often held upright.

Swallowtail Butterflies (Papilionidae)

Zebra swallowtail, Eurytides marcellus

Swallowtails are some of the largest and most colorful butterflies. Many of them have "tails" on their hindwings, which look a bit like the tails of swallow birds.

• Pipevine swallowtail, Battus philenor
• Zebra swallowtail, Eurytides marcellus
• Black swallowtail, Papilio polyxenes
• Eastern tiger swallowtail, Papilio glaucus
• Spicebush swallowtail, Papilio troilus

White and Sulphur Butterflies (Pieridae)

Falcate orangetip, Anthocharis midea

Sleepy orange, Eurema nicippe

This family includes many common white and yellow butterflies. You often see them fluttering in gardens and fields.

White Butterflies (Pierinae)

These butterflies are mostly white or pale yellow.

• Cabbage white, Pieris rapae
• Olympia marble, Euchloe olympia
• Falcate orangetip, Anthocharis midea

Sulphur Butterflies (Coliadinae)

Sulphur butterflies are usually bright yellow or orange.

• Clouded sulphur, Colias philodice
• Orange sulphur, Colias eurytheme
• Cloudless sulphur, Phoebis sennae
• Sleepy orange, Eurema nicippe

Gossamer-winged Butterflies (Lycaenidae)

American copper, Lycaena phlaeas

Henry's elfin, Callophrys henrici

Spring azure, Celastrina ladon

This family includes small, delicate butterflies. They often have shiny, metallic colors or tiny "tails" on their hindwings.

Copper Butterflies (Lycaeninae)

Copper butterflies often have bright orange or reddish-brown colors.

• American copper, Lycaena phlaeas
• Bronze copper, Lycaena hyllus

Hairstreak Butterflies (Theclinae)

Hairstreaks get their name from the thin, hair-like tails on their hindwings.

• Coral hairstreak, Satyrium titus
• Gray hairstreak, Strymon melinus
• Henry's elfin, Callophrys henrici

Blue Butterflies (Polyommatinae)

These small butterflies are often blue, especially the males.

• Eastern tailed-blue, Everes comyntas
• Spring azure, Celastrina ladon
• Silvery blue, Glaucopsyche lygdamus

Metalmark Butterflies (Riodinidae)

Metalmarks are small butterflies with unique patterns. They often have shiny, metallic spots on their wings.

• Northern metalmark, Calephelis borealis
• Swamp metalmark, Calephelis muticum

Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Great spangled fritillary, Speyeria cybele

Silvery checkerspot, Chlosyne nycteis

Painted lady, Vanessa cardui

Red-spotted purple, Limenitis arthemis astyanax

Northern pearly-eye, Enodia anthedon

Monarch, Danaus plexippus

This is the largest family of butterflies. They are called "brush-footed" because their front legs are small and hairy, like brushes.

Fritillary Butterflies (Heliconiinae)

Fritillaries are often orange with black spots.

• Great spangled fritillary, Speyeria cybele
• Silver-bordered fritillary, Boloria selene

Admirals, Ladies, and Commas (Nymphalinae)

This group includes many well-known butterflies.

• Painted lady, Vanessa cardui
• Red admiral, Vanessa atalanta
• Question mark, Polygonia interrogationis
• Mourning cloak, Nymphalis antiopa
• Common buckeye, Junonia coenia

Admirals and Viceroys (Limenitidinae)

These butterflies are known for their beautiful patterns.

• Red-spotted purple, Limenitis arthemis astyanax
• Viceroy, Limenitis archippus

Satyr Butterflies (Satyrinae)

Satyr butterflies often have "eyespots" on their wings. They usually fly in shady, wooded areas.

• Northern pearly-eye, Enodia anthedon
• Little wood-satyr, Megisto cymela
• Common wood-nymph, Cercyonis pegala

Monarch Butterflies (Danainae)

The Monarch is famous for its long migration.

• Monarch, Danaus plexippus

Skipper Butterflies (Hesperiidae)

Silver-spotted skipper, Epargyreus clarus

Southern cloudywing, Thorybes bathyllus

Least skippers mating, Ancyloxypha numitor

Tawny-edged skipper, Polites themistocles

Zabulon skipper, Poanes zabulon

Skippers are a mix between butterflies and moths. They have stout bodies and hooked antennae. They fly very fast and erratically.

Duskywings and Checkered-Skippers (Pyrginae)

These skippers are often dark-colored.

• Silver-spotted skipper, Epargyreus clarus
• Dreamy duskywing, Erynnis icelus
• Common checkered-skipper, Pyrgus communis

Grass Skippers (Hesperiinae)

Many grass skippers are small and brown or orange.

• Least skipper, Ancyloxypha numitor
• Fiery skipper, Hylephila phyleus
• Tawny-edged skipper, Polites themistocles
• Zabulon skipper, Poanes zabulon

Moths

Moths are usually active at night. They often have thicker, hairier bodies than butterflies. When they rest, their wings are typically held flat or tent-like over their bodies.

Giant Silkworm Moths (Saturniidae)

These are some of the largest and most beautiful moths. Their caterpillars often spin large silk cocoons.

Giant Silkworms (Saturniinae)

These moths are known for their impressive size and patterns.

• Luna moth, Actias luna
• Polyphemus moth, Antheraea polyphemus
• Cecropia moth, Hyalophora cecropia

Buck Moths (Hemileucinae)

This group includes moths that are active during the day.

• Io moth, Automeris io
• Eastern buck moth, Hemileuca maia

Royal Moths (Ceratocampinae)

These moths often have striking colors and patterns.

• Imperial moth, Eacles imperialis
• Regal moth, Citheronia regalis
• Rosy maple moth, Dryocampa rubicunda

Sphinx Moths (Sphingidae)

Sphinx moths, also called hawk moths, are strong, fast flyers. Many can hover like hummingbirds.

Hummingbird Moths (Macroglossinae)

These moths often resemble hummingbirds.

• Pandora sphinx, Eumorpha pandorus
• Hummingbird sphinx, Hemaris thysbe

Hornworm Moths (Sphinginae)

The caterpillars of these moths are often called "hornworms" because they have a horn-like tail.

• Carolina sphinx, Manduca sexta
• Elm sphinx, Ceratomia amyntor

Eyed Sphinx Moths (Smerinthinae)

These moths often have large "eyespots" on their hindwings.

• Twin spotted sphinx, Smerinthus jamaicensis
• Walnut sphinx, Amorpha juglandis

Owlet Moths (Noctuidae)

This is a very large family of moths. Many are dull-colored, but some have bright hindwings.

Underwing Moths (Noctuinae)

Many of these moths have hidden bright colors on their hindwings.

• Large yellow underwing, Noctua pronuba
• Stalk borer, Papaipema nebris

Looper Moths (Plusiinae)

The caterpillars of these moths often move in a "looping" way.

• Connected looper, Plusia contexta
• Golden looper, Argyrogramma verruca

Dagger Moths (Acronictinae)

These moths are often gray and fuzzy.

• Harris's three spot, Harrisimemna trisignata

Euteliid Moths (Euteliidae)

These are a smaller family of moths.

• Beautiful eutelia, Eutelia pulcherrima

Erebid Moths (Erebidae)

This is another very large and diverse family of moths. It includes many well-known groups like underwings and tiger moths.

Forester Moths (Agaristinae)

These moths are often active during the day and have bright colors.

• Eight-spotted forester, Alypia octomaculata
• Beautiful wood-nymph, Eudryas grata

Underwing Moths (Erebinae)

Many moths in this group have brightly colored hindwings that are hidden when they rest.

• Mother underwing, Catocala parta
• Darling underwing, Catocala cara
• Clouded underwing, Catocala nebulosa
• White underwing, Catocala relicta

Tiger Moths (Arctiinae)

Tiger moths are often brightly colored and fuzzy. Many have patterns that warn predators they are not tasty.

• Virgin tiger moth, Grammia virgo
• Harnessed tiger moth, Apantesis phalerata

Images for kids

• 

  Io moth, Automeris io - male

• 

  Eacles imperialis

• 

  A live Papaipema cataphracta

• 

  Harris's three spot moth

• 

  Beautiful eutelia

• 

  Beautiful wood-nymph

• 

  Catocala cara

• 

  Catocala nebulosa