List of butterflies of Maryland facts for kids

Maryland is a wonderful place to spot many different kinds of butterflies! These beautiful insects add so much color and life to our gardens, parks, and wild spaces. This article will introduce you to some of the amazing butterfly families you can find flying around the U.S. state of Maryland.

Discovering Maryland's Butterflies

Butterflies are fascinating insects known for their colorful wings and graceful flight. They start their lives as tiny eggs, hatch into caterpillars, then transform inside a chrysalis before emerging as the winged adults we all recognize. Maryland's diverse habitats, from forests to meadows and coastal areas, provide perfect homes for a wide variety of butterfly species.

Butterfly Families in Maryland

Scientists group butterflies into different families based on their shared features. Let's explore some of the main butterfly families that call Maryland home.

Swallowtails (Papilionidae)

Swallowtails are often large, colorful butterflies with distinctive "tails" on their hindwings, which look a bit like the tails of swallows. They are strong fliers and are a joy to watch.

• Eastern tiger swallowtail, Papilio glaucus
• Zebra swallowtail, Eurytides marcellus
• Spicebush swallowtail, Papilio troilus
• Giant swallowtail, Papilio cresphontes

Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)

This family includes many common butterflies that are usually white, yellow, or orange. They are often seen fluttering around open fields and gardens.

• Cabbage white, Pieris rapae
• Clouded sulphur, Colias philodice
• Orange sulphur, Colias eurytheme
• Cloudless sulphur, Phoebis sennae

Blues, Coppers, and Hairstreaks (Lycaenidae)

These are generally smaller butterflies, often with bright blue, copper, or iridescent colors. Many hairstreaks have tiny, hair-like tails on their wings, which can trick predators.

Blues

• Eastern tail-blue, Cupido comyntas
• Silvery blue, Glaucopsyche lygdamus

Coppers

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

Hairstreaks

• Gray hairstreak, Strymon melinus
• Banded hairstreak, Satyrium calanus
• Coral hairstreak, Satyrium titus
• Great purple hairstreak, Atlides halesus

Metalmarks (Riodinidae)

Metalmarks are usually small butterflies. They get their name from the shiny, metallic-looking spots or lines on their wings. They often perch with their wings held flat.

• Little metalmark, Calephelis virginiensis
• Northern metalmark, Calephelis borealis

Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

This is a very large and diverse family, often called "brush-footed" because their front legs are smaller and covered in brush-like hairs, not used for walking. It includes many well-known butterflies like monarchs.

Fritillaries

• Variegated fritillary, Euptoieta claudia
• Greater spangled fritillary, Speyeria cybele

Checkerspots and Crescents

• Pearl crescent, Phyciodes tharos
• Baltimore checkerspot, Euphydryas phaeton

Anglewings and Tortoiseshells

• Question mark, Polygonia interrogationis
• Mourning cloak, Nymphalis antiopa

Admirals and Ladies

• Red admiral, Vanessa atalanta
• Painted lady, Vanessa cardui
• Red-spotted purple, Limenitis arthemis
• Viceroy, Limenitis archippus

Monarchs and Queens

• Monarch, Danaus plexippus
• Queen, Danaus gilippus

Satyrs and Wood-Nymphs

• Little wood-satyr, Megisto cymela
• Common wood-nymph, Cercyonis pegala

Skippers (Hesperiidae)

Skippers are often thought of as a mix between butterflies and moths. They have stout bodies, large heads, and hooked antennae. They get their name from their fast, darting flight.

Duskywings and Cloudywings

• Silver-spotted skipper, Epargyreus clarus
• Northern cloudywing, Thorybes pylades
• Juvenal's duskywing, Erynnis juvenalis
• Wild indigo duskywing, Erynnis baptisiae

Grass Skippers

• Fiery skipper, Hylephila phyleus
• Sachem, Atalopedes campestris
• Least skipper, Ancyloxpha numitor
• Hobomok skipper, Poanes hobomok
• Zabulon skipper, Poanes zabulon