List of butterflies of Oregon facts for kids
The state of Oregon is home to many beautiful butterflies! These amazing insects flutter around, adding color to our parks, gardens, and wild spaces. This list will introduce you to some of the different types of butterflies you can find flying in Oregon.
Meet Oregon's Butterflies: Different Families and Their Features
Butterflies are grouped into different families based on their features. Each family has unique characteristics that make them special. Let's explore some of the main butterfly families found in Oregon.
Hesperiidae: The Skippers
Skippers are a family of butterflies known for their quick, darting flight. They often look a bit like moths because of their thick bodies and hooked antennae. They are usually small to medium-sized.
- Epargyreus clarus, the silver-spotted skipper, is a common sight. It has a bright silver spot on its hindwings.
- Thorybes pylades, the northern cloudywing, is another skipper you might spot.
- Pyrgus communis, the common checkered-skipper, has a cool checkered pattern on its wings.
- Ochlodes sylvanoides, the woodland skipper, is often found in grassy areas.
Papilionidae: Parnassians and Swallowtails
This family includes some of the largest and most colorful butterflies. Many of them, like the swallowtails, have distinctive "tails" on their hindwings, which look a bit like the tails of a swallow bird.
- Parnassius clodius, the Clodius parnassian, is a beautiful white butterfly often found in mountain areas.
- Battus philenor, the pipevine swallowtail, is known for its iridescent blue-black wings.
- Papilio rutulus, the western tiger swallowtail, is one of the most recognized butterflies. It has bright yellow and black stripes, just like a tiger!
- Papilio eurymedon, the pale swallowtail, is similar but has creamier yellow wings.
- Papilio machaon oregonius, the Oregon swallowtail, is a special butterfly found in Oregon. It's even featured on a postage stamp!
Pieridae: Whites and Sulphurs
As their name suggests, butterflies in this family are mostly white or yellow. They are often seen fluttering in open fields and gardens.
- Anthocharis sara, the Pacific orangetip, is a pretty white butterfly with bright orange tips on its wings.
- Pieris rapae, the cabbage white, is a very common white butterfly you'll often see in gardens. It loves plants like cabbage!
- Colias eurytheme, the orange sulphur, is a bright orange-yellow butterfly.
- Colias philodice, the clouded sulphur, is a common yellow butterfly.
- Neophasia menapia, the pine white, is a white butterfly often found near pine trees.
Lycaenidae: Gossamer-Wing Butterflies
This is a very large family with many small, delicate butterflies. They often have shiny, iridescent wings and are known as coppers, hairstreaks, and blues.
- Lycaena phlaeas, the American copper, has pretty coppery-orange wings.
- Lycaena helloides, the purplish copper, has a lovely purplish sheen.
- Atlides halesus, the great purple hairstreak, is a striking butterfly with deep purple wings.
- Strymon melinus, the gray hairstreak, is a common small gray butterfly.
- Cupido amyntula, the western tailed-blue, is a tiny blue butterfly with small tails.
- Glaucopsyche lygdamus, the silvery blue, has a beautiful silvery-blue color on its wings.
Riodinidae: Metalmarks
Metalmarks are a smaller family of butterflies. They get their name from the small, metallic-looking spots or lines on their wings.
- Apodemia mormo, the Mormon metalmark, is one example of this unique family found in Oregon.
Nymphalidae: Brush-Footed Butterflies
This is the largest family of butterflies and includes many well-known species. They are called "brush-footed" because their front legs are smaller and hairy, looking like brushes. They use their other four legs for walking.
- Danaus plexippus, the monarch, is famous for its long migrations. It has bright orange and black wings.
- Limenitis lorquini, Lorquin's admiral, is a beautiful dark butterfly with white bands.
- Vanessa cardui, the painted lady, is one of the most widespread butterflies in the world. It has orange, black, and white patterns.
- Vanessa atalanta, the red admiral, is a striking butterfly with black wings and bright red bands.
- Nymphalis antiopa, the mourning cloak, is a large, dark butterfly with yellow edges on its wings. It's one of the first butterflies to appear in spring.
- Polygonia satyrus, the satyr comma, has jagged wing edges that help it blend in with leaves.
- Cercyonis pegala, the common wood-nymph, is a brown butterfly often found in grassy areas.
Images for kids
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U.S. postage stamp featuring the Oregon swallowtail butterfly, Papilio machaon oregonius.
