Types of Butterflies

North American Butterfly Families

North America is a temperate area and many species of butterflies find a home here. Approximately 700 species can be found north of the border of Mexico. The major butterfly families that are found in North America are:

• Danaidae: milkweed butterflies
• Heliconiidae: heliconians
• Hesperiidae: common skippers
• Libytheidae: snout butterflies
• Lycaenidae: gossamer-winged butterflies
• Megathymidae: giant skippers
• Nymphalidae: brush-footed butterflies
• Papilionidae: swallowtails
• Parnassiidae: parnassians
• Pieridae: whites, sulfurs, & orange-tips
• Riodinidae: metalmarks
• Satyridae: nymphs, satyrs, & arctics

Interesting Types of Butterflies

While scientifically butterflies are categorized into species and families, they can also be separated into habitats. Each habitat offers unique sources of camouflage and nutrition to the butterfly. Each type of eco-system has different butterflies that thrive there.

Grassland Butterflies

Grassland butterflies are those that are commonly seen in meadows and around flower gardens. They are brightly colored and drawn to the flowers that are plentiful in these areas. Some common types of grassland butterflies are:

African Swallowtail

• Monarchs
• Painted Lady
• Crescentspot
• Aphrodite
• Tiger Swallowtail
• Viceroy

Woodland Butterflies

Woodland butterflies are often less colorful than the butterflies of the grasslands. Because of the large variety of food sources there are more types of butterflies found in this habitat than in any other.

• Acadian Hairstreak
• Pine
• Comma Butterfly
• Mourning Cloak
• Map Butterfly

Mountain Butterflies

Short summers and cold nights make a hostile environment for butterflies. In spite of these challenges there are a large variety of butterflies that are at home in the mountains and even the arctic tundra. These butterflies are often darker in color, allowing them to absorb the heat from the weak arctic sun more easily. Long, hairy scales cover their bodies and help to retain the heat.

• Moorland Clouded Yellow
• Piedmont Ringlet
• Arctic Fritillary
• Northern Blue
• Creamy Marblewing

Exotic Butterflies of the Tropics

Singapore Butterfly

Of course the most marvelously patterned butterflies are from the tropics. These brightly colored butterflies live in the tropical areas of the world near the equator. They are extravagantly decorated with colors like pink, bright green, and purple. Because of the favorable living conditions, the tropical butterflies tend to be larger than other types.

• Paper Kite
• Isabella
• Blue Morpho

Endangered Species

Butterflies are dependant on plants and habitat for survival. In recent times some of the changes that man has made to his environment have put some of these beautiful creatures at risk. For example, a Californian Xerces Blue was last seen near San Francisco in 1941 and is presumed extinct. As long ago is the 1800's, the Large Copper butterfly became extinct in Britain. Once a butterfly is extinct there is no way to get it back. Its beauty and place in the environment is lost forever. Some types of butterflies that are on the endangered species list are:

• Regal Fritillary
• Queen Alexandra's Birdwing
• Zebra Swallowtail
• Essex Emerald

Other Sites of Interest

There are several interesting sites about butterflies. Butterfly information, clubs, cams, and pictures abound on the Internet. If you are a teacher there are many sites with printables and teacher's helps as well.

• Butterfly Cam at the Butterfly Conservatory.
• Butterfly World has a pictorial butterfly guide online.
• A European butterfly cam.
• Monarch Butterfly has a number of free teacher's resources for elementary through high school.
• Thematic Butterfly unit for preschool and kindergarten.
• Preschool Printables.
• Butterfly coloring pages from Coloring Castle.

Provide Habitat

To encourage butterflies to your garden you need to provide the things that they need to thrive. These LoveToKnow articles will help you to create a habitat for all kinds of butterflies:

• What Do Butterflies Eat
• Butterfly Garden
• Butterfly House

Observing butterflies is a relaxing hobby that many people enjoy. The addition of these fascinating creatures to your garden is almost like having flying flowers. By knowing about them and providing habitat, you can help them to survive and thrive in our world.