16 Most Common Butterflies In Connecticut: Pictures And Identifying Features

This article delves into the enchanting world of butterflies in Connecticut. I will focus on the 16 most common Butterflies in Connecticut since it would be too lengthy to cover the over 120 butterfly species in the State.

Connecticut’s diverse landscape offers a variety of habitats that attract a rich array of butterfly species, from the Majestic Monarch to the charming Mourning Cloak, from lush meadows to wooded areas and urban gardens. Each species and environment plays a unique role in shaping the butterfly ecosystem.

Let’s explore these butterfly species and natural landscapes and appreciate the significance of preserving them for future generations to enjoy the beauty of butterflies.

Also See:16 Most Common New Hampshire butterflies (Identifying features with pictures)

#1. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is a very large butterfly with black wings and yellow markings. It is a resident butterfly, and it can be found in Connecticut throughout the year.

These insects hibernate through the year’s colder months by spending winter in chrysalis, emerging in the spring when the weather is warm enough to use their flight muscles and sufficient nectar sources to feed on.

Identifying Features of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

• The wingspan of an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is between 3.5 and 5 inches.
• Its wings are black and striped like a tiger’s, and the tip of its tail is blue. Females might also have blue markings on their hind wings.
• The wings are a pale yellow color with black markings on the underside.
• While male butterflies tend to be bright yellow, females can be either color. Compared to the male butterfly, the female has a splash of blue iridescence on her tail.
• Each butterfly’s hind wing has a long, tail-like extension at the very tip.

Diet: 

Carrot family plants, including Queen Anne’s lace and wild parsnip, are the larvae’s primary food source.

Habitats:

A Common butterfly flies freely in parks, woods, and fields. It is also a popular sight in gardens and meadows.

Interesting Facts about Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

• Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillars feed on the leaves of many plants, like milkweed, citrus trees, and pawpaw trees.
• During the day, the caterpillars use their silk to wrap themselves in a leaf.
• The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is a mimic, which means it looks like other more dangerous butterflies. This makes it harder for predators to eat them.

As a defense mechanism, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail small caterpillars resemble bird droppings.

As they molt and grow, they change color to green and develop two black “eyespots,” giving them a snakelike appearance.

If the larvae are handled roughly by a lizard, a bird, or a curious human, a set of bright orange glands (osmeteria) will erupt from the neck area. These secrete an odoriferous acid mixture used for defense.

#2. Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)

The Cabbage White butterfly, though small in size, is one of the most common species in Connecticut. Its white wings with faint black markings make it a distinctive sight in gardens and open spaces.

Identifying Features of the Cabbage White Butterfly 

• The Cabbage White butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 to 2 inches with white wings.
• There are small black spots on its wings and a thin black line that follows the outer edge of each wing.
• Underneath the wings is lighter in color and marked with green and yellow.

DIETS:

Plants in the mustard family, like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, make up the bulk of the Cabbage White’s diet.

The larvae (caterpillars) of the butterfly are the most damaging stage because of how many leaves they can consume. Adults consume flower nectar.

Cabbage white caterpillars are common in rural and urban settings due to their cabbage, kale, bok choy, turnips, radishes, horseradish, and broccoli diet.

HABITATS:

Known for its adaptability, this butterfly thrives in rural and urban areas, making it a frequent visitor to backyard gardens.

You will see Cabbage White anywhere from manicured lawns to open fields and even wooded areas.

Interesting Facts about the Cabbage White Butterfly

• The Cabbage White butterfly is integral to pollination because it carries pollen from flower to flower. Many insects, spiders, and birds rely on it as a food source.
• Cabbage White butterflies are prolific breeders and can produce several generations in a single year.
• The Cabbage White butterfly is incredibly common and can be found in all continents except Antarctica.
• Typically, the female butterfly deposits her eggs in host plant leaves. After hatching of the eggs, the larvae will start eating the leaves.

Cabbage whites don’t like cool and shady places, and females don’t lay eggs when it’s cloudy or raining.

These butterflies like it when it’s sunny. More than 300 eggs are laid by a cabbage white female.

Their body temperature has a big effect on how fast they grow.

From 50 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, growth speeds up. The butterfly would die at a temperature greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

#3. Painted Lady

Except for Antarctica, the painted lady can be found on every continent. It is the butterfly species that live in the most places on Earth.

Identifying Features of the Painted Lady Butterfly 

• The Painted Lady butterfly has a wingspan between 2 and 3 inches.
• The upper wings have a light buffy-orange background color. The tips of the black forewings are tipped with white spots, and the black hindwings are covered in parallel rows of black spots.
• Blue eye spots dot the otherwise white undersides.

DIETS:

They subsist on the sweet nectar of flowers like thistles, daisies, and sunflowers. Dandelions, plantains, goldenrod, zinnia, butterfly bush, milkweed, and other members of the daisy family are also favorites of these insects.

The caterpillar feeds on plants in the Asteraceae and Malvaceae families.

HABITATS:

You can spot painted ladies in grassy areas, fields, and along roads. They prefer sunny environments like parks, meadows, and dunes. Gardens also frequently feature them.

Interesting Facts about the Painted Lady Butterfly

• They are one of the world’s most common butterflies on every continent except Antarctica.
• Occasionally, individuals will migrate more than 2,000 miles in a single direction.
• The Painted Lady represents perseverance and optimism due to its ability to thrive despite adverse conditions.
• You can raise the caterpillars of the Painted Lady Butterfly at home and classrooms without using a single plant because they are so adaptable and will eat an artificial diet.

#4. Red Admiral

A second common butterfly in Connecticut is the Red Admiral. It is about the size of a thumb and has orange wings with black markings.

The Red Admiral butterfly lives in Connecticut and can be seen there all year.

Identifying Features of the Red Admiral Butterfly 

• It has a large 2.5–3 inch (6.4–7.6 cm) wingspan
• Its black wings are marked with bright red–orange bands and white spots.
• The white crescents on its black forewing tips also distinguish the butterfly.

DIETS:

The Red Admiral butterfly consumes nectar from flowers, fruit juice, and tree sap. However, its caterpillars are herbivores that feed primarily on nettles.

HABITATS:

Red Admiral thrives in various habitats, from forests and gardens to parks and the coast.

Interesting Facts about Red Admiral Butterfly

• They are known for traveling long distances; some have seen them travel more than 1,000 miles.
• The Red Admiral is a sign of hope and strength because it can live in harsh environments.
• The larvae of the Red Admiral are poisonous, and their spines can give people a mild rash.

#5. Viceroy

The Viceroy butterfly looks like the Monarch. It has the same orange and black spots, but the Viceroy is smaller, and its wings are narrower.

The Viceroy butterfly lives in Connecticut and can be found there all year long.

Identifying Features of Viceroy Butterfly 

• The Viceroy butterfly is about 2 to 3 inches long, and its wingspan is about the same.
• It looks like a monarch butterfly, but the black band on its upper wings is thinner, and its tail is more pointed.
• The undersides of the wings are orange and marked with black.

DIETS:

The Viceroy eats nectar from flowers like milkweed, thistles, and asters. They also eat the leaves of plants in the same family as milkweed.

HABITATS:

They are a common butterfly seen in gardens, meadows, and forests.

Viceroys live in many places, like moist woods, meadows, gardens, and cities. They can travel long distances because they are strong fliers.

Interesting Facts about Viceroy Butterfly

• The Viceroy’s coloration is aposematic, which means it warns predators that it is poisonous.
• The Viceroy Butterfly looks just like the poisonous Monarch butterfly.
• The larvae of the Viceroy butterfly eat milkweed plants, which are poisonous to predators because they contain toxins.

#6. Spring Azure

The Spring Azure is a small butterfly with blue wings. It is a resident butterfly, and it can be found in Connecticut from late spring to early summer.

Identifying Features of Spring Azure Butterfly 

• The Spring Azure butterfly is a tiny species with a maximum wing span of 1 to 1.5 inches.
• Its blue or gray wings have a thin white bar.
• The underside of the wings is gray or brown with darker markings.

DIETS:

Flowers such as violets, dogwoods, and blueberries provide nectar that the Spring Azure relies on for sustenance. The caterpillar stage lives on the leaves of dogwood trees.

HABITATS:

Connecticut and other states in eastern North America are home to spring azure. This butterfly species is frequently spotted in grassy areas close to bodies of water.

Meadows, forests, and gardens all play host to the spring azure. They have a poor grasp of flight and rarely venture far from home.

Interesting Facts about Spring Azure Butterfly

• The Spring Azure butterfly is notable for being one of the earliest springtime fliers.
• Female butterflies lay their eggs on dogwood leaves. Eggs are laid, and then the larvae start eating the leaves.
• Adults emerge from their pupal stage after about two weeks of larval development.
• The average life expectancy of a Spring Azure is two weeks.

#7. American Lady

The American Lady butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis) is a beautiful and distinctive insect found in Connecticut. It resembles the Painted lady butterfly but the American Lady has on the underside of the back wing, a pattern called a “cobweb” and two large eye spots near the edge. On the other hand, the painted lady has four smaller eye spots in a row.

Identifying Features of American Lady Butterfly 

• You can identify American Lady by its bright orange and black patterns on its upper wings, which have white spots and a brownish-black underside.
• Its wingspan is about 1.75 to 2.5 inches (4.4 to 6.4 cm).
• One of the things that makes it different from the similar and closely related painted lady is that part of the edge of the forewing is concave.

DIETS:

The American Lady mostly eats nectar from flowers, especially plants like aster, clover, and milkweed. On the other hand, its caterpillars like to eat the leaves of sunflowers.

HABITATS:

You will find American Lady Butterfly in places like meadows, fields, gardens, and open woodlands. They like places with lots of nectar-rich flowers to eat and host plants where they can lay their eggs.

Interesting Facts about American Lady Butterfly

• It can migrate long distances, like the Red Admiral, especially in the western part of its range.
• Thistle leaves are where the female butterfly lays her eggs.
• After hatching, the larvae start to eat the leaves. After about two weeks, the larvae change into adults.
• The lifespan of the American Lady is about two weeks.

#8. Red-Spotted Purple

The Red-Spotted Purple butterfly is among Connecticut’s most stunning species.

Between April and October, they are most active, so that’s when you should go looking for them.

Identifying Features of Red-Spotted Purple Butterfly 

• The wingspan of a mature Red-Spotted Purple butterfly is between 2.5 and 3.5 inches.
• Its brown body is marked with orange and black, and each of its hind wings has a bright red spot.
• Red-Spotted Purple Caterpillars have brown, cream, and yellow spots on their bodies, and their horns look like twigs.

DIETS:

The Red-Spotted Purple gets its nutrition from nectar collected from various flowering plants. They also eat carrion and rotting fruit.

The caterpillars (larvae) eat the leaves of various members of the rose family, including raspberries, blackberries, and roses.

HABITATS:

You can spot these butterflies almost anywhere, including woods, fields, and backyards. Forests, meadows, and gardens are just some places to spot a red-spotted purple.

They have powerful wings and can fly far.

Interesting Facts about Red-Spotted Purple Butterfly

• The Red-Spotted Purple is a Batesian mimic of the poisonous butterfly called the pipevine swallowtail.
• The female butterfly will deposit her eggs on rose bush foliage. 
• Adults emerge from the pupae roughly two weeks after the larvae hatch.
• Approximately two weeks is the average life span of a Red-Spotted Purple.

#9. Mourning Cloak

One of North America’s most common butterflies is the Mourning Cloak. All 50 states have them, and Canada and Mexico do as well.

One of the longest-living butterfly species, the Mourning Cloak, can have a lifespan of up to 10 Months in some cases.

It may sometimes be difficult to find due to its preference for cold weather and solitary behaviors.

Identifying Features of Mourning Cloak Butterfly 

• The Mourning Cloak butterfly is a large species with a wing span of up to 4 inches.
• Its wings are dark brown with blue dots along the outer edge and a creamy yellow border.
• The underside of the wings is lighter brown and marked with orange.
• Caterpillars are dark in color with white specks and a row of red spots along the back of their bodies.

DIETS:

Mourning Cloak butterflies get nutrition from nectaring on flowers like milkweed, willow, and aster. They also consume sap from cut trees.

HABITATS:

You can look for Mourning Cloak butterflies in woodlands, fields, and backyards when the conditions are right. Streams and rivers are frequent locations for sightings.

Interesting Facts about Mourning Cloak Butterfly

• They have a lot of hair compared to other butterflies. When the temperature lowers below 50 degrees in the spring, the insulation effect of the hairs lets them fly.
• During the colder months, they hibernate to conserve energy.
• They acquire toxins from the plants they eat, making them poisonous to predators.
• Mourning Cloak butterfly caterpillars are often called “hickory worms” due to their preference for hickory trees as a food source.

#10. Giant Swallowtail

The Connecticut Giant Swallowtail is the State’s largest butterfly. This butterfly, which travels north and south annually, overwinters in Connecticut.

The Giant Swallowtail butterfly is stunning, but unfortunately, it is also quite uncommon.

Giant Swallowtail butterflies are migratory; you can find them in Connecticut from the end of summer to the beginning of spring.

Identifying Features of Giant Swallowtail Butterfly 

• With a wing span of up to 7 inches, the Giant Swallowtail butterfly is the biggest in Connecticut.
• It has black wings that are marked with yellow spots. On the underside of the wings, there are blue and orange spots.

DIET: 

The nectar of flowers, like milkweed, azaleas, and lantana, is what the Giant Swallowtail butterfly eats.

The name “citrus swallowtail” comes from the fact that they also eat the leaves of citrus trees.

HABITAT: 

Giant Swallowtail butterflies live in forests, meadows, and gardens, among other places. Streams and rivers are common places to find them.

Interesting Facts about Giant Swallowtail Butterfly

• They are one of Connecticut’s most beautiful butterflies.
• Because their caterpillars are orange and black, they are called “orange dogs.”
• The orange and black spots on the Giant Swallowtail butterfly look like poisonous snake spots, which keep predators away.

#11. Pipevine Swallowtail

The Pipevine Swallowtail is a large butterfly that has blue markings on its wings and black wings overall.

It is a resident butterfly in Connecticut, and the best time to look for it is from late spring through early fall. Because the Pipevine Swallowtail is a poisonous butterfly, its predators stay away from it.

Identifying Features of Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly 

• The wingspan of a Pipevine Swallowtail is between 3 and 4 inches.
• The underside of each of its hind wings is shaped like a pipe, black with green and blue iridescent markings.
• Female hindwings are duller black and have a sub-marginal row of pale spots.

DIETS:

Flowers such as milkweeds, thistles, and asters provide nectar for the Pipevine Swallowtail.

Caterpillars get their toxic diet from the leaves of pipevine plants, which are also toxic to the caterpillars’ predators.

HABITATS:

They are a widespread species of butterfly that can be spotted in woods, fields, and backyards. You can also see them in pastures, gardens, and roadsides.

Interesting Facts about Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly

• They have a powerful flight and can cover great distances.
• Because of its aposematic coloring, potential predators are warned away from the Pipevine Swallowtail.
• The Pipevine Swallowtail is a harmless mimic of the Black Swallowtail.
• The female butterfly deposits her eggs on pipevine leaves. After hatching of the eggs the larvae will start eating the leaves.
• The average life expectancy of a Pipevine Swallowtail is two weeks.

#12. Zebra Swallowtail

Its large size and black-and-yellow-striped wings distinguish the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly.

This butterfly lives in Connecticut all year round, so it’s considered a resident species there.

The Zebra Swallowtail is a stunning butterfly but is more elusive than its Eastern Tiger Swallowtail cousin.

Identifying Features of Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly 

• It can be recognized by its wingspan, which is about 2.5 to 3.5 inches (6.4 to 8.9 cm), and its black and white striped wings, which look like zebra stripes.
• Underneath the wings is a paler yellow with orange markings.
• It also has tails on its back wings that are long and graceful.

DIETS:

The nectar of flowers like red clover, milkweed, asters, and thistles is what Zebra swallowtail butterflies eat.

The name “pawpaw swallowtail” comes from the fact that they also eat the leaves of pawpaw trees. As caterpillars, they like to eat the leaves of pawpaw trees, which is the only plant that will feed them.

HABITATS:

This butterfly lives in various places, from open woods and meadows to riverbanks and gardens. However, you will mostly see them in areas where pawpaw trees grow.

The Zebra Swallowtail has a unique way of protecting itself, which is an interesting fact. When it feels threatened, it often releases a chemical with a bad smell to scare away predators. This makes it less tasty and increases its chances of staying alive.

Interesting Facts about Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly

• The Zebra Swallowtail butterfly has black and yellow stripes that look like the markings of a poisonous snake. This helps to keep predators away.
• Zebra Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars are called “pawpaw worms” because they eat pawpaw trees.
• Because their back wings have long tails, Zebra Swallowtails are sometimes called “kite swallowtails.”

#13. Common Buckeye

In Connecticut, the common buckeye (Junonia coenia) can be seen flying around during the warmer months of the year. They are simple to spot due to their low-flying habits and the fact that they frequent open areas like fields and gardens.

The buckeye’s name comes from the large eye spots on its wings.

The United States is home to three species of buckeye butterflies, the most common of which is simply called the “common buckeye.”

Identifying Features of Common Buckeye Butterfly 

• The Common Buckeye butterfly is about 3 inches long and has wings up to 3 inches wide.
• It has orange wings that are marked with black and white.
• On the underside of the wings, there are black and yellow spots of a lighter orange color.

DIETS:

Common buckeye adults feed on nectar from many different kinds of flowers. Still, they are particularly fond of those belonging to the aster family, such as goldenrod, ironweed, sunflowers, mistflower, asters, coneflowers, and many others.

The name “buckeye butterflies” comes from the fact that they eat the leaves of buckeye trees.

Among the plants that the common buckeye caterpillar enjoys feeding on are the foliage of snapdragons, false fox gloves, plantains, and wild petunias.

HABITATS:

The common buckeye likes to live in fields and meadows that are high and wet. They are also attracted to gardens with flowers like Butterfly Bush, Purple Coneflower, asters, goldenrods, and sedum.

Interesting Facts about the Common Buckeye Butterfly

• The Common Buckeye butterfly’s orange and black markings look like those of a poisonous snake, which keeps predators away.
• Common Buckeye butterfly caterpillars are called “buckeye worms” because they often eat buckeye trees.

 #14. Variegated Fritillary

The Variegated Fritillary butterfly is resident in Connecticut, and it can be found there from the beginning of spring through the beginning of summer.

They are among the most stunning butterflies that can be found in the State.

Identifying Features of Variegated Fritillary Butterfly 

• The Variegated Fritillary butterfly is a medium-sized species with a maximum wing span of 2.5 inches.
• Its orange wings are dotted and lined in black. Black lining can be seen along the wing’s outer edge as well.
• The wings are orange on top and have black and white markings on the underside.
• The larvae of the variegated Fritillary are very small and they range in color from orange to red.

DIETS:

The nectar of various flowers, including violets, pansies, and passionflower, is what the Variegated Fritillary butterfly needs to survive. For the same reason, we refer to them as “violet butterflies”; they enjoy feeding on violet leaves.

The caterpillars of Variegated Fritillary consume a wide range of wildflowers and even plantain as part of their diet.

HABITATS:

Variegated Fritillary butterflies live in many places, such as forests, meadows, gardens, open fields, and disturbed sites. Streams and rivers are common places to find them.

Interesting Facts about Variegated Fritillary Butterfly

• Spiny caterpillars, also known as pansy worms, get their name from the fact that pansies are the plants on which they are most commonly found.
• The black and orange spots on the Variegated Fritillary butterfly mimic the markings of a poisonous snake’s spots, which keeps predators away.
• Because they eat violets, the caterpillars of Variegated Fritillary butterflies are called “fritillary worms.”
• Variegated Fritillary are easily frightened and can be challenging to approach due to their sensitivity.

#15. Sleepy Orange

The charming Sleepy Orange butterfly (Abaeis nicippe), also called the Sleepy Orange Sulphur, can be found in Connecticut. 

There is nothing “sleepy” about a Sleepy Orange’s behavior. The name comes from the shape of the wings rather than the bird’s speed in the air; tiny black crescents on the forewing make them look like closed, “sleeping” eyes.

Identifying Features of Sleepy Orange Butterfly 

• It has a moderate wing span between 1.5 to 2.5 inches (3.8 to 6.4 cm)
• Its wings are a brilliant orange color with dark borders. These are the distinguishing features of this species.
• Its underside wings are a mottled greenish-yellow color, serving as an effective camouflage while resting.

DIETS:

The Sleepy Orange is primarily a nectar feeder, taking in food from flowers such as milkweed, goldenrod, and clover. Caterpillars feed on the leaves of Cassia and Senna and other legume plants.

HABITATS:

You can look for Sleepy Orange butterflies in disturbed sites, fields, roadsides, and agricultural land. 

They also live in open pine woods and edges, scrub, and canyons.

Interesting Facts about Sleepy Orange Butterfly

• Sleepy Orange females lay their eggs near ant nests. The caterpillars make a sugary substance that attracts and rewards the ants, which then protects the caterpillars from predators.
• Adults spend the winter in a state of reproductive hibernation.

#16. Checkered White

The Checkered White butterfly is one of the most common species of butterfly in the State of Connecticut.

From the beginning of spring until the end of fall, you can find them all over the State.

The “checkered” pattern of black and white on the outer wings of a checkered white is the inspiration for the bird’s common name.

The checkered white butterfly goes by two different common names, depending on its life stage.

The adults are considered checkered white by the North American Butterfly Association, while the larvae are known as southern cabbageworm by the Entomological Society of America.

Identifying Features of Checkered White Butterfly 

• White with black and gray markings on the upper side of the wings are more prominent on the female than on the male.
• The female has prominent yellow-brown veins on the underside of her hind wings, while the male’s veins are lighter or absent altogether.
• It has a wing span of 1.25–1.75 inches.
• The mature larva has yellow dorsal, lateral, and sublateral stripes and is bluish-green to grey with black dots.

DIETS:

Mustards, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Virginia peppergrass are some of the plants that the Checkered White likes to eat.

Checkered White butterflies drink nectar from flowers like milkweed, clover, and dandelion. They also consume sap from cut trees.

Checkered white adults aren’t picky eaters and will nectar on as many as 50 different plant species.

HABITATS:

You will see the Checkered White in disturbed, dry open areas like deserts, plains, vacant lots, railroads, airports, dry grassland, agricultural fields, deserts, and urban areas.

Checkered White can occasionally be found in sparsely wooded areas, grasslands, prairie, and meadows, typically in areas without heavy shade.

Interesting Facts about Checkered White Butterfly

• Checkered White butterfly caterpillars are called “cabbage worms” because they eat cabbage plants.
• The butterflies themselves are not poisonous, but their caterpillars are.

Because it pollinates widely and provides a significant food source for a wide variety of vertebrates, the Checkered White butterfly is considered a beneficial insect.

Conclusion: 16 Most Common Butterflies In Connecticut: Pictures And Identifying Features

Through this article, we have learned about the identifying features of the 16 most common butterflies in Connecticut and seen them visualized through captivating pictures.

From grassy fields to beautiful green gardens, the vibrant lives of butterflies in Connecticut bring color and beauty to the state. In addition to fascinating observers of nature and photographers, their presence is essential to the local plant life through pollination.

Knowing how to identify these butterflies will help you develop a greater respect for nature and the work being done to preserve it.