Maryland has more than 150 different species of butterflies, making it an excellent destination for anyone interested in butterflies. We will learn about 20 common species of Maryland Butterflies in this guide; the Swallowtail, Monarch, Red Admiral, and Baltimore Checkerspot are among the most common butterfly species, from the tranquil forests to the bustling urban parks in Maryland.
You may learn to enjoy the beauty of Maryland’s butterfly population with the help of this guide, whether you’re an avid nature enthusiast or you are just starting to explore the world of butterflies.
Join me as we look at the identification guide with amazing photos that capture the essence of these Maryland Butterflies.
Also see: Maine Butterflies: 22 Species You Should Know About
20 Common Maryland Butterfly Species
#1. Tiger Swallowtail
Tiger Swallowtails are a common butterfly species in Maryland and may be found in most areas of the state.
Description:
With a wing span of 2.5 to 4.5 inches, the Tiger Swallowtail is somewhat regarded as a large butterfly.
The male is primarily black with a few yellow markings. The female resembles the male but has a yellowish appearance and fewer black markings.
The caterpillar is striped black and yellow over a green background.
Diets:
After emerging from their cocoons, adult Tiger Swallowtail butterflies feed on nectar from flowers, including milkweed, butterfly weed, and asters.
The caterpillar feeds on birch, ash, tulip poplar, and wild cherry tree leaves.
Preferred Habitat:
The caterpillars of the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly live well in sunny areas with flowers and nearby vegetation, which serves as food for the caterpillars.
Tiger Swallowtails are mostly seen flying high over fields, meadows, and nearby streams, so expect to find more of these butterflies in moist environments.
They are regarded as a migratory species; the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly visits Maryland from early May to late August.
The male butterflies are the first to emerge in the spring and will travel north searching for partners.
#2. Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
Description:
The Cabbage White butterfly’s wingspan ranges from 32 to 47 millimeters (1.3 to 1.9 in).
The top wing is milky white, and the tips of the wings are black. There are two black marks in the middle of the forewings of females as well.
The undersides of its wings are yellow and spotted with black.
They have a simple appearance, making people sometimes confuse them as a moth.
Diets:
While they feed on flowers, the adult Cabbage White butterfly feeds on the pollen of plants like dandelions, clover, and mustard.
The caterpillars are called Cabbage worms because of their destructive tendency, and they eat nasturtium, cabbage, broccoli, kale, and other cruciferous plants.
Preferred Habitat:
The Cabbage White butterfly lives in almost any habitat in Maryland. However, they prefer open, sunny areas with flowers and nearby vegetation for the caterpillars to feed on.
You will spot them in gardens, fields, and along roadsides.
Behavior:
The Cabbage White butterfly is a fast-flying butterfly often fluttering around flowers.
Males are very protective of their feeding grounds and will chase off other males if they try to invade.
There can be several generations of Cabbage White butterflies in a single year because this species is multivoltine.
If you are going on Butterfly field trips in Maryland, ensure you go from March through October, when you will find plenty of Cabbage White butterflies in Maryland.
#3. Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
The monarch butterfly is one of Maryland’s most recognized species.
Description:
The wingspan of a mature Monarch butterfly is between 3.5 and 4.5 inches.
Orange with black veins and white dots decorate the upper wings. There are black dots on the lighter orange underwings. Each male’s back wing has a black spot.
Diet:
Adult Monarch butterflies will feed on the nectar of flowers such as milkweed, butterfly weed, and asters.
The caterpillar eats the leaves of milkweed plants, which is their only food source.
Preferred Habitat:
From April through October, Maryland is home to a flutter of colorful monarch butterflies.
You’ll find their highest concentrations in the state’s eastern half, close to milkweed plants.
If you’re looking for a site to watch Monarch butterflies in Maryland, consider these options:
- The Park at Patapsco Valley
- State Park at Gunpowder Falls
- National Wildlife Refuge at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Chesapeake Bay
- The National Aquarium in Baltimore
Behavior:
The monarch butterfly has a large wing span and can fly great distances.
They have a soft spot for floral patterns and vivid hues.
Monarch butterflies in Maryland can be seen in two main waves:
The first wave arrives in April and May, and these butterflies are the offspring of those overwintered in Mexico.
The second wave arrives in July and August, and these butterflies are the offspring of those that migrated from the north.
Suppose you want to help in butterfly conservation in Maryland. In that case, you will plant milkweed in your garden as that is the only food for the Monarch caterpillars.
#4. Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
The Maryland Red Admiral butterfly is one of the most widespread butterflies in Maryland.
Description:
It has a velvety black wings with a vivid red-orange stripe and a wingspan of 2.5 to 3 inches.
White markings on its wings stand out against the dark background. The butterfly’s mottled brown and gray underbelly helps it camouflage at rest.
The Red Admiral’s antennae have distinct white stripes, making identification easier.
Diet:
The Red Admiral butterfly gets its nutrition mostly from flower nectar and is attracted to asters, milkweed, and clover.
These nectar-rich flowers are the adult butterfly’s primary food source, powering its flight and other behaviors.
Red admire also enjoy eating over ripped fruits.
Preferred Habitat:
In Maryland, you can look for Red Admirals in gardens, meadows, open forests, and urban areas.
They live in both rural and suburban areas because of their extensive range.
Behavior:
Red Admirals fly actively and agilely. They move quickly and unexpectedly.
They hover while sucking nectar from flowers with their lengthy proboscis.
They’re not shy, but their fast movements and vast variety of areas make them elusive.
You will spot Red Admirals in Maryland in spring and October. They are among the first spring butterflies to emerge as the temperature warms.
#5. Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
The Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful and unique species that you will see in Maryland.
Description:
Its wingspan is only approximately 2.5–3 inches. Still, its wings’ vibrant colors and intricate patterns are enough to catch anyone’s eye.
Painted Lady has orange, black, and white markings on the upper half of its wings. The orange markings are bordered with black, and there are white splotches at the very tips of its forewings.
The butterfly’s undersides are more subdued, with mottled brown and gray tones, allowing it to blend into its environment.
Diet:
Painted Lady butterflies get their energy mainly from nectar, which they find in the flowers they visit.
They have been observed in thistles, asters, clover, and milkweed, among other flowers.
Adult butterflies get most of their energy from nectar.
Preferred Habitat:
If you are on a Butterfly watching in Maryland, look for Painted Lady at gardens, meadows, fields, open forests, and even urban areas.
They are typical sights for many people since they are highly adaptable and thrive in rural and suburban environments.
Behavior:
Painted Lady butterflies display a vibrant and elegant flight pattern.
They are among the most widely spread butterflies due to their reputation for extended migrations.
Their wings beat rapidly in flight, letting them hop quickly from flower to flower in search of nectar.
They are not particularly shy and they can be observed at close range, especially when engrossed in feeding or sunning themselves.
Typically spotted in the warmer months of spring, summer, and early autumn, Painted Lady butterflies are a seasonal resident in Maryland.
Spring and summer are prime times for Painted Ladies to journey north to Maryland.
#6. Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
Description:
The Maryland Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) butterfly has a wingspan of 3–4 inches, dark hues, and colorful patterns.
The upper side of its wings is deep bluish-black with rows of brilliant orange markings. Its hindwings have vivid blue crescents.
The butterfly blends into its surroundings with its mottled brown and greenish-gray underwings.
Diets:
The caterpillars get nutrition and chemical defenses from spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and sassafras (Sassafras albidum) leaves.
They mainly eat milkweed, phlox, and thistle nectar as adults.
Preferred Habitat:
They favor spicebush and sassafras habitats. These butterflies can be seen in natural and farmed areas around the state.
Behavior:
Males patrol their territories to find females. Mud puddling helps them get minerals and nutrients from damp soil.
Spring to early September is when the Spicebush Swallowtail can be found in Maryland.
After pupating, butterflies become adults in spring. They fly from late March to October, peaking in summer. Temperature and other environmental conditions affect their emergence and activity.
#7. Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
The tiny and lovely Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) butterfly is unique to Maryland and has some distinguishing characteristics.
Description:
It is tiny, with a wing span of only 1–1.5 inches.
Its upper wings have a vibrant orange backdropwith black dots and markings. The butterfly gets its name from the white crescent-shaped spots that frequently appear at the apex of its wings, framed by a black border.
When at rest, the butterfly’s wings can blend into the background because of the muted coloring on the undersides.
Diets:
The Pearl Crescent butterfly’s primary diet consists of nectar from several flower species.
You will see them around plants from asters and goldenrods to daisies.
Adult butterflies get most of their energy from nectar.
Preferred Habitat:
The Pearl Crescent butterfly is widely distributed across Maryland, and you will spot them in both rural and suburban settings.
You may usually find them close to any plant that produces nectar, so keep an eye out for flowers if you are a Maryland butterfly enthusiast.
Behavior:
Pearl Crescent butterflies are known for their swift flight and are frequently spotted flitting from flower to flower in search of nectar.
Pearl Crescent butterflies rest with their wings folded up when they are not eating, revealing their camouflaging pattern of mottled brown and gray when they do so.
The Pearl Crescent butterfly is a seasonal visitor to Maryland, appearing between spring and fall.
During the spring and summer, when there are many flowering plants around, they are most visible.
#8. Orange Sulphur Butterfly (Colias eurytheme)
The Maryland Orange Sulphur is a small, colorful butterfly recognized for its vivid patterns.
Description:
It has a wing span of 1.5–2 inches and is covered in orange and yellow tones.
The upper surface of a male’s wing is usually brilliant orange. In contrast, the upper surface of a female’s wing is typically pale yellow with a row of black markings at the borders.
When at rest, the butterfly’s lighter, mottled underside wings help it blend into its surroundings.
Diets:
The Orange Sulphur feeds mainly on nectar from many kinds of flowers.
It prefers flowers with a more open design to stick its proboscis inside. Clover, asters, daisies, and similar flowering plants are good places to find nectar for this butterfly.
Preferred Habitat:
Various environments in Maryland are home to the Orange Sulphur butterfly. These include open fields and meadows, gardens, and even the edges of roadways.
It’s a species that can make its home in the city or the country. You can find them among flowering plants and other open locations with plenty of nectar.
Behavior:
Orange Sulphur butterfly is a fast and quick flyer. As they dart rapidly from flower to flower, flashing their brilliant colors, they eat on nectar.
It’s common to see them resting vertically on leaves or other surfaces with their wings folded. Because their mottled undersides are similar in texture to leaves and flora, this helps in camouflage.
The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a seasonal visitor to Maryland, appearing between the waning days of summer and the first frost.
They become active in the spring and summer when there is an abundance of flowers that provide a nectar source for them.
#9. Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a medium-sized species that you can see found in Maryland.
Description:
You will recognize this butterfly by its large size (1.5–2.5 inches in wingspan).
Its upper wings are a dark brown, and it has a silver metallic speck roughly in the forewing’s middle.
White dots line the outer edges of the wings. The wings’ undersides are similarly marked with white spots but are a lighter shade of brown.
Diets:
The Silver-spotted Skipper is predominantly a nectar-feeding butterfly. Their favorite flowering plants are thistles, milkweed, clover, and dogbane.
Preferred Habitat:
You will spot this butterfly in open woods, fields, gardens, and forest edges.
These butterflies are widely distributed and equally at home in the city and the countryside.
Behavior:
Silver-spotted Skippers are powerful and agile fliers that dart rapidly from blossom to flower in search of nectar.
Their quick and erratic flight pattern has become instantly recognizable.
They like to rest with their wings half open, showcasing that silver spot, while not feeding.
They are easy to get close to and study in their natural habitat.
The Silver-spotted Skipper is a seasonal insect in Maryland from late spring to early fall.
You can spot these butterflies when the weather is warm enough in the early fall.
#10. Eastern Comma butterfly (Polygonia comma)
Description:
It is a little butterfly measuring 1.5–2.5 inches across its wings.
Its upper wings are a kaleidoscope of orange, brown, and black.
The butterfly gets its name from the white comma-shaped spot near the tip of its mottled forewings.
The edges of the hind wings are jagged, like a leaf. The wings’ undersides are darker and mimic a fallen leaf for added stealth.
Diets:
The Eastern Comma butterfly consumes decaying fruit, sap, and floral nectar as primary food sources.
Sap flows from trees are particularly appealing because they contain the sugars and nutrients they need to survive.
Energy can also be derived from the nectar of flowers like asters, clover, and thistles.
Preferred Habitat:
The Eastern Comma butterfly can be spotted in various Maryland ecosystems, from woods and forest borders to gardens and parks.
It thrives in places with abundant trees and flowering plants from which it can collect sap.
The favorite host plants of the Eastern Comma caterpillars are Nettle and Elm Trees.
Behavior:
A steady, methodical flight characterizes Eastern Comma butterflies.
They frequently rest with their wings folded on foliage, tree trunks, or the ground. Their mottled colors and ragged wing margins make them look like fallen leaves, allowing them to hide from predators.
The Eastern Comma butterfly is a seasonal visitor to Maryland, appearing primarily between spring and October.
Sometimes, you can spot them in the early fall before the weather becomes too cold.
#11. Common Buckeye Butterfly (Junonia coenia)
Description:
The Common Buckeye butterfly is of average size, with a wing span of 1.5–2.5 inches. Its upper wings are an eye-catching combination of orange, brown, black, and white.
A row of huge eyespots runs along the outer edges of the forewings, much like the eyes on a peacock’s tail feathers.
The tiny eyespots on the hind wings are shaped like a metallic blue crescent. The wings’ undersides are more muted, with a mottled brown and gray camouflage pattern.
Diets:
The Common Buckeye butterfly prefers to nectar on several flowers like asters, milkweed, clover, tickseed sunflower, gumweed, chickory and thistles.
Common Buckeye caterpillar’s preferred food plants are plantain (Plantago spp.), Gerardia (Gerardia spp.), Snapdragon (Antirrhinum spp.), and Toadflax (Linaria spp.)
Preferred Habitat:
Common Buckeye butterflies live in both urban and rural environments, so if you live in the cities, you will see them on roadsides in Maryland.
You can also spot Buckeye butterflies in fields, meadows, open woodlands, gardens and near flowers including other nectar sources.
Behavior:
Common Buckeye butterflies are elegant and lively fliers. They show off their brilliant colors and distinctive eyespots by flying in unpredictable patterns while sipping nectar, so they are difficult to watch closely.
They look like leaves, can blend in with their surroundings, and avoid predators because of their mottled undersides and eyespots.
The Common Buckeye butterfly is a seasonal resident of Maryland, appearing between spring and October.
Even before the season’s first frost, it is common to see common buckeyes.
#12. Question Mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)
The Question Mark butterfly is a common sight in Maryland, Known for its unusual wing form and markings.
Description:
They are not too big or too small, with a wing span of about 2.5-3 inches. It has dark streaks and lines on its wings’ orange and brown upper side.
Question Mark butterfly gets its name from the curving line on its forewings, which looks like a question mark.
The butterfly’s undersides are less vibrant, taking on a speckled appearance that aids in camouflage.
Diets:
The Question Mark butterfly consumes decaying fruit, sap, and floral nectar as its primary food sources.
Sap flows from trees are particularly appealing because they contain the sugars and nutrients they need to survive.
Energy can also be derived from the nectar of other flowers, such as thistles, clover, and asters.
Preferred Habitats:
The Question Mark butterfly lives in moist woodland, forest edges, gardens, and parks.
It thrives in places with abundant trees and flowering plants from which it can collect sap.
You will see the Question Mark caterpillars in areas where their preferred host plants, which are elm trees and nettle, are present.
Behavior:
The fluttering motions of their flying are easily recognizable. They close their wings and rest by perching their feet on a surface like a leaf or a tree trunk.
Their concealment relies on their mottled undersides and wing patterns, which make them look like dead leaves.
The question mark butterfly can be spotted in Maryland from late spring to early October.
They appear during the spring and summer months when there are many flowering plants.
Sometimes, you can spot them in the early fall before the weather becomes too cold.
#13. Red-spotted Purple butterfly (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
Description:
The Red-spotted Purple butterfly is native to Maryland. It’s a rather sizable butterfly, with a wing span of 2.5–4 inches.
It has glossy black wings on top that are scaled with blue iridescence.
The butterfly gets its name from the large blue dots on the hind wings and the row of red markings down the borders.
The undersides of the wings are mottled brown and help the butterfly blend in with the environment by resembling fallen leaves.
Diets:
Regarding nutrition, the Red-spotted Purple butterfly consumes decaying fruit, sap, and floral nectar.
Sap flows from trees are particularly appealing because they contain the sugars and nutrients they need to survive.
Energy can also be derived from the nectar of other flowers, such as thistles, clover, and milkweed.
Preferred Habitats:
The Red-spotted Purple butterfly is distributed widely over Maryland, from wooded areas and forest margins to gardens and parks.
You will easily spot them near trees and bushes with abundant nectar and sap flows. Try looking in both rural and metropolitan areas.
Behavior:
They have a unique gliding flight pattern. They close their wings and rest on leaves, branches, or other surfaces.
These butterflies’ speckled undersides and wing markings make them look like decaying leaves, making them difficult to spot by potential predators.
The Red-spotted Purple Butterfly is a seasonal visitor to Maryland between late spring and early fall. They appear during the spring and summer months when there are many flowering plants.
Even before winter sets in, you may be able to spot one in the early fall.
#14. Mourning Cloak Butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa)
The Mourning Cloak butterfly of Maryland is a striking and beautiful species due to its dark coloring and unusual wing form.
Description:
It is a medium to large butterfly with a wingspan of 2.5 to 4 inches.
The tops of its wings are a rich, velvety black, and the edges are spotted with iridescent blue.
Lighter maroon, cream, and brown tones combine on the wing undersides, including a row of brilliant iridescent dots.
The wings are jagged, like the frayed and worn edges of an old sheet.
Diets:
The Mourning Cloak butterfly loves to feed on decaying fruit, tree sap, and nectar.
Attracting Mourning Cloak butterflies to your garden requires leaving overripe fruits in your yards.
Sap flows from trees are a great source of diet for these wild butterflies because they contain sugars and nutrients they need to survive.
Thistle, dandelion, and milkweed nectar, among others, are consumed by Mourning Cloak butterflies.
Preferred Habitats:
The Mourning Cloak butterfly can be spotted in various Maryland ecosystems, from deciduous forests to gardens and parks.
It frequents treed areas with abundant nectar and sap flows.
Try looking in rural and metropolitan areas like yards, parks, and golf courses.
Behavior:
Mourning Cloak butterflies’ preference for cold weather and solitary lifestyle will make it difficult to see them in Maryland.
When Mourning Cloaks are resting with their wings folded, you will easily miss spotting them because of the camouflage behavior.
Mourning Cloak butterflies have a long life span; it has been recorded that some adults live up to 10 months.
#15. Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
The Viceroy butterfly is a stunningly beautiful species found in Maryland. It is commonly confused with the Monarch butterfly because of their superficial similarities.
Description:
It is a relatively large butterfly with a wing span of 2.5–3.5 inches.
Black veins and white markings are on the upper surface of its orange wings.
There is a thin white stripe along the outer edge of the black border on the hind wings.
A distinct pattern of black lines on the undersides of the wings is used to differentiate Viceroy from the Monarch butterfly.
The Viceroy caterpillar is also different from that of the Monarch. Viceroy Caterpillars are greenish-brown and have two horn-like antennae on their heads.
Diets:
The Viceroy butterfly’s diet consists mainly of nectar from flowers. It enjoys feeding on milkweed, thistles, and goldenrods, among other flowering plants. Their primary source of fuel is nectar.
Preferred Habitats:
The Viceroy butterfly can be seen across Maryland in open fields, meadows, gardens, and the edges of forests.
It thrives in environments with a variety of flowering plants and nectar-rich foods.
You will also find Viceroy Butterflies in cities and suburban areas.
Behavior
The Viceroy butterfly’s behavior entails a graceful fluttering around flowers where it feeds on nectar.
They close their wings and rest by perching on leaves, branches, or other surfaces. The dark margins of the hind wings are visible because they are maintained slightly open at rest.
#16. Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
The Hackberry Emperor butterfly, a native butterfly of Maryland, it is a small, visually striking species.
Description:
The wingspan of this butterfly is only about 2 to 2.75 inches.
Its upper wings are patterned with dark lines and patches on a brown and orange background.
Common features are a white spot in the middle of the forewings and a row of more minor white spots on the hindwings.
The wings’ undersides are camouflaged in lighter brown and covered in complex designs.
Diets:
Regarding nutrition, the Hackberry Emperor butterfly consumes mostly decaying fruit and tree sap.
They are not picky when it comes to eating, so they get the minerals they need to survive in rocks, soil, and even road surfaces.
It feeds almost exclusively on the sugar and minerals found in the sap of hackberry trees (Celtis species).
Preferred Habitats:
The Hackberry Emperor butterfly can be spotted around Maryland, from woods and forest edges to fields and open fields.
Try looking around hackberry trees, where you will easily find the Hackberry Emperor butterfly.
Behavior
Hackberry Emperor Butterflies are nimble fliers that flit low to the ground and land frequently to rest. “Puddling” refers to their custom of huddling together on wet soil for food and nourishment.
They frequently rest with their wings held together at an upward angle.
The spring and summer are prime times for their appearance and activity.
Sometimes, you can see them in the early fall before the colder weather sets in.
Hackberry Emperor Butterflies can be found throughout the outdoors, but they are most commonly seen near hackberry trees.
#17. Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
Description:
The Aphrodite Fritillary butterfly is a relatively large butterfly with a wing span of 2.5–3.5 inches.
Its upper wings are covered in a dazzling pattern of orange and black.
The forewings are orange and covered in a pattern of black veins. At the same time, the hindwings are similarly colored but feature a row of black spots along the outer margin.
The undersides of the wings are more subdued in color, appearing mottled brown and gray for camouflage.
Diets:
The Aphrodite Fritillary caterpillar feeds on the leaves of various species of violets, including viola rotundifolia, viola palustris, viola adunca, viola sororia.
The adult Aphrodite Fritillary butterfly feeds on the nectar of a variety of flowers, including milkweed, Ironweed, red clover, purple coneflower
Preferred Habitats:
This beautiful butterfly can be spotted in Maryland’s open fields, pastures, and meadows.
You can find them in regions with many flowers and in the wild.
You will plant milkweed, butterfly weed, thistles, or goldenrod to attract Aphrodite Fritillary butterflies to your garden.
Behavior:
Aphrodite Fritillary butterflies are nimble fliers that frequently hover near the ground.
They rest by closing their wings and perching on grasses, leaves, or other surfaces. The speckled patterns on their undersides aid their ability to conceal themselves and elude predators.
Aphrodite Fritillary are migratory butterflies; they appear during the spring and summer months when there are many flowering plants.
#18. Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
The Common Wood-Nymph butterfly in Maryland is described as being both understated and endearing.
Description:
The wingspan of this butterfly is between 2 to 3 inches.
Its upper wings are a dull orange and brown, with a row of eye dots around the outer borders.
The eye spots stand out due to their contrast between the dark center and the lighter ring around it.
The wings’ undersides are a lighter shade of brown with a complex speckled pattern that aids in concealment.
Diets:
Common Wood-Nymph butterflies get nutrition from decaying fruit and plants but sometimes eat floral nectar.
It likes to visit thistles, clover, and asters, among other flowering plants.
Kentucky bluegrass is one of the caterpillar’s favorite host plants.
Preferred Habitats:
Meadows, grasslands, open woodlands, and forest borders are all excellent places to look for the Common Wood-Nymph butterfly in Maryland.
Seeing them in places with flowering plants and good perching locations is expected.
You can find them resting on vegetation in natural environments.
Behavior:
Common Wood-Nymph butterflies are known for their quick flight and tendency to hover low to the ground when nectar-feeding.
They fly peculiarly, with rapid, unpredictable movements.
Grass, leaves, and other surfaces provide comfortable perches to rest on with their wings spread open.
Common Wood-Nymph butterflies are primarily spotted in Maryland from late spring to early fall.
They appear during the spring and summer months when there are many flowering plants.
During their active seasons, you can spot Common Wood-Nymph butterflies flitting through flowers and grasses and resting on various outdoor surfaces.
#19. Clouded Sulphur
The Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful and familiar sight in Maryland and other parts of North America. This butterfly’s bright yellow wings and delicate cloud-like patterns are a welcome splash of color in the garden.
Description:
The average wing span of a Clouded Sulphur is 1.75 to 2.75 inches.
The males are easily distinguished by their brighter yellow wings with a more distinct cloudy pattern than the females.
Clouded Sulphur gets its name from the delicate gradation of lemon yellow and creamy white on the upper side of its wings.
Clouded Sulphur are remarkable because of a phenomenon called dimorphism, in which they can appear in both a common yellow form and a rare white form known as “alba.”
This diversity adds a new level of mystery to the experience of spotting these butterflies in the wild for admirers.
Preferred Habitats:
You will see Clouded Sulphur flying around in search of nectar from plants like clover and asters; these butterflies are familiar sights in open areas, meadows, gardens, and by the side of roadways.
You will often see them in the same areas where their look-alike Orange Sulphur is present, but their flight, which is usually shaky, will make you quickly notice them from where their Orange Sulphur with jerky flight patterns are.
#20. Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
The Black Swallowtail butterfly is a magnificent species flying over Maryland.
Description:
The Black Swallowtail butterfly, whose wingspan is about 3 to 4 inches, is a stunning example of clashing hues.
Its upper wings’ borders are a brilliant yellow band, and the center is iridescent blue.
The females also display a distinct morph called the “black form,” distinguished by more extensive black pigmentation on the wings.
The caterpillar’s first resemblance to a bird dropping acts as camouflage, hiding it from potential predators.
As it develops, it changes into a remarkable creature with distinctive bands of green, black, and yellow spots, demonstrating the inventiveness of nature.
Diets:
Black Swallowtails are drawn to the sweet nectar of flowers and regularly stop to sip on plants in the garden.
The parsley, dill, and fennel from the carrot family are the primary hosts for the Black Swallowtail butterfly.
Habitats and Behavior:
The flight of the Black Swallowtail butterfly is like a graceful dance. Flying from blossom to flower, this butterfly is a common sight in backyards, fields, and meadows.
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Conclusion: Maryland Butterflies: 20 Common Species With ID Guide And Pictures
Maryland is home to a diverse population of butterflies, with over 150 Butterfly species in Maryland. In this guide, we have provided an overview of 20 of the most common butterflies in Maryland.
We have also included an identification guide to make the journey of Maryland butterfly identification as easy as possible. Butterfly species pictures were made available to help you learn to recognize these Maryland Butterflies.
Maryland Butterflies range in size, color, and pattern. They can be found in various habitats, from forests to meadows to gardens.
We hope this guide has helped you learn more about Maryland Butterflies.