Butterflies in Athens County, Ohio

There are 98 species of butterflies you can find in Athens County, Ohio. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Athens County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:


Brush-footed Butterflies in Athens County, Ohio

‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple

The ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It has a reddish-purple body with a white spot on the middle of each wing. The butterfly lives in open areas near water, such as meadows, fields, and forest edges.

American Lady

The American Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are typically white but can also have brown or black markings on their wings. They are most commonly found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens but can also be found near water.

American Snout

The American Snout butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in open, sunny areas throughout much of North America. They are usually found near water sources, such as ponds, streams, and rivers, where they are attracted to the smell of decaying organic matter.

Aphrodite Fritillary

The Aphrodite Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about three inches. The wings are a light blue with a white fringe, and the butterfly has a pink and black spotted pattern on its wings. The butterflies are found in the mountains of North America, Europe, and Asia. They are attracted to flowers and nectar, and their habitat consists of meadows, forests, and clearings.

Baltimore Checkerspot

The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is typically a yellow and black butterfly. They are found in open areas, such as fields and gardens, and can be seen in the morning or evening.

Carolina Satyr

The Carolina Satyr butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a member of the Nymphalidae family and is found in the southern United States. The Carolina Satyr is most commonly found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as fields, woodlands, and meadows.

Common Buckeye

The Common Buckeye butterfly is a small, brown and black butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens.

Common Wood-Nymph

A Common Wood-Nymph butterfly looks like a small, delicate creature with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are usually brightly coloured, including shades of blue, green, and yellow, and often fly in large flocks. Common Wood-Nymph butterflies usually inhabit dense forests, but can also be found in parks and gardens.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma butterflies are generally small, with black and yellow wings. They are found in warm, humid habitats, such as forests and gardens.

Gemmed Satyr

A Gemmed Satyr butterfly has dark brown wings with lighter markings, and a bright orange “butterfly” on its wings. They live in warm, tropical climates.

Goatweed Leafwing

The Goatweed Leafwing butterfly is a colorful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens.

Gray Comma

The Gray Comma butterfly has a wingspan of about 2-3 inches. It is a delicate butterfly with a grayish-white color and a dark band on the forewing. It is found in open areas with lots of grass, such as meadows, fields, and woods.

Great Spangled Fritillary

The Great Spangled Fritillary is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and black wings. They live in open habitats with plenty of sunshine, such as prairies, meadows, and forests.

Hackberry Emperor

The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is found in the United States and Mexico, and is known for its colorful wings and striking pattern. The Hackberry Emperor butterfly frequents open woodlands and gardens, where it feeds on nectar and pollen.

Little Wood-Satyr

Little Wood-Satyr butterflies are small and colorful, with wings that are a beautiful dark wood color. They live in forests and woodlands, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Meadow Fritillary

A Meadow Fritillary butterfly is typically a bright blue or green with a white border. They are found in meadows, fields, and gardens.

Monarch

A Monarch butterfly is a beautiful creature with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are black and blue with a yellow and black band across their wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Mourning Cloak

The Mourning Cloak butterfly is a black and white butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. It is found in tropical Asia and the Pacific. It lives in forests and gardens, but is also found in disturbed areas.

Northern Pearly-eye

The Northern Pearly-eye butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a bright blue with white markings and the butterfly has a yellow eye. The Northern Pearly-eye butterfly is found in northern forests and gardens.

Painted Lady

The Painted Lady butterfly is a large butterfly with orange and black markings on its wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and prairies.

Pearl Crescent

The Pearl Crescent butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches and is predominantly light brown with darker markings. They are found in open, grassy areas and are commonly seen perched on flowers.

Question Mark

A Question Mark butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is often seen flying around flowers. Habitat refers to the environment in which the butterfly lives, and in this case, it generally lives in open areas near water.

Red Admiral

Red Admiral butterflies are brightly coloured and have a wingspan of up to 2.5 inches. They live in open habitats such as meadows, prairies, and savannas, and are attracted to flowers.

Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral

The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly ranges from North America to South America. They are typically found in open habitats, such as meadows, prairies, and forests.

Regal Fritillary

A Regal Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful and exotic butterfly that can be found in open areas near water. They are typically orange or yellow with black markings on their wings. They are commonly found in Europe, Asia, and North America. They are usually seen flitting around flowers and are commonly considered a beneficial insect.

Silvery Checkerspot

A Silvery Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It can be found in open areas such as meadows, pastures, and prairies.

Tawny Emperor

The Tawny Emperor butterfly ranges from the eastern United States to the west coast of Canada. They are commonly found near forests, but can be found in other areas as well. They arePeriodically found in the larval stage on milkweeds.

Variegated Fritillary

Variegated Fritillary butterflies are usually brightly colored with stripes or patches of different colors. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and forests.

Viceroy

The Viceroy butterfly is a large, brightly coloured butterfly. They are usually found in open, warm habitats, such as semi-deserts, gardens, orchards, and forest edges.


Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Athens County, Ohio

American Copper

The American Copper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2-3 inches. The wings are a rich copper color and the butterfly has a bright blue tail. The American Copper butterfly is found in open woodlands and gardens, where it feeds on flower nectar.

Appalachian Azure

The Appalachian Azure butterfly (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is a species of blue butterfly found in the eastern United States. It is a small butterfly, with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly is mostly blue, with a white band along the outer edge of each wing. It is found in open, grassy areas, such as meadows, fields, and pastures.

Banded Hairstreak

The Banded Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a distinctive band of black spots around its wings. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are usually seen flitting around in groups.

Bronze Copper

The Bronze Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They are commonly found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Coral Hairstreak

The Coral Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly that lives in tropical areas. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches.

Dusky Azure

A Dusky Azure butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a blue-black wingspan. It is found in open habitats with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and prairies.

Eastern Pine Elfin

Eastern Pine Elfin butterflies are typically a dark brown or black color with bright white spots on their wings. They typically inhabit forests and woodlands, but can also be found near streams and other wetlands.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies are blue and white and have a yellow tail. They live in meadows and forests.

Gray Hairstreak

The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly with a gray body and brown wings. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to flower nectar. They are generally active during the day, but are also known to fly at night.

Harvester

A Harvester butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly that feeds on flowers. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers to eat, such as meadows and fields.

Henry’s Elfin

The Henry’s Elfin butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that lives in warm, moist areas of the United States and Mexico. They are found in forests, along rivers, and in other areas with dense understory.

Hickory Hairstreak

The Hickory Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It has a rich brown color with black markings and a white spot on the wing’s center. The butterfly is most commonly found in the Appalachian Mountains, but has been spotted in other parts of the United States. It is believed to live in open forests with lots of standing trees and a variety of flowers.

Red-banded Hairstreak

The Red-banded Hairstreak is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in open, grassy areas throughout North America. They are usually seen flying in groups, and their wings are decorated with bright red bands.

Silvery Blue

A Silvery Blue butterfly is small, with a wingspan of about one inch. It is a blue color, with a metallic sheen. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to nectar.

Spring Azure

The Spring Azure butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a blue-green wingspan. They are found in desert habitats, such as grasslands, cactus paddies, and riparian areas.

Striped Hairstreak

The Striped Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including open areas, forests, and meadows. These butterflies are very active fliers and can often be seen soaring around in the air.

Summer Azure

The Summer Azure is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. They are usually light blue or violet, with a white wingtip. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and prefer warm, sunny days.

White-M Hairstreak

A White-M Hairstreak butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a creamy white with a blue or violet sheen. They are most commonly found in meadows and grasslands, but can also be found in forests and urban areas. They feed on nectar from flowers.


Metalmark Butterflies in Athens County, Ohio

Northern Metalmark

Northern Metalmark butterflies are small, brown and black butterflies with a metallic sheen. They are found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and forests.


Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Athens County, Ohio

Black Swallowtail

The Black Swallowtail butterfly is dark brown with a yellow band across the middle of their wings. They live in the forests of North America.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtails are beautiful butterflies with boldly patterned wings. They are common in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, but can be found in a variety of other habitats as well.

Giant Swallowtail

A Giant Swallowtail butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly that is found in North America. They are typically found in open, grassy areas near rivers or streams. They are also known to be found in gardens and other populated areas.

Pipevine Swallowtail

The Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in North America. It has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a member of the swallowtail family and has a yellow and black body with a bright green and blue tail. Its wings are decorated with alternating black and green stripes. It lives in open areas such as meadows and prairies, but can also be found in forested areas.

Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies are typically a reddish brown color with a black stripe down the center of their wings. They are found in open areas with lots of Spicebush trees, such as meadows and prairies.

Zebra Swallowtail

The Zebra Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with black and yellow stripes on its wings. They are typically found in areas with a lot of flowers, such as meadows and forests.


Skipper Butterflies in Athens County, Ohio

Cobweb Skipper

A Cobweb Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1 1/2 inches. It has a pale brown body with black markings. It is found in forested areas and gardens.

Common Checkered-Skipper

The Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly that lives in open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens.

Common Roadside-Skipper

The Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is brown with a yellow band near the middle of its wings. The butterfly lives in open areas including roadsides, fields, and meadows.

Common Sootywing

A Common Sootywing butterfly typically has a metallic sheen to its wings, and is typically found in open habitats near water.

Crossline Skipper

The Crossline Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly black with a yellow crossline on the wings. They are found in grasslands and open habitats, such as meadows and prairies.

Delaware Skipper

The Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is light green with a yellow-orange band across its wings. They live in open areas, such as meadows and fields, and are most active during the morning and evening.

Dreamy Duskywing

The Dreamy Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is commonly seen in the wild in areas that have a lot of trees and woodland. They are usually seen near water, as they love to drink.

Dun Skipper

The Dun Skipper butterfly is a small, blue butterfly that lives in open habitats such as prairies and meadows.

European Skipper

The European Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are a light blue with a few black spots. The butterfly is found in open areas near rivers and ponds, and prefers to feed on nectar.

Fiery Skipper

A Fiery Skipper butterfly is brightly colored, with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are found in open woodland, meadows, and gardens, where they flutter around looking for flowers to feed on.

Golden Banded-Skipper

The Golden Banded-Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The wings are a bright yellow and the butterflies have a black band around each wing. They are found in the eastern United States, from Maryland to Florida. They live in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, gardens, and fields.

Grizzled Skipper

A Grizzled Skipper butterfly has a dark brown body with a white stripe down its center. They live in moist areas, such as along rivers and in damp woods.

Hayhurst’s Scallopwing

The Hayhurst’s Scallopwing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants.

Hoary Edge

A Hoary Edge butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches, and it is usually found near the edge of woods or in open areas. It is a common butterfly in the eastern United States, but it is also found in other parts of the world.

Hobomok Skipper

The Hobomok Skipper butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 1-1/2 inches. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are usually seen flitting around flowers. Hobomok Skippers are most active during the morning and afternoon hours.

Horace’s Duskywing

The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are found in the eastern United States, and are most common in the Appalachian Mountains. They inhabit wooded areas with lots of flowering plants, and are most active during the morning and evening.

Indian Skipper

The Indian Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It has a light brown body and a dark brown wings. The butterfly lives in open areas, including fields and meadows, and prefers to nectar on flowers.

Juvenal’s Duskywing

Juvenal’s Duskywing butterflies are typically dark brown with white markings on the wings. They are found in open areas with lots of brush and trees, such as in the Appalachian Mountains.

Least Skipper

A Least Skipper is a small butterfly that is usually green or brown with a white band across the middle of its wings. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are often seen perched on flowers.

Leonard’s Skipper

Leonard’s Skipper butterflies are small, brightly-colored butterflies that live in open, grassy areas. They are usually seen flying around flowers.

Little Glassywing

The Little Glassywing butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that is usually found in open, grassy areas.

Mottled Duskywing

The Mottled Duskywing butterfly has a wingspan of about 3 inches. It is mostly dark brown, but has a series of pale stripes on its wings. It is found in open areas, such as prairies and meadows, and can often be seen flying around in the early morning or late afternoon.

Northern Broken-Dash

Northern Broken-Dash butterflies are large, brown butterflies with a broken-dash pattern on their wings. They live in open, grassy areas with lots of flowers.

Northern Cloudywing

Northern Cloudywings are a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. They are typically a light blue or light purple but can also be brown, gray, or even black. They are usually found in forested areas but can also be found in parks and other open areas.

Peck’s Skipper

The Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that typically has a yellow or cream-colored body with black spots or stripes. They are found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and gardens, and sometimes fly near ponds or streams.

Pepper and Salt Skipper

The Pepper and Salt Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1 inch. It is mostly brown, with a wingspan of about 1 inch, and a metallic sheen. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, where they feed on nectar.

Sachem

A Sachem butterfly is typically a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are most commonly found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, but can also be found in woodland areas. They are often attracted to light, and are known to fly close to the ground.

Silver-spotted Skipper

The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It is usually found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, but can also be found near streams and ponds.

Sleepy Duskywing

The Sleepy Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a white crescent on its wing. They are found in the eastern US, Canada and the southern part of the UK. They are usually found in woodlands and gardens.

Southern Cloudywing

A Southern Cloudywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It has a light blue body with a dark blue stripe down its center. It is found in the southern United States, including Florida and Texas. It resides in forests and other areas with lots of trees.

Swarthy Skipper

A Swarthy Skipper butterfly is typically a dark brown and black butterfly. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows.

Tawny-edged Skipper

The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is predominantly dark brown with a lighter edge to its wings. They are found in grasslands, meadows, and other open habitats.

Wild Indigo Duskywing

A Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful and delicate butterfly. They are typically dark blue or black with a bright yellow and orange hindwing. They are found in open, grassy areas and forests.

Zabulon Skipper

The Zabulon Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that lives in warm, dry areas, such as deserts.


White and Sulphur Butterflies in Athens County, Ohio

Cabbage White

A Cabbage White butterfly is a small, delicate looking butterfly that is typically white in color. They are typically found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and woodlands, but can also be found in urban areas. They are attracted to flowers, but are also known to feed on other insects.

Checkered White

A Checkered White butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is light brown on the top and light yellow on the bottom, with rows of black and white stripes. The butterflies live in open spaces, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to nectar.

Clouded Sulphur

A Clouded Sulphur butterfly has a dark brown body with light brown wings. They live in forests and gardens.

Cloudless Sulphur

The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is a green and black butterfly with a yellow band across the wings. They are found in open areas with lots of grass and flowers.

Dainty Sulphur

A Dainty Sulphur butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a small butterfly with a delicate appearance. The wings are a light yellow with a light purple border. The butterfly frequents open areas such as meadows and forests, but can be found near streams and ponds as well.

Falcate Orangetip

The Falcate Orangetip butterfly is a beautiful creature with a wingspan of up to three inches. Its wings are a beautiful bluish-purple and its body is covered in a beautiful iridescent green and brown pattern. These butterflies live in tropical rainforest habitats and feed on nectar from flowers.

Little Yellow

The Little Yellow butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a yellow and black wings. They live in the rainforest and prefer warm, humid environments.

Orange Sulphur

The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange body and wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Sleepy Orange

Sleepy Orange butterflies are typically a dull orange color with black markings. They like to live in wooded areas and are known to be slow fliers.

Southern Dogface

The Southern Dogface butterfly is a beautiful and tiny butterfly that is found in the south-central United States. They are mostly found in prairies and open woodland, but can also be found in gardens and other areas with a lot of sunlight.


That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Athens County, Ohio. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Ohio? We have lists for each of the 88 counties in the state.