There are 93 species of butterflies you can find in Carroll County, Maryland. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Carroll County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:
Brush-footed Butterflies in Carroll County, Maryland
‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple
A ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a vivid red spot on each wing. They are commonly found in open, sunny areas near water.
American Lady
The American Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The American Lady butterfly is usually found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and gardens.
American Snout
The American Snout butterfly has a black and brown body with a wide white band across the middle of the wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, like meadows and prairies.
Aphrodite Fritillary
Aphrodite Fritillary butterflies are typically orange and black with a white band across their wings. They live in grassy areas and are attracted to light.
Appalachian Brown
The Appalachian Brown butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly that is typically brown or black with a yellow or orange band across its wings. They are found in open, wooded areas throughout the Appalachian Mountains.
Baltimore Checkerspot
The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. It is a member of the Lycaenidae family and has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is native to the Appalachian Mountains and the southeastern United States. It is a butterfly that is attracted to flowers, and its habitat includes open areas with plenty of flowers.
Common Buckeye
The Common Buckeye butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in many different habitats. They can be found in woodlands, meadows, and even gardens. They are usually very active during the day, but can be found flying around at night as well.
Common Wood-Nymph
The Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. The butterfly is usually seen flying around near woodlands or other areas with lots of trees.
Eastern Comma
The Eastern Comma butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. It is a common butterfly and can be found in a variety of habitats, including open fields, forests, and parks.
Gray Comma
The Gray Comma butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in open areas throughout North America. They are known to feed on nectar from flowers, and are often seen flitting around in the early morning or late afternoon.
Great Spangled Fritillary
The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with bright blue wings and a yellow and black pattern on the wings. These butterflies live in open areas, such as meadows and forests, and fly during the day.
Hackberry Emperor
The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the eastern United States. They are usually found in open areas with lots of Hackberry trees, but they can also be found in a variety of other types of habitats.
Little Wood-Satyr
The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is a small, brightly-colored butterfly that inhabits woodlands and forests.
Meadow Fritillary
The Meadow Fritillary butterfly is a small, bright-colored butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in meadows and other open habitats with lots of flowers.
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
The Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a distinctive pattern of blue, yellow, and brown on its wings. They are found in open habitats, including prairies, grasslands, and woodlands.
Monarch
A Monarch butterfly is a beautiful creature with a wingspan of up to 2 feet. They are primarily found in North America, but can also be found in parts of Central America. Their habitat consists of forests and gardens, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Mourning Cloak
Mourning Cloak butterflies are a beautiful dark brown and have a wingspan of about 2 inches. They live in tropical forests and are usually seen flying around at dusk or night.
Northern Pearly-eye
The Northern Pearly-eye butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of almost two inches. The wings are a bright blue with a white border. The butterfly is found in the north-central United States and parts of Canada. It is usually found near streams and rivers where it feeds on nectar.
Painted Lady
A Painted Lady butterfly has bright orange wings with black and white stripes. They are found in gardens and woodlands, and sometimes fly into homes.
Pearl Crescent
The Pearl Crescent butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are mostly brown with a few white spots on their wings. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers.
Question Mark
The Question Mark butterfly looks like a small, black and orange butterfly. It is known to inhabit open areas including grasslands, forests, and gardens.
Red Admiral
The Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright red body and wings. They are found in warm, dry places such as woodlands and open fields.
Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral
The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly found in open habitats throughout the United States. Adults are typically shades of purple, with white spots on the wings. They are typically found near bodies of water, where they feed on nectar.
Regal Fritillary
A Regal Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful insect with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are typically light blue or violet with black markings across their wings. They live in meadows, fields, and forest margins and are attracted to nectar.
Silver-bordered Fritillary
The Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a silver-edged wingspan. They are common in open, sunny areas such as meadows, but can also be found in forested areas. They are attracted to nectar and pollen sources.
Silvery Checkerspot
The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It is found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Tawny Emperor
A Tawny Emperor butterfly has a wingspan of up to 3 inches. It is a beautiful deep brown with an orange band across the middle of each wing. The butterfly is found in tropical forests and is very active early in the morning and at night.
Variegated Fritillary
Variegated Fritillary butterflies are commonly found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and woods. They are also found in gardens and parks.
Viceroy
The Viceroy butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two and a half inches. The wings are a deep purple with a white band running the length of the wing. The habitat of the Viceroy butterfly is tropical rainforests.
White Admiral
The White Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Carroll County, Maryland
American Copper
The American Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open areas with lots of flowers. They are usually seen flying around during the day.
Banded Hairstreak
The Banded Hairstreak butterfly is a colorful butterfly with black markings on its wings. They are found in open areas such as wooded areas and meadows. They are also found near water sources.
Bronze Copper
The Bronze Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the habitat of deciduous and mixed forests. They are usually seen in early morning or late afternoon.
Brown Elfin
The Brown Elfin butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow wings and a brown body. They are found in the forests of North America.
Coral Hairstreak
A Coral Hairstreak butterfly has a bright red, orange, or yellow body with black markings. The wings are a shiny black and the butterfly often rests with its wings outspread. The Coral Hairstreak butterfly lives in warm, dry areas with lots of flowers.
Eastern Pine Elfin
Eastern Pine Elfin butterflies have a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are mostly green, with a brownish hue on their wings. They are found in the eastern United States, and are most common in the Appalachian Mountains. They live in pine forests, where they eat small insects.
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies are predominantly blue in color, with a white tail. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, including fields, gardens, and meadows.
Edwards’ Hairstreak
The Edwards’ Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright blue wings and a white tail. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as prairies.
Gray Hairstreak
Gray Hairstreak butterflies have a wingspan of about 3-4 inches. They have a gray body with a white spot on the wing near the base of the wing. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Harvester
The Harvester butterfly looks like a dark brown or black butterfly with a yellow band across its wings. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to flower nectar.
Juniper Hairstreak
The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. Its wings are marked with dark brown and yellow bands. Its wings are also tipped with white scales. The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly prefers open, sunny areas, such as meadows and forests, where it feeds on nectar from flowers.
Red-banded Hairstreak
A Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that often frequents open areas near water. They are usually light red or pink with a dark band running across their wings. They are usually found in open forests, but can also be found in suburban areas.
Spring Azure
A Spring Azure butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with blue wings and a white underside. They are found in open fields and meadows, as well as in forests. They feed on nectar from flowers.
Striped Hairstreak
The Striped Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and black stripe down its back. They are found in open areas, such as meadows and woodlands, but also in urban areas. They are attracted to flowers, but also eat small insects.
Summer Azure
A Summer Azure butterfly is a vibrant blue with white wings. They are found in summer in open areas such as meadows, fields, and woods.
White-M Hairstreak
The White-M Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in open areas with plenty of sun, such as fields and meadows. They are attracted to flowers, but will also eat insects.
Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Carroll County, Maryland
Black Swallowtail
The Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful creature with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are predominately black except for a yellow band across the middle of their wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are large, colorful butterflies that live in warm, tropical climates. They are typically found in forests, but can also be found in open areas near streams or rivers.
Giant Swallowtail
A Giant Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful insect with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are common in North America, and can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, meadows, and fields.
Pipevine Swallowtail
and the food it eats.
A Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in North America. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The habitat of a Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is open areas with lots of flowers. It eats nectar from flowers.
Spicebush Swallowtail
A Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful insect with a bright green body and brown wings. They inhabit moist areas such as forests and lush gardens, and are common visitors to butterfly gardens.
Zebra Swallowtail
A Zebra Swallowtail butterfly looks like a colorful creature with a wingspan of about three inches. The butterfly lives in warm, tropical areas, such as California, Florida, and the Caribbean. The butterfly frequents flowers, such as bougainvillea and lantana, and is attracted to the colors and scents of these plants.
Skipper Butterflies in Carroll County, Maryland
Black Dash
Black Dash butterflies are typically a dark brown or black, with a metallic sheen. They have a wingspan of around 2 inches. They are found in open areas and forests, where they feed on nectar and pollen.
Clouded Skipper
A Clouded Skipper butterfly looks much like a common butterfly, with a wingspan of about two inches. However, the wings are noticeably clouded with a faint purple sheen. Clouded Skippers prefer humid, open areas with plenty of flowers. They are usually found near streams and rivers.
Common Checkered-Skipper
The Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in open spaces, such as fields and meadows. They are often seen flitting around flowers.
Common Sootywing
A Common Sootywing butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are mostly black with a white and brown band across the wings. They are most common in the summertime, but can be found throughout the year in warm, dry environments. They are usually found in oak and pine forests, as well as other wooded areas.
Crossline Skipper
A Crossline Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a distinctive crossline pattern on its wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as prairies and meadows.
Dreamy Duskywing
The Dreamy Duskywing butterfly ranges from the western Great Lakes region to the eastern seaboard, south to Florida and Texas, and west to the Rocky Mountains. These butterflies are most commonly found in moist open woods, meadows, and prairies, but they are also found near streams and rivers.
Dun Skipper
A Dun Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches, and is mainly brown with white markings. They are found in open habitats with lots of flowers, including meadows, prairies, and marshes.
Dusted Skipper
The Dusted Skipper butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a yellow and black pattern. They live in open habitats such as meadows and prairies.
European Skipper
The European Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including gardens, fields, and forests.
Fiery Skipper
A Fiery Skipper butterfly is bright red with black markings and a black band across its wings. They are found in open habitats with lots of flowers and are usually seen flying around in groups.
Hayhurst’s Scallopwing
The Hayhurst’s Scallopwing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the eastern United States. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The butterfly primarily inhabits wetland habitats, but can also be found near stream edges.
Hoary Edge
A Hoary Edge butterfly has a white forewing with a dark brown band near the base, and a yellow hindwing. They are found in open areas with lots of oak and hickory trees, and they are usually seen in late summer and early fall.
Hobomok Skipper
Hobomok Skipper butterflies have brown wings with darker bands, and have a yellow and brown patch on their wings. They live in open, grassy areas with a lot of flowers.
Horace’s Duskywing
The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a black and brown butterfly that lives in open, wooded areas.
Indian Skipper
The Indian Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open country such as prairies, meadows, and pastures. They are attracted to flowers, but also feed on nectar from other insects.
Juvenal’s Duskywing
A Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a brown and black butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in the eastern United States, primarily in the Appalachian Mountains. They are usually seen flying around bushes and trees.
Least Skipper
Least Skippers are small brown butterflies with a distinctive orange band across their wings. They are found in open, grassy areas with some flowers, such as milkweed.
Little Glassywing
The Little Glassywing butterfly looks like a small, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The butterfly is found in open, grassy areas and flowers near water.
Long Dash
A Long Dash butterfly has large wings that are a deep cobalt blue, with a white band across the middle. They live in warm, moist habitats near running water.
Long-tailed Skipper
A Long-tailed Skipper butterfly looks like a small delicate butterfly with a very long tail. They are found in open habitats with plenty of sunshine, such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Mulberry Wing
A Mulberry Wing Butterfly looks like a colorful butterfly with wings that are shaped like a mulberry leaf. They live in open spaces such as meadows, fields, and forests, and are usually found near water.
Northern Broken-Dash
Northern Broken-Dash butterflies have blue wings with white stripes running the length of each wing. They usually live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, gardens, and fields.
Northern Cloudywing
The Northern Cloudywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. They are commonly found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Ocola Skipper
A Ocola Skipper butterfly is typically a light brown or tan in color, with dark spots on its wings. They are usually found in open areas near water, like marshes and wetlands. They feed on nectar from flowers.
Peck’s Skipper
Peck’s Skipper butterflies are a small, brown butterfly that frequents open areas such as meadows and prairies. They are often seen flitting around flowers, and can be difficult to spot because they are so small.
Sachem
A Sachem butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright blue wingspan. They are found in open, grassy areas and are attracted to nectar.
Silver-spotted Skipper
The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Sleepy Duskywing
The Sleepy Duskywing butterfly is a small, dark butterfly that is typically found in open, grassy areas.
Southern Cloudywing
The Southern Cloudywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. It has a dark brown body with a light brown wing margin. It is found in a variety of open habitats, including oak and pine forests, meadows, and grassy fields.
Swarthy Skipper
The Swarthy Skipper butterfly is a small, black and white butterfly that feeds on nectar from flowers. The habitat of the Swarthy Skipper butterfly is open, sunny areas.
Tawny-edged Skipper
The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. Its wings are light tan with a brown edge. It is found in open areas with a lot of vegetation, such as meadows, woodlands, and gardens.
Wild Indigo Duskywing
A Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly has a wingspan of about three inches, and a bright blue body with a dusky purple-black wing margin. They are found in open habitats with a lot of shrubbery and trees, and can be seen flying around during the day.
Zabulon Skipper
The Zabulon Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically orange, brown, or black and has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in temperate and tropical forests, and are sometimes seen feeding on nectar or pollen.
White and Sulphur Butterflies in Carroll County, Maryland
Cabbage White
The Cabbage White butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly white with a small black spot on the upper wing. They are found mainly in the eastern United States, but can also be found in other parts of the world. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, where they lay their eggs on the flowers.
Clouded Sulphur
The Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen. It is usually found in open, sunny areas like gardens, parks, and meadows.
Cloudless Sulphur
The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. The wings are a light yellow with a purple patch on the top of each wing. The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is found in the eastern United States, from New York to Florida and west to Texas. They are most commonly found in open, sunny areas such as meadows, but can also be found in forests.
Dainty Sulphur
A Dainty Sulphur butterfly is a small, delicate-looking butterfly with a yellow body and black wings. It is common in open, sunny areas such as meadows and fields, and is attracted to nectar.
Falcate Orangetip
The Falcate Orangetip butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a unique pattern on its wings. It is found in a variety of habitats, from tropical rainforests to subtropical premontane forests.
Little Yellow
A Little Yellow butterfly is small and has a yellow and black wings. They live in forests and gardens.
Orange Sulphur
A Orange Sulphur butterfly is a orange and black butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are found in the eastern United States, where they are common in open fields and gardens.
Sleepy Orange
Sleepy Orange butterflies are typically a bright orange in color and have black stripes running along their wings. They are usually found in open areas with a lot of sunlight, such as fields, gardens, and meadows.
That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Carroll County, Maryland. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Maryland? We have lists for each of the 24 counties in the state.