There are 119 species of butterflies you can find in Carson City County, Nevada. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Carson City County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:
Brush-footed Butterflies in Carson City County, Nevada
American Lady
The American Lady butterfly is a colorful butterfly that lives in open areas such as fields and gardens.
Arizona Sister
The Arizona Sister butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with orange markings on the wings. The butterfly lives in the desert and is attracted to flowers.
California Crescent
The California Crescent butterfly is a colorful butterfly that can be found in the California coastal scrub and chaparral. They are active during the daytime and can be found on flowers and nectar.
California Sister
The California Sister butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in the Western US and parts of Canada. The habitat of the California Sister butterfly is open areas with lots of flowers.
California Tortoiseshell
The California Tortoiseshell butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are found in open areas and woodlands throughout California. They feed on nectar from flowers, and their larvae eat small insects.
Callippe Fritillary
The Callippe Fritillary butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in open country, including meadows, fields, and forests.
Chalcedon Checkerspot
A Chalcedon Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful reddish-orange butterfly that frequents open areas near streams and moist forests. They are usually seen flitting about in search of nectar.
Chryxus Arctic
The Chryxus Arctic butterfly is a small, dark butterfly with a bright orange band across its wings. They primarily inhabit tundra habitats, but can also be found in open meadows and woods.
Common Buckeye
The Common Buckeye butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. It is a common sight in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and can be found flying around during the day. The butterfly prefers to stay close to water, which is where it can be found drinking.
Common Ringlet
The Common Ringlet butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It has a dark brown body with a light brown band across the wings. It is found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Common Wood-Nymph
The Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that lives in warm, humid forests.
Coronis Fritillary
The Coronis Fritillary butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically black with a yellow band across the wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, woodlands, and prairies.
Edith’s Checkerspot
Edith’s Checkerspot butterflies are a beautiful orange and black butterfly that lives in meadows and fields. They are usually seen flitting around flowers.
Field Crescent
The Field Crescent butterfly is a small, brightly coloured butterfly that is usually seen flitting around near fields. They are usually found in open, grassy areas, but can also be found near forests.
Fulvia Checkerspot
A Fulvia Checkerspot butterfly looks like a delicate, colorful butterfly with a checkerboard pattern on its wings. It is found in open, sunny areas, such as fields and meadows, and often feeds on nectar.
Great Basin Fritillary
A Great Basin Fritillary butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly that is often found hovering near flowers. They are typically light brown or tan in color with a white wingtip and a black stripe down the center of their wings. They are most commonly found in the Great Basin region of the United States, where they prefer open, grassy areas.
Great Basin Wood-Nymph
The Great Basin Wood-Nymph butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that resides in the Great Basin region of the United States. The habitat of the Great Basin Wood-Nymph butterfly is dry, open woodlands.
Great Spangled Fritillary
The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a distinctive pattern of yellow and black spots on its wings. The butterfly lives in open, grassy areas and is often seen flitting around flowers.
Green Comma
The Green Comma butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in open areas across North America. They are mostly found in grasslands, but can also be found in forests and other wooded areas.
Hoary Comma
A Hoary Comma butterfly looks like a large, white butterfly with a brown comma on its wings. They live in woodlands and prairies, and are attracted to light.
Hoffmann’s Checkerspot
The Hoffmann’s Checkerspot butterfly is a bright orange-red butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats across North America. They are commonly found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, but can also be found in suburban areas and even inside buildings.
Leanira Checkerspot
The Leanira Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. They are small, with a wingspan of only about 2 inches. They are mainly blue with a white border, and are often seen flitting about among the flowers.
Lorquin’s Admiral
The Lorquin’s Admiral butterfly is a large butterfly with striking black and orange markings. They are found in warm, tropical climates throughout the world. They are usually found in open areas with plenty of flowers to feed on.
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
The Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the tropical jungles of Central and South America. It has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches and is mostly black, with a cream-colored area on the wing’s top edge. The butterfly is attracted to flowers, and is often seen perched on a stem or leaf.
Monarch
Monarchs are beautiful orange and black butterflies with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are found all over North America, from the Arctic tundra to the tropical rainforest. Monarchs prefer warm, sunny areas with plenty of nectar sources, and they often rest on tree branches or in flower garlands.
Mormon Fritillary
A Mormon Fritillary butterfly has a bright orange body with black spots, and a black tail. They live in meadows and prairies, and are attracted to nectar from flowers.
Mourning Cloak
A Mourning Cloak butterfly has a wingspan of about one inch, a bright orange and black body, and a black band running along the top of its wings. They are found in open, grassy areas, and often feed on nectar.
Mylitta Crescent
A Mylitta Crescent butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is usually found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and marshes.
Nokomis Fritillary
The Nokomis Fritillary butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a light brown with a scattering of dark brown spots. The butterflies inhabit open areas with a lot of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Northern Checkerspot
The Northern Checkerspot butterfly is a colorful butterfly that can be found in warm, dry habitats across North America. The butterfly has a wingspan of about three inches and is distinguished by its bright orange and black wings.
Pacific Fritillary
The Pacific Fritillary butterfly is a tiny, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of just over one inch. They are found mainly in the Pacific Northwest, but have also been spotted in California and Baja California. They are very active fliers and are often found hunting near stream or river edges. They prefer open, sunny areas, but can also be found in forests and gardens.
Painted Lady
The Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and black wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Queen
A Queen butterfly is one of the larger species of butterflies and can be found in many different habitats. They are usually found near water, but can also be found in forests and open fields.
Red Admiral
The Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright red body and wings. They are found in open habitats with plenty of flowers, including gardens and parks. They are usually seen flitting around in the air.
Ridings’ Satyr
The Ridings’ Satyr butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. The butterfly has a brown body with a black border. The wings have a distinctive ridges pattern. The butterfly is found in open areas with scattered trees and bushes.
Sagebrush Checkerspot
Sagebrush Checkerspot butterflies inhabit sagebrush habitats. They are mostly seen in the southwestern United States, but also occur in parts of northern Mexico. They are small, colorful butterflies that fly during the day.
Satyr Comma
A Satyr Comma butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches, and is mostly brown with a row of white spots across the middle of each wing. They are found in areas with dense undergrowth and high moisture levels, such as along riverbanks and in moist forests.
Small Wood-Nymph
Small Wood-Nymph butterflies look like small, brown and white butterflies. They are found in open woods and meadows.
West Coast Lady
West Coast Lady butterflies are typically large, with orange wings and black markings. They are found in coastal areas of North America, from British Columbia to California. They are often found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Zerene Fritillary
Zerene Fritillary butterflies look like colorful butterflies with white and black stripes on their wings. They live in open, grassy areas with flowers, and are common in warmer parts of the world.
Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Carson City County, Nevada
Acmon Blue
The Acmon Blue butterfly has a bright blue body with a light blue wing border. They inhabit open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Arrowhead Blue
The Arrowhead Blue butterfly is a small, blue butterfly with a white “arrow” on its wing. They live in open, sunny areas, such as meadows, prairies, and grasslands.
Behr’s Hairstreak
The Behr’s Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with bright colors. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows.
Blue Copper
A Blue Copper butterfly is a beautiful insect that is found in the forests of North America. They are a metallic blue in color with a white wingtip. They are found in open areas near streams and rivers.
Boisduval’s Blue
The Boisduval’s Blue butterfly is a small butterfly that is usually blue in color. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Brown Elfin
The Brown Elfin butterfly is a slender butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. The butterfly has a light brown body and a dark brown wing. The butterfly is found in open, wooded areas with plenty of flowers.
California Hairstreak
The California Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly has a light brown body with a white or cream-colored line down its center of the wings. The butterfly lives in habitats with oak trees and other plants that have soft, fluffy leaves.
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies are beautiful creatures with blue wings and tails. They are found in open areas such as meadows and fields.
Edith’s Copper
Edith’s Copper butterflies are small and brown with a metallic sheen. They live in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and woodlands.
Golden Hairstreak
A Golden Hairstreak butterfly is typically a vibrant yellow and brown color, with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They prefer to live in deciduous forests, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Gray Hairstreak
The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that usually has a gray or light blue body with black markings. They live in open areas near water, such as parks, gardens, and fields.
Greenish Blue
The Greenish Blue butterfly is a small butterfly with a greenish blue wings and a white abdomen. They are found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Hedgerow Hairstreak
The Hedgerow Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly black with a white band across the middle of its wings. They live in hedgerows, which is where they get their name.
Juniper Hairstreak
The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. Its wingspan is about 2 inches. This butterfly lives in open, sunny areas with lots of flowering plants.
Lilac-bordered Copper
The Lilac-bordered Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in many different habitats. They can be found in forests, meadows, and gardens. They are mainly found in North America, but have been found in other parts of the world.
Lupine Blue
Lupine Blue butterflies are typically blue with white stripes on their wings. They are found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Lustrous Copper
Lustrous Copper butterflies are brightly colored and have a metallic sheen. They are found in open habitats with plenty of flowers.
Marine Blue
The Marine Blue butterfly has a blue and black wings. They live in coastal areas and often feed on nectar.
Melissa Blue (includes Karner Blue)
A Melissa Blue (includes Karner Blue) butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches and a bright blue or green color. They are usually found in open areas with plenty of flowers to feed on.
Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak butterflies are small, brown butterflies with a wingspan of about 1 inch. They are found in the Appalachian Mountains and other parts of the eastern United States. They prefer open, sunny areas with plenty of flowering plants and trees.
Nelson’s Hairstreak
A Nelson’s Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in open, wooded areas. They prefer to fly close to the ground, so they are commonly seen in gardens or parks.
Northern Blue
Northern Blue butterflies have blue wings and a blue body. They live in open areas with lots of flowers.
Pacific Dotted-Blue
The Pacific Dotted-Blue butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically brown and blue. They are found in tropical jungles and open forests.
Pallid Dotted-Blue
A Pallid Dotted-Blue butterfly looks like a blue butterfly with white dots all over its wings. They are found in open, grassy areas with few trees.
Purplish Copper
A Purplish Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with copper wings. They are found in open, sunny areas, such as meadows and fields.
Reakirt’s Blue
The Reakirt’s Blue butterfly is a small, blue butterfly found in the eastern United States. It is common in open areas, such as fields and meadows, but is also found in shrubbery and along forest edges.
Ruddy Copper
A Ruddy Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern US. They are usually found in moist areas with a lot of flowering plants.
Shasta Blue
The Shasta Blue butterfly is a brightly-colored butterfly found in the mountains of California and Oregon. They are mainly found in open forests and meadows, but can also be found in gardens and parks.
Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak
A Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak butterfly has a bright green body with a white band across the wings. They live in open areas with lots of trees and flowers.
Silvery Blue
The Silvery Blue butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is often seen flying around in sunny areas. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers and trees.
Sooty Hairstreak
A Sooty Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly that is brown and has a white band on its wings. It lives in meadows and woodlands, and is seen in summer.
Spring Azure
A Spring Azure butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with wings that are a bright blue. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, like fields and meadows.
Sylvan Hairstreak
The Sylvan Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the forests of North America. It is a brown and white butterfly that has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The Sylvan Hairstreak butterfly is a predator and feeds on other insects. It is found in a variety of habitats including oak, pine, and laurel forests.
Tailed Copper
The Tailed Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in North America. It has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly has a dark brown body with a bright copper colored tail. The butterfly spends its life flying around looking for mates. It is found in open areas such as meadows and woods.
Thicket Hairstreak
A Thicket Hairstreak butterfly is typically a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2-3 inches. They are typically a light brown or yellow color with a few black spots. They are typically found in open areas near woodlands or in gardens with lots of bushes and low vegetation.
Western Pine Elfin
A Western Pine Elfin butterfly has a wingspan of about 1 inch. It is a dark brown or black butterfly with a bright yellow or orange band on its hindwings. It lives in forests and other areas with lots of trees.
Western Pygmy-Blue
Western Pygmy-Blue butterflies are a small, blue butterfly that usually resides in open habitats such as prairies, meadows, and open woods.
Western Tailed-Blue
The Western Tailed-Blue butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a blue wingspan and a yellow tail. They live in open areas such as meadows, grasslands, and forest edges.
Metalmark Butterflies in Carson City County, Nevada
Mormon Metalmark
A Mormon Metalmark butterfly has blue, black, and brown wings with a metallic sheen. They are found in North America, in areas with temperate climates. They inhabit open areas with plenty of flowers and trees.
Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Carson City County, Nevada
Anise Swallowtail
The Anise Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with blue, black, and yellow wings. They live in dry, open habitats such as deserts and grasslands.
Indra Swallowtail
Indra Swallowtail butterflies are bright blue with a white tail. They live in the tropical rainforest.
Pale Swallowtail
A Pale Swallowtail butterfly is typically a light purple or blue color with a white or light yellow band across the top of its wings. They are typically found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields, meadows, and gardens.
Two-tailed Swallowtail
A Two-tailed Swallowtail butterfly is typically a brightly colored butterfly with a long tail. They are commonly found in open habitats such as forests, meadows, and fields.
Western Tiger Swallowtail
The Western Tiger Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with a striped pattern on its wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, prairies, and forests.
Skipper Butterflies in Carson City County, Nevada
Alkali Skipper
The Alkali Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with shades of green and brown. They are found in dry, open areas such as prairies, meadows, and open woodlands.
Common Checkered-Skipper
A Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open, grassy areas near water. They are usually seen flitting around bushes and trees.
Common Sootywing
The Common Sootywing butterfly is a large, black and brown butterfly. It is found in open, grassy areas throughout North America.
Dreamy Duskywing
The Dreamy Duskywing butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically dark brown and has a faint purple sheen. They are found in open areas with lots of grass and flowers, such as meadows, prairies, and woodlands.
Fiery Skipper
The Fiery Skipper butterfly is a brightly colored butterfly with a distinctive pattern on its wings. The habitat of a Fiery Skipper butterfly is warm, open areas with plenty of flowers.
Juba Skipper
A Juba Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that lives in open, grassy areas near ponds and streams.
Mexican Cloudywing
The Mexican Cloudywing butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that is typically dark brown or black with a limited amount of white on its wings. It is a resident of the Americas, and is commonly found in open areas such as meadows, prairies, and woodlands.
Nevada Skipper
A Nevada Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in many different habitats, including meadows, fields, and forests.
Northern Cloudywing
Northern Cloudywings are large butterflies with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are mostly black, with a few white spots on their wings. They are found in open areas with lots of grass and flowers, especially in the eastern United States.
Northern White-Skipper
Northern White-Skipper butterflies live in the northern United States and Canada. They are mostly found in open areas with dense vegetation, such as woods and fields.
Pacuvius Duskywing
The Pacuvius Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dark brown body and wings. They are found in the eastern United States, but are also found in the west. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Persius Duskywing
A Persius Duskywing butterfly has dark brown wings with a faint purplish sheen. They are found in open woodlands and meadows, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Propertius Duskywing
The Propertius Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful dark brown butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is found in open woods and grassy areas in the eastern United States.
Sachem
A Sachem butterfly has a brown body with white wings. They live in meadows and woodlands.
Sandhill Skipper
The Sandhill Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is often seen in open grasslands and meadows. They are usually seen flying around in search of food.
Sonora Skipper
A Sonora Skipper butterfly is a beautiful metallic blue butterfly with white stripes down its back. They live in dry, open areas such as deserts, grasslands, and chaparral.
Two-banded Checkered-Skipper
The Two-banded Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a common butterfly that is found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, woodlands, and urban areas. This butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches and has two bands of checkered brown and white wings. This butterfly is often seen feeding on nectar from flowers.
Uncas Skipper
The Uncas Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is commonly seen near water. They are commonly found near rivers and lakes, but can also be found in other wet habitats.
Western Branded Skipper
The Western Branded Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in open areas such as meadows and forests. They are attracted to flowers, and can be found in a variety of habitats, including urban areas.
White Checkered-Skipper
A White Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a white body and black checkered wings. They are found in open country near water, where they feed on nectar and pollen.
Woodland Skipper
The Woodland Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that lives in moist, wooded areas.
White and Sulphur Butterflies in Carson City County, Nevada
Becker’s White
Becker’s White butterflies are bright orange and have a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in open areas, such as meadows and fields, where they feed on flowers.
Cabbage White
A Cabbage White butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are usually seen flying around flowers in gardens or parklands. They are usually found in warm, sunny areas.
Checkered White
The Checkered White butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a pattern of alternating black and white squares on its wings. They are typically found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and scrublands, but can also be found in urban areas.
Clouded Sulphur
The Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a black and yellow wings. It is found in the forests of North America.
Dainty Sulphur
The Dainty Sulphur butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that is usually found in open, grassy areas.
Desert Marble
Desert Marble butterflies are the largest butterfly in North America. They are mainly found in the southwestern United States and parts of Central America. They are usually found in open areas with lots of shrubs and flowers.
Gray Marble
The Gray Marble butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly has a gray marble color on its wings and body. The butterfly is found in the eastern United States, and is known to feed on nectar from flowers.
Large Marble
Large Marble butterflies are large and have a wingspan of up to three inches. They are found in warm, humid areas, such as forests and gardens, and prefer to eat nectar.
Orange Sulphur
The Orange Sulphur is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in open areas with plenty of sunlight. They prefer to live near flowers and will often perch on top of them.
Pine White
A Pine White butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are mostly white with a small amount of darker brown on their wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of pine trees, such as forests and parks.
Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur
A Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful, orange and black butterfly. They are found in the UK and in parts of North America. They live in warm, sunny areas and eat small insects.
Spring White
A Spring White butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 3 inches. They are usually light brown or white, with a black band on the wings. They are found in open areas with a lot of flowers, such as meadows, woods, and gardens.
Stella Orangetip
The Stella Orangetip butterfly is a beautiful orange and black butterfly that is found in the tropical forests of Central and South America.
Western White
A Western White butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with light brown wings and a white hind wing. They are found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests. They are also found in parks and nature preserves.
That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Carson City County, Nevada. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Nevada? We have lists for each of the 17 counties in the state.