There are 86 species of butterflies you can find in Charlotte County, Florida. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Charlotte County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:
Brush-footed Butterflies in Charlotte County, Florida
‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple
A ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a distinctive red spot on its wing. These butterflies are typically found in warm, well-vegetated areas, such as forests and gardens.
American Lady
The American Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The butterfly is usually a beautiful light blue, but can also have darker colors. The butterfly is found in gardens and other open areas, but is not common.
Carolina Satyr
The Carolina Satyr butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. It has a dark brown body with a light brown stripe down its middle and a light brown pattern on its wings. The Carolina Satyr butterfly nests in open areas, such as meadows, and prefers to fly in the early morning and late afternoon.
Common Buckeye
The Common Buckeye butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, meadows, and parks. They are generally active during the day, but can be seen flying around at night.
Georgia Satyr
The Georgia Satyr butterfly is a striking butterfly with reddish wings and a black and white checkerboard pattern on its wings. They are found in open, dry areas, such as prairies and meadows, as well as in forests.
Gulf Fritillary
The Gulf Fritillary butterfly is a small, thin butterfly with a brown body and a white wing margin. They have a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They live in open, grassy areas near water, and are most common in the Gulf Coast region.
Malachite
A Malachite butterfly is a dark blue and brown butterfly with a wingspan of about one inch. They are found in the rainforest and other tropical habitats.
Mangrove Buckeye
A Mangrove Buckeye butterfly has a black and yellow wings with a red border. They are found in the coastal regions of the United States, from North Carolina to Florida. They live in coastal mangrove forests.
Monarch
Monarchs can be variable in their coloration, but are typically bright yellow and black, with a wingspan of about two inches. They are found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and forests, usually near water.
Painted Lady
The Painted Lady butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in North America. The butterfly has a wingspan of about 1 inch. The butterfly is commonly found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens.
Pearl Crescent
A Pearl Crescent butterfly has a wingspan of about two inches, and is a light brown color with a thin stripe down the center of each wing. They are commonly found in open habitats like meadows, but can also be found in forests. They are attracted to light, and can be found flitting around in the sun.
Phaon Crescent
A Phaon Crescent butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in warm, sunny habitats such as meadows and gardens.
Queen
Queen butterflies are large, brightly coloured butterflies with a wingspan of up to two inches. They are found in tropical and subtropical regions all over the world, but are most abundant in the Americas. They prefer open areas with lots of flowers, but can also be found in forests and urban areas. The Queen butterfly is the national butterfly of Mexico.
Red Admiral
A Red Admiral butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are a bright red color with a black border. They are found in warm, sunny areas throughout the world. They prefer open habitats, such as fields and meadows, but can also be found in forests.
Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral
A Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly has a wingspan of around 3-4 inches. They are typically found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and gardens. They are also known to frequent oak and pine forests.
Ruddy Daggerwing
The Ruddy Daggerwing is a small butterfly that has a bright red wings and a black band across the middle of each wing. The butterfly is found in open areas with lots of plants, such as fields, grasslands, and forests.
Variegated Fritillary
Variegated Fritillary butterflies are brightly coloured with a variety of patterns on their wings. They typically live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and forests.
Viceroy
A Viceroy butterfly is a large and brightly colored butterfly found in tropical and subtropical regions. They are usually found in open areas with plenty of flowers, where they feed on nectar.
White Peacock
The White Peacock butterfly has a wingspan of about 2-3 inches. They are mostly light green with a dark green band across their wings. They are found in tropical forests, and sometimes in disturbed areas.
Zebra Heliconian
The Zebra Heliconian butterfly is a large butterfly with black and yellow wings. They live in tropical forests.
Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Charlotte County, Florida
Cassius Blue
The Cassius Blue butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright blue body and wings. They live in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and prefer to fly during the day.
Ceraunus Blue
The Ceraunus Blue butterfly is a small blue butterfly with black banding on its wings. They live in temperate regions of North America. They are typically found in open areas with flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Eastern Pygmy-Blue
The Eastern Pygmy-Blue butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly found in eastern North America. It is typically found in open areas with some woodlands, but can also be found near streams and ponds. The Eastern Pygmy-Blue butterfly is a migratory butterfly, which means it travels long distances to find new food sources.
Fulvous Hairstreak
The Fulvous Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the United States and Canada. This butterfly has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. The Fulvous Hairstreak butterfly is a member of the family Nymphalidae. This butterfly is most commonly found in open forests and meadows, but can also be found in gardens and parks. The Fulvous Hairstreak butterfly is a migratory butterfly and can be found in several different habitats across North America.
Gray Hairstreak
Gray Hairstreaks are among the most common butterflies in North America. They are usually light gray or white, but can also be variably colored. They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and farmland.
Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak
The Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in open, scrubby areas near marshes and streams.
Oak Hairstreak
The Oak Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of around 1.5 inches. The butterfly is found in open forests and woodlands, where it feeds on nectar from flowers.
Red-banded Hairstreak
A Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a red band running the length of its wings. They live in forests and woodlands, and are often seen flitting around flowers.
White-M Hairstreak
The White-M Hairstreak butterfly is a small, slender butterfly with a distinctive white forewing. They are found in open habitats, including meadows, forests, and gardens, and are often seen flitting around flowers.
Metalmark Butterflies in Charlotte County, Florida
Little Metalmark
The Little Metalmark butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly brown with a metallic sheen. They are found in the eastern United States and Canada. They live in open areas with plenty of flowers.
Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Charlotte County, Florida
Black Swallowtail
A Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful creature with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are usually black but can have a variety of colors including brown, yellow, and orange. They are found in forests and other areas with lots of trees and flowering plants.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are black and orange with a yellow band across their wings. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, including blueberry bushes.
Giant Swallowtail
A Giant Swallowtail butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly that usually flies in groups. They are usually found in open areas near water, such as meadows, forests, or rivers.
Palamedes Swallowtail
The Palamedes Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two feet. It is a common butterfly in North America and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and prairies.
Pipevine Swallowtail
A Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a colorful butterfly that has a characteristic pipe-shaped tail. They are found in open areas, such as meadows, fields, and woodlands, and are attracted to flowers.
Polydamas Swallowtail
A Polydamas Swallowtail butterfly is a strikingly beautiful insect, with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are typically found in open woodland, but can also be found in gardens and other areas with plenty of open space. Polydamas Swallowtail butterflies are generally gentle insects, but can be quite territorial when they need to be.
Spicebush Swallowtail
The Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen. They are found in open areas with lots of flowering plants, such as spicebush, sumac, and hawthorn.
Zebra Swallowtail
Zebra Swallowtail butterflies are colorful and have long tails. They are found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Skipper Butterflies in Charlotte County, Florida
Aaron’s Skipper
The Aaron’s Skipper butterfly is a small, black and white butterfly that is found in open areas with plenty of flowers. They are usually seen flying close to the ground.
Arogos Skipper
The Arogos Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is dark brown with a light brown band across the middle of its wings. It is found in the Amazon rainforest.
Baracoa Skipper
The Baracoa Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically blue and black with a yellow or orange band across its wings. They live in subtropical and tropical areas of the Americas. They are often seen resting on leaves or flowers.
Brazilian Skipper
The Brazilian Skipper butterfly looks like a small, blue and black butterfly with a reddish-orange “tail” on its rear end. Brazilian Skipper butterflies live in the tropical rainforest trees of Central and South America.
Byssus Skipper
The Byssus Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically blue with a white border. They inhabit open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens.
Clouded Skipper
The Clouded Skipper butterfly is a striking butterfly with black and white markings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Common Checkered-Skipper
The Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with dark brown wings and a bright yellow checkered pattern on its wings. They are found in open areas, such as meadows, fields, and forests, and are most common in warmer climates.
Delaware Skipper
The Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a colorful wingspan. It is found in the Appalachian Mountains and the southern parts of the United States. The habitat of the Delaware Skipper butterfly is open fields and forests.
Dorantes Longtail
The Dorantes Longtail butterfly is a beautiful insect with a wingspan of up to 2 feet. They are found in tropical and subtropical areas of Central and South America. They are attracted to flowers, but can also be found feeding on nectar from other plants.
Dotted Skipper
The Dotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is commonly found in open fields and woodland. It is a common visitor to gardens, where it feeds on nectar from flowers.
Dusted Skipper
A Dusted Skipper butterfly is a small, brown and white butterfly with a dusting of brown on its wings. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are often seen flying in groups.
Eufala Skipper
The Eufala Skipper is a small butterfly that is found in the south-central and southern United States. It has a wingspan of about 1/2 inch. The Eufala Skipper is a colorful butterfly with a blue-green background, yellow markings on its wings, and a black border around the wingtip. It is usually found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens.
Fiery Skipper
The Fiery Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is often seen flitting about near fires or other hot spots. They are typically found in warm, dry areas such as forests and deserts.
Horace’s Duskywing
The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the Appalachian Mountains. It has a dark brown wings and a blue-green tail. The butterfly is found in forests and other wooded areas.
Juvenal’s Duskywing
The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dusky brown wing and a blue-violet patch on the wing’s upper side. It is found in the eastern and central United States, as well as in the southern parts of Canada. The butterfly is most common in the Appalachian Mountains and in the Ozarks. It is also found in the deciduous and mixed woods of the eastern US, as well as the oak-hickory woods of the mid-south.
Long-tailed Skipper
A Long-tailed Skipper butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a long tail. They are usually found in open, sunny areas near water, such as meadows and fields.
Mangrove Skipper
The Mangrove Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a black and brown wings. They are found in tropical and subtropical areas, and prefer to live in mangroves.
Meske’s Skipper
The Meske’s Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a white line on the underside of each wing. They are found in open, sunny areas, such as meadows and fields.
Monk
Monk butterflies are beautiful creatures with bright colors and intricate patterns on their wings. They usually live in warm climates, such as subtropical and tropical forests.
Neamathla Skipper
The Neamathla Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in the Australian outback. It is a beautiful butterfly that has a metallic sheen to its wings. It is found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as eucalyptus trees.
Northern Cloudywing
The Northern Cloudywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 3 inches. The wings are a light blue with a few white clouds and a dark purple border. The butterfly is usually found in open woodlands, but can be found anywhere there are flowers.
Obscure Skipper
The Obscure Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a brown and black wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers.
Ocola Skipper
The Ocola Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that frequents open areas near ponds and streams. They are usually seen flitting around near water’s edge, but can also be found in forested areas.
Palatka Skipper
The Palatka Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that is found in the southeastern United States. It lives in open forests, grasslands, and scrublands.
Palmetto Skipper
The Palmetto Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in open areas near the coast. The butterfly is typically found feeding on nectar from flowers, and can be seen flying around during the day. The Palmetto Skipper butterfly is found in habitats that include open fields, coastal dunes, and savannas.
Sachem
The Sachem butterfly is a small butterfly with a brown body and a white wing margin. It is found in open woodlands and gardens.
Salt Marsh Skipper
The Salt Marsh Skipper butterfly is a very small butterfly that is typically green or brown in color. They live in salt marshes and other coastal areas where there is a lot of vegetation.
Sleepy Duskywing
A Sleepy Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful but sleepy insect. They are often found near dusk or dawn, in areas with dense vegetation.
Southern Broken-Dash
The Southern Broken-Dash butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a broken dash on its wing. They live in open, grassy areas with scattered trees.
Southern Skipperling
The Southern Skipperling butterfly is a small butterfly that typically has a light brown or gray body with a green or blue sheen. They are found in open areas with plenty of sunshine and grassy areas.
Swarthy Skipper
A Swarthy Skipper butterfly is a brown and black butterfly that lives in open areas, such as prairies, meadows, and grasslands.
Tawny-edged Skipper
The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly is a common sight in open habitats such as meadows and fields. They are usually seen flying around flowers.
Three-spotted Skipper
The Three-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. It has a dark brown forewing and a lighter brown hindwing. The Three-spotted Skipper butterfly lives in open habitats with plenty of flowers to feed on.
Tropical Checkered-Skipper
A Tropical Checkered-Skipper butterfly looks like a colorful butterfly with striped wings. They are usually found in humid areas near water, such as rain forests or mangroves.
Twin-spot Skipper
The Twin-spot Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly blue with a few white spots. They are found in the eastern US, Canada, and Mexico. They live in open areas with plenty of flowers to feed on.
Whirlabout
A Whirlabout butterfly looks like a small, brightly-colored butterfly with a long tails. They are found in grasslands, gardens, and other open areas near water.
White Checkered-Skipper
The White Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically green and white, with black and white checkered markings on its wings. They live in open spaces, such as meadows and fields, and are common in North America.
Yucca Giant-Skipper
The Yucca Giant-Skipper butterfly is a large butterfly that is found in the desert. It has a wingspan of over two inches. The butterfly is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is a member of the family Nymphalidae.
Zarucco Duskywing
The Zarucco Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a white patch on the lower wing. It is found in subtropical and tropical forests.
White and Sulphur Butterflies in Charlotte County, Florida
Barred Yellow
The Barred Yellow butterfly is a bright yellow butterfly with black markings on the wings. They are found in open areas near water, such as fields, meadows, and marshes.
Cloudless Sulphur
The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the prairies of North America. They are usually found in open areas with lots of sunlight, and are usually seen flying around during the day.
Dainty Sulphur
A Dainty Sulphur butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly with a yellow and black band on its wings. They are found in meadows and forests, and are attracted to nectar and pollen.
Great Southern White
A Great Southern White butterfly has a wingspan of about one and a half inches. The wings are light brown with a white band across the middle. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.
Little Yellow
The Little Yellow butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly yellow in color. The habitat of a Little Yellow butterfly is mostly grasslands and meadows.
Lyside Sulphur
A Lyside Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a beautiful decorated with black and yellow stripes. The butterflies live in dry, open areas such as oak woodlands, chaparral, and coastal scrub.
Orange-barred Sulphur
The Orange-barred Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a yellow and orange wings. It lives in the tropical rainforest.
Sleepy Orange
Sleepy Orange butterflies are typically a light brown or tan color with a narrow black stripe running the length of their abdomen. They prefer to reside in open areas near water, such as marshes, fields, or wooded areas.
Statira Sulphur
The Statira Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the Eastern United States. They are typically found in open, grassy areas with a lot of sun.
That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Charlotte County, Florida. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Florida? We have lists for each of the 67 counties in the state.
- Alachua
- Baker
- Bay
- Bradford
- Brevard
- Broward
- Calhoun
- Charlotte
- Citrus
- Clay
- Collier
- Columbia
- DeSoto
- Dixie
- Duval
- Escambia
- Flagler
- Franklin
- Gadsden
- Gilchrist
- Glades
- Gulf
- Hamilton
- Hardee
- Hendry
- Hernando
- Highlands
- Hillsborough
- Holmes
- Indian River
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Lafayette
- Lake
- Lee
- Leon
- Levy
- Liberty
- Madison
- Manatee
- Marion
- Martin
- Miami-Dade
- Monroe
- Nassau
- Okaloosa
- Okeechobee
- Orange
- Osceola
- Palm Beach
- Pasco
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Putnam
- Santa Rosa
- Sarasota
- Seminole
- St. Johns
- St. Lucie
- Sumter
- Suwannee
- Taylor
- Union
- Volusia
- Wakulla
- Walton
- Washington