There are 121 species of butterflies you can find in Elko County, Nevada. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Elko County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:
Brush-footed Butterflies in Elko County, Nevada
American Lady
The American Lady Butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. It is mostly black with a bright orange band across the middle of the wings. The American Lady Butterfly is found in both the east and the west coasts of the United States, as well as in parts of Canada. It prefers open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens, but can also be found at the edges of forests.
Anicia Checkerspot
The Anicia Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange and black pattern on its wings. These butterflies are found in the west coast of North America, from California to British Columbia. They are partial to open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
California Tortoiseshell
The California Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It is usually found in open areas near water, including gardens and parks.
Callippe Fritillary
The Callippe Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with bright colors. It is usually found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Chalcedon Checkerspot
The Chalcedon Checkerspot butterfly is a metallic blue butterfly with a white band on its hindwings. It is found in the eastern United States and parts of Canada. The butterfly is found in open, grassy areas with some trees.
Chryxus Arctic
The Chryxus Arctic butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches and is dark brown with a light yellow band across the wings. They are found in the tundra of North America.
Colon Checkerspot
A Colon Checkerspot butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches and is mainly light brown with a few black spots. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as prairies, meadows, and fields.
Common Buckeye
The Common Buckeye butterfly is a small black and yellow butterfly with a characteristic “B” on its wings. They are commonly found in open areas with lots of sunlight, such as meadows and forest edges.
Common Ringlet
The Common Ringlet butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. It has a light brown body with a white stripe down the middle of its wings. The Common Ringlet butterfly lives in open areas such as meadows, forests, and fields.
Common Wood-Nymph
A Common Wood-Nymph butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches and is a light brown or tan color. They live in forests and other wooded areas.
Compton Tortoiseshell
The Compton Tortoiseshell butterfly is a small, brown and white butterfly found in the United States. They are found in the eastern half of the country, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Gulf Coast. They are common in open, sunny areas with lots of flowers.
Coronis Fritillary
The Coronis Fritillary butterfly is a pretty butterfly with a blue wings and white patches on the wings. They live in mountains and forests, and are very common in North America.
Edith’s Checkerspot
A Edith’s Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful insect with a bright orange and black wings. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Field Crescent
The Field Crescent butterfly is a small, brown and black butterfly. They are commonly found in open grasslands and meadows.
Gray Comma
A Gray Comma butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a grayish-white body and wings. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to flowers.
Great Basin Fritillary
A Great Basin Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a velvety black and brown body. They are found in the Great Basin Desert in Nevada and Utah. They are attracted to flowers, but also eat insects. They live in areas with a lot of sunlight and flowers.
Great Basin Wood-Nymph
A Great Basin Wood-Nymph butterfly looks like a small, delicate butterfly. They are typically light brown or tan, with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in the high desert areas of the Great Basin, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Great Spangled Fritillary
A Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful and brightly-colored butterfly. They are found throughout the United States and Canada, but are especially common in the east. They are usually found in open areas, such as fields, meadows, and woods.
Hoary Comma
A Hoary Comma butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly that is typically pale yellow or white with a black comma-shaped marking on its wing. They are found in cold, temperate climates and are often found near patches of snow.
Lorquin’s Admiral
The Lorquin’s Admiral butterfly is a large, beautiful butterfly with a black and yellow wingspan. They are found in tropical forests and are known to feed on nectar from flowers.
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
A Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a distinctive pattern of brown, white and black. They are found in open woodland habitats, where they feed on flowers.
Monarch
The Monarch butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3 inches. They are most commonly found in North America, but can also be found in parts of South America. They thrive in warm, sunny areas with lots of flowering plants.
Mormon Fritillary
A Mormon Fritillary butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that often has a metallic sheen to its wings. They are typically found in open, grassy areas, but can also be found in gardens and other wooded areas. They are usually active during the daytime, but can be found flying around at night as well.
Mourning Cloak
A Mourning Cloak butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a dark brown with a paler underside. It is often seen perched on branches near water. The butterfly is found in the eastern United States and Canada.
Mylitta Crescent
The Mylitta Crescent butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically found in open areas, such as fields and meadows. They are attracted to nectar sources and are usually seen flying around during the day.
Nokomis Fritillary
A Nokomis Fritillary butterfly is typically a colorful butterfly with black markings on its wings. They can be found in dry, open areas with lots of flowers, such as prairies.
Northern Crescent
The Northern Crescent butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange and black wings. They are found in the north temperate zone and are usually found in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Northwestern Fritillary
A Northwestern Fritillary butterfly is a delicate, colorful butterfly that can be found in open, sunny habitats near water. They are commonly seen flitting around flowers in the early morning and late evening.
Painted Lady
A Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright red, orange, and yellow wings. They are found in the eastern United States, in areas with a warm climate. They are often seen flitting around flowers.
Pale Crescent
Pale Crescent butterflies are typically brown or tan with a white or yellow band across the wings. They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and mountains.
Queen
Queen butterflies are colorful and large. They have a wingspan of up to 3 inches. They live in colonies of up to a thousand individuals. Their habitat is usually open grasslands, but they can also be found in forests and gardens.
Red Admiral
A Red Admiral butterfly has a bright red and black wingspan. They are found in warm, tropical climates. They prefer to live in forests and gardens, but will also inhabit open fields.
Ridings’ Satyr
The Ridings’ Satyr butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with black and brown markings. It is found in North America, where it lives in deciduous and mixed forests.
Sagebrush Checkerspot
The Sagebrush Checkerspot butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. It is brown and has a white band across the wings. It is found in the American Southwest, including the states of California, Nevada, and Arizona. The butterfly has a habitat that includes dry, open country with plenty of sagebrush.
Satyr Comma
The Satyr Comma butterfly has a wingspan of about two inches. It has a bright green body with a white comma on the front of its wings. The Satyr Comma butterfly lives in open, grassy areas with lots of flowers.
Small Wood-Nymph
Small Wood-Nymph butterflies are typically small, with a wingspan of about two inches. They are typically brown or black, and can be found in a variety of wooded habitats.
Variegated Fritillary
Variegated Fritillary butterflies are brightly colored and have a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are usually found in forested areas, but can also be found in gardens and other open areas. They feed on nectar from flowers.
Viceroy
The Viceroy butterfly is a brightly coloured butterfly that is found in tropical countries. It is usually found near streams and rivers.
Weidemeyer’s Admiral
The Weidemeyer’s Admiral butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. The butterfly is found in tropical forests and is most common in the Amazon and Andes regions. They are attracted to flowers and often perch on top of them.
West Coast Lady
West Coast Lady butterflies usually have a yellow body, black wings, and a bright green head. They are found in open, sunny areas near streams, lakes, or other bodies of water.
Zerene Fritillary
The Zerene Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright blue wings and yellow and black markings. They are usually found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and woods.
Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Elko County, Nevada
A butterfly is a small, colorful creature that flits through the air. They are usually found in warm, sunny areas. Some butterflies live in forests, while others live in fields.
Arrowhead Blue
Arrowhead Blue butterflies are usually light blue with darker blue markings on the wings. They are found in open habitats such as meadows, prairies, and forests.
Behr’s Hairstreak
Behr’s Hairstreak butterflies are typically small, colorful butterflies with wings that are a bright orange or yellow. They live in open areas with a lot of flowers, such as meadows and prairies.
Blue Copper
A Blue Copper butterfly looks like a dark blue and copper butterfly. They are found in the habitats of open forests and gardens.
Boisduval’s Blue
The Boisduval’s Blue butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are attracted to flowers and live in open areas near streams and rivers.
Brown Elfin
The Brown Elfin butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is dark brown with a light brown stripe down the center of each wing. They are found in open areas such as meadows and fields, and are usually found close to water.
California Hairstreak
The California Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is mostly light brown with a few dark patches on the wings. It is found in the United States, Mexico, and Central America. The butterfly is most common in California, but is also found in other parts of the US. It prefers open areas with lots of flowers, but can also be found in forests.
Coral Hairstreak
The Coral Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a brightly colored wings and a long tail. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are usually seen flying in groups.
Desert Green Hairstreak
The Desert Green Hairstreak butterfly is a small, brightly-colored butterfly found in the southwestern United States. It is a member of the hairstreak family, which includes many species that are among the most colorful and commonly seen butterflies. The Desert Green Hairstreak is a common visitor to gardens and open space, where it often rests on flowers.
Echo Azure
Echo Azure butterflies are beautiful creatures. They are usually shades of blue and green, with a white wingtip. They live in open habitats, such as prairies and meadows, and are usually found near water.
Edith’s Copper
Edith’s Copper butterflies are beautiful and brightly coloured butterflies. They are found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and woodland.
Gray Hairstreak
A Gray Hairstreak butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in open, grassy areas with a lot of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.
Greenish Blue
A Greenish Blue butterfly is a butterfly with a green body and blue wings. It is found in forests and other wooded areas.
Hedgerow Hairstreak
The Hedgerow Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are a deep purplish blue and the body is a lighter blue. The underside of the wings is a bright yellow. The Hedgerow Hairstreak butterflies live in the hedgerows and other flowery areas near the water.
Juniper Hairstreak
The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is mostly black with a metallic sheen and a yellow band across the top of each wing. The butterflies live in open, grassy areas near streams and other sources of water.
Leda Ministreak
A Leda Ministreak butterfly looks like a small, tan-and-black butterfly with a white band across its wings. They live in open, grassy areas with scattered trees.
Lilac-bordered Copper
The Lilac-bordered Copper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically light blue, but can vary in color depending on the location. They are found in the Eastern United States, but can also be found in the West. They are typically found in woodlands and gardens, but can also be found in open fields.
Lupine Blue
A Lupine Blue butterfly has a blue body with black spots and a yellow band across its wings. They live in meadows and grasslands, and are usually seen flitting around in the air.
Lustrous Copper
A Lustrous Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. They are found in warm, dry habitats, such as deserts or scrubland.
Marine Blue
A Marine Blue butterfly has a blue body with a white band across the wings. They are found in coastal areas and can be found flying around flowers.
Melissa Blue (includes Karner Blue)
A Melissa Blue (includes Karner Blue) butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open habitats such as meadows, pastures, and wooded areas. They are usually seen during the morning and evening hours.
Pallid Dotted-Blue
The Pallid Dotted-Blue butterfly is a small butterfly with a pale blue wings and body. They are found in the Palearctic ecozone, which includes Europe, Asia, and North America. They prefer open areas with plenty of flowers, but can also be found in forests.
Purplish Copper
The Purplish Copper butterfly is a small, dark brown butterfly that can be found in open woodlands and prairies. The butterfly is usually active during the early morning and late afternoon, but can be seen flying around during the day.
Reakirt’s Blue
A Reakirt’s Blue butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly that is found in moist woods and gardens.
Rocky Mountain Dotted-Blue
A Rocky Mountain Dotted-Blue butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a vaguely dotted blue and white pattern on its wings. They are found in open, high-altitude areas, such as the Rockies. They are usually found near streams, ponds, or other bodies of water.
Ruddy Copper
A Ruddy Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with copper wings. They are usually found in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Sagebrush Sooty Hairstreak
The Sagebrush Sooty Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a yellow and black wings. They are found in the sagebrush areas of the Western United States.
Shasta Blue
The Shasta Blue butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a blue body and brown wings. It lives in the mountains of North America.
Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak
The Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak butterfly has a bright green body and wings that are speckled with brown and black. They live in open spaces, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to flowers.
Silvery Blue
The Silvery Blue butterfly is a blue butterfly found in North America. The habitat of the Silvery Blue butterfly is open areas with plenty of flowers.
Sooty Hairstreak
A Sooty Hairstreak butterfly is typically a brown or black butterfly with a smoky sheen to its wings. They are usually found in open areas such as fields and meadows, but can also be found in forested areas. They are active during the day, and feed on nectar from flowers.
Spring Azure
The Spring Azure butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the forests of eastern North America. It has blue, green, and brown wings and is often seen flitting around in the air.
Sylvan Hairstreak
The Sylvan Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The butterfly is a light brown on the top with a darker brown band across the middle of each wing. The wings are decorated with white spots and a white edge. The butterfly lives in open areas, such as woods and meadows, where there are lots of flowering plants.
Tailed Copper
A Tailed Copper butterfly has a black and copper body with a white tail. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers to feed on.
Thicket Hairstreak
The Thicket Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically blue, but can also be purple, black, or brown. They live in forests, and their habitat is typically near the ground. They are attracted to flowers, and are very active.
Western Green Hairstreak
The Western Green Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with green wings and a bright yellow band across the bottom of each wing. They are found in open areas, such as meadows and fields, and are often seen flitting around flowers. They are very common in North America, but are becoming rarer in Europe.
Western Pine Elfin
The Western Pine Elfin butterfly is a small butterfly with a delicate wingspan. It has a light brown body with a reddish-orange patch on the upper wing. It is found in the Western US and parts of Canada. The Western Pine Elfin butterfly prefers open forest with lots of sunshine and fresh air.
Western Pygmy-Blue
The Western Pygmy-Blue butterfly is a small butterfly that has a blue body and wings. They live in desert areas and have a very small range.
Western Tailed-Blue
The Western Tailed-Blue butterfly is a beautiful insect with a blue wingspan. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, gardens, and fields. They are also common in urban areas.
Metalmark Butterflies in Elko County, Nevada
Mormon Metalmark
A Mormon Metalmark butterfly varies in size from a small fraction of an inch to about an inch and a half. Their wings are a metallic blue, with a reddish-purple band near the base. They are found in the western United States, in the Rocky Mountains and the Southwest. They feed on nectar from flowers.
Palmer’s Metalmark
The Palmer’s Metalmark butterfly is a metallic-colored butterfly with a characteristic pattern of black, white, and metallic blue wings. They are found in open country, especially in areas with plenty of sunlight and fresh flowers.
Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Elko County, Nevada
Anise Swallowtail
The Anise Swallowtail butterfly has a bright blue body with white stripes running down its sides. They are found in areas with lots of flowering anise plants, such as gardens and fields.
Indra Swallowtail
The Indra Swallowtail butterfly is a brightly colored butterfly that can be found in open spaces with plenty of flowers. They prefer habitats that are warm and humid.
Old World Swallowtail
A Old World Swallowtail butterfly looks like a beautiful, colourful butterfly with a long tail. They usually reside in open areas such as meadows, fields, or forests, but can also be found near water. They are usually very active during the day, but can also be found sleeping in shady areas. Their habitat is usually full of flowers, which they use to attract mates.
Pale Swallowtail
The Pale Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that ranges in color from light brown to dark brown. They are common in open areas such as meadows, prairies, and forests. They are also common in areas with a lot of flowers.
Rocky Mountain Parnassian
The Rocky Mountain Parnassian butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright metallic sheen on its wings. They are found in the Rocky Mountains of North America. They love to feed on nectar from flowers, and their habitat ranges from high in the mountains to lower elevations.
Two-tailed Swallowtail
The Two-tailed Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a distinctive pattern of black and yellow stripes on its wings. They are found mostly in open forests and gardens, and are usually seen flitting around in search of flowers.
Western Tiger Swallowtail
The Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a striking butterfly with a black and yellow body and wings. They are found in open areas, such as grasslands and meadows, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Skipper Butterflies in Elko County, Nevada
Common Checkered-Skipper
The Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Common Sootywing
The Common Sootywing butterfly is a dark, brown and black butterfly. It has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is found in open areas, such as meadows and fields, but is also found near woods.
Dreamy Duskywing
The habitat of a Dreamy Duskywing butterfly is a dark forest. They are most commonly found near rivers or creeks.
Fiery Skipper
The Fiery Skipper butterfly is a brightly colored butterfly that is found in the southern United States. This butterfly is often seen flying around near fireplaces or other areas where there is a lot of smoke. The Fiery Skipper butterfly is typically found in open woodlands or near bodies of water.
Hammock Skipper
The Hammock Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically white with black markings on the wings. They live in humid forests and palmetto scrub.
Juba Skipper
A Juba Skipper butterfly is a small, brown and yellow butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in tropical rainforests, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Mohave Sootywing
The Mohave Sootywing is a light brown and black butterfly with a distinctive pattern of black and brown stripes across its wings. They are found in the Mojave Desert, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Nevada Skipper
The Nevada Skipper butterfly is a small, pale-colored butterfly with a black and orange band across its wings. They are found in open, grassy areas near streams and lakes.
Northern White-Skipper
Northern White-Skippers are small, delicate butterflies that can be found in open areas near water. They are the only butterfly in North America that is primarily white in color, and they are very active fliers.
Persius Duskywing
The Persius Duskywing butterfly has a dark brown body and wings. They live in open woodland and grassland.
Sandhill Skipper
The Sandhill Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The wings are a light brown with a few white spots. The habitat of a Sandhill Skipper butterfly is grasslands, prairies, or meadows.
Uncas Skipper
The Uncas Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is mostly black with a white band across the wings. It is found in open habitats, such as meadows and prairies, and sometimes inhabits disturbed areas.
Western Branded Skipper
A Western Branded Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about two inches, and is mostly black with a yellow band across the middle of the wings. They live in open, grassy areas with some flowers, and are usually seen hovering near the ground.
Woodland Skipper
Woodland Skipper butterflies are small, colorful butterflies with a wingspan of about two inches. They are found in open habitats with scattered trees, such as meadows and prairies.
Yuma Skipper
A Yuma Skipper butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a blue, purple, or black wings. They live in warm, dry habitats, such as deserts and chaparral.
White and Sulphur Butterflies in Elko County, Nevada
Becker’s White
A Becker’s White butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. They are typically a white color, but can also have shades of blue, yellow, or purple in their wings. They are attracted to nectar sources, and are often found near flowers.
Cabbage White
The Cabbage White butterfly is a small, slender butterfly with a white wingspan. They are found in open, sunny areas near water, such as meadows and fields. They are quite common and can often be seen flying around during the day.
Checkered White
The Checkered White butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a distinctive pattern of light and dark stripes on its wings. They are typically found in open, grassy areas near streams and rivers.
Clouded Sulphur
A Clouded Sulphur butterfly has a bright blue wings with a purple sheen. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as prairies, meadows, and forests.
Dainty Sulphur
A Dainty Sulphur butterfly is typically a colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are found in open areas near streams and rivers, often near flowers.
Desert Marble
Desert Marble butterflies are a dark brown or black butterfly with a bright yellow or orange patch on the upper wings. They live in the desert Southwest United States and Mexico. They eat small insects and nectar from flowers.
Large Marble
A Large Marble butterfly looks like a large, brightly-colored butterfly with a wingspan of up to two inches. They are common in open, sunny areas with plenty of nectar sources, such as flowers and milkweed plants.
Margined White
A Margined White butterfly looks like a small, delicate butterfly with a contrasting stripe down its center of white. Margined White butterflies live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields, meadows, and gardens.
Orange Sulphur
A Orange Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful insect with a wingspan of around two inches. They are often seen flitting around in bright colours in gardens and woodlands. They are usually found in warm, sunny areas, but can also be found in cooler areas during the winter.
Pine White
The Pine White butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are usually light brown or white, with a series of black spots on their wings. They are found in the forests of North America, Europe and Asia.
Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur
The Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful orange and black butterfly. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields, gardens, and meadows.
Sleepy Orange
Sleepy Orange butterflies are small, brown butterflies with a dark orange band across their wings. They are found in the forests of the eastern United States and in the West Indies.
Southern Dogface
A Southern Dogface butterfly has a light tan body with dark brown markings on the wings. They are commonly found in open areas near woods and rivers where they feed on flower nectar.
Southwestern Orangetip
The Southwestern Orangetip butterfly looks like a bright orange and black butterfly with a white spot on its wing. They live in oak and cedar forests in the southwestern United States.
Spring White
A Spring White butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches and is light brown on the top with a light greenish-blue sheen. They prefer open areas with plenty of flowers, but can also be found in gardens.
Stella Orangetip
The Stella Orangetip butterfly has a bright orange body and wings. They live in tropical forests.
Western White
The Western White butterfly typically has a wingspan of about two inches. The wings are a light yellow color with a white border. The butterfly is found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and prefers to feed on nectar.
That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Elko County, Nevada. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Nevada? We have lists for each of the 17 counties in the state.