There are 96 species of butterflies you can find in Frederick County, Maryland. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Frederick County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:
Brush-footed Butterflies in Frederick County, Maryland
‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple
The ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the United States. They are usually found in areas with a lot of flowers, such as meadows. They are also found in areas with a lot of forest.
American Lady
The American Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that belongs to the family Nymphalidae. The American Lady butterfly is typically light brown or yellow and has a wingspan of about one inch. The American Lady butterfly is found in a variety of habitats across North America, including forests, meadows, and gardens.
American Snout
The American Snout butterfly is a small butterfly that is usually orange and black. They live in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to flower nectar.
Aphrodite Fritillary
Aphrodite Fritillary butterflies are typically a bright blue color with white markings on their wings. They are found in open, sunny areas, such as meadows and fields.
Appalachian Brown
The Appalachian Brown butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in open areas with plenty of flowers. They prefer habitat that is moist and with some deciduous trees.
Baltimore Checkerspot
The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. It is mostly brown with a few black markings and has a bright yellow patch on its underside. The butterfly is found in the Appalachian Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. It prefers open, sunny areas with lots of flowering plants.
Common Buckeye
The Common Buckeye butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of about 1-1/2 inches. The wings are a light tan with a few brown spots. They are found in the eastern and central United States, from Maine to Texas. They live in open areas with plenty of flowers.
Common Wood-Nymph
A Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is typically a medium-sized butterfly with a brown and black body and wings. They are found in open woodlands and sometimes in gardens, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Eastern Comma
Eastern Comma butterflies are typically tan with black markings on the wings. They are found in open areas such as meadows and woodlands, but are also found in urban areas. They are attracted to flowers and nectar.
Great Spangled Fritillary
The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of up to 2.5 inches. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields, meadows, and prairies.
Gulf Fritillary
The Gulf Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a range that stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes. It is a common sight in open woodlands and meadows, but can also be found in gardens and orchards. This butterfly is most active in the morning and late afternoon.
Hackberry Emperor
The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to two inches. The wings are a deep brown with a purple sheen and a yellow band across the top. The males have a bright blue head and thorax, while the females have a paler blue head and thorax. The butterfly is found in the eastern United States, from New York to Florida and west to Texas. It is most common in pine barrens and oak-hickory forests, but can also be found in open fields and gardens.
Little Wood-Satyr
A Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a white band across its wings. They are found in the eastern United States, where they feed on the nectar of flowers.
Meadow Fritillary
A Meadow Fritillary butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in meadows and other open areas near streams and ponds. They are attracted to flowers and nectar, and are sometimes seen flying in tandem.
Monarch
A Monarch butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are commonly found in the United States, Canada, and Central America. They are attracted to flowers, but can also be found in forests, meadows, and gardens. Monarch butterflies live in warm, sunny areas.
Mourning Cloak
A Mourning Cloak butterfly is a small, brown and black butterfly that is found in North America. They are usually seen flying around in groups and are often found in open areas such as meadows and forests.
Northern Pearly-eye
The Northern Pearly-eye butterfly is a beautiful creature that is found in the northern parts of North America. The Northern Pearly-eye butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches and is a bright blue color with a white band running across the middle of its wings. The Northern Pearly-eye butterfly lives in open areas such as meadows, prairies, and forests and is attracted to flowering plants.
Painted Lady
The Painted Lady butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in North America. They are known to inhabit open areas with diverse vegetation, such as gardens and fields.
Pearl Crescent
The Pearl Crescent butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It is found in the tropical forests of North America.
Question Mark
A Question Mark butterfly has a light brown body with dark brown spots along the margins of its wings. The butterfly lives in forests and other wooded areas.
Red Admiral
A Red Admiral butterfly is brightly coloured and has a wingspan of up to three inches. They are found in warm, tropical climates, often near flowers. They prefer to live in forests, but are also found in gardens.
Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral
The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of around three inches. The butterfly is brightly coloured, with a red central spot on each wing and a purple border. The butterfly is found in habitats such as tropical rain forests, mangroves, and montane forests.
Regal Fritillary
The Regal Fritillary butterfly has bright colors on its wings, and it lives in open areas such as meadows or forests.
Silver-bordered Fritillary
The Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly is a small butterfly with a metallic sheen to its wings. They are found in open, wooded areas, including forests, and are most common in the summertime. They feed on nectar from flowers, and are known to be very fast fliers.
Silvery Checkerspot
A Silvery Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with metallic blue and silver wings. They are found in a variety of habitats including meadows, forests, and gardens.
Tawny Emperor
A Tawny Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and brown forewing. They live in tropical forests and usually feed on nectar from flowers.
Variegated Fritillary
Variegated Fritillary butterflies are typically shades of gray and yellow with black markings on their wings. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Viceroy
A Viceroy butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are found in tropical forests around the world. They feed on nectar from flowers and are often seen flying in large, flapping groups.
White Admiral
The White Admiral butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to two feet. It is typically white, but can also be yellow, orange, or brown. It is found in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. The butterfly’s larva feed on milkweed plants.
Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Frederick County, Maryland
American Copper
The American Copper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are a beautiful copper color and the butterfly has a bright yellow and black band across the middle of its wings. The butterfly is found in North America, specifically in the eastern United States and in the Midwest. It is a common butterfly and can be found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, forests, and gardens.
Appalachian Azure
The Appalachian Azure butterfly is a blue and white butterfly that frequents open woods and meadows.
Banded Hairstreak
A Banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a band of colorful wings. They live in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Bronze Copper
Bronze Copper butterflies are a beautiful blue with bronze highlights. They are found in open habitats with lots of flowers and trees.
Brown Elfin
A Brown Elfin butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a beautiful butterfly with a reddish brown body and wings. It is found in habitats such as meadows, prairies, forests, and gardens.
Coral Hairstreak
Coral Hairstreak butterflies are small, brightly-colored butterflies that live on coral reefs. They are usually seen flitting around flowers near the water’s edge.
Eastern Pine Elfin
Eastern Pine Elfin butterflies look like delicate, brightly-colored butterflies with long tails. They are found in the eastern United States, where they live in moist, open areas near streams and rivers.
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies are generally a blue color with a white tail. They live in moist areas such as forests and meadows.
Edwards’ Hairstreak
The Edwards’ Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the east coast of the United States. They are mostly found in open, rural areas with lots of sunlight.
Gray Hairstreak
The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a gray body and wings. They live in open habitats, such as forests and meadows, and are mostly found during the summer.
Harvester
The Harvester butterfly is a large brown butterfly with a wingspan of up to 2.5 inches. They prefer open areas with plenty of flowers to feed on, such as meadows, prairies, and grasslands.
Henry’s Elfin
The Henry’s Elfin butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically white with small black spots on the wings. These butterflies live in meadows and prairies, and are attracted to flowers.
Juniper Hairstreak
The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange and black wings. They are native to the United States, but can be found in many other parts of the world. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as gardens or parks.
Red-banded Hairstreak
A Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a distinctive red band around its wings. They are found in open, grassy areas with some trees nearby, and are usually seen flying in groups.
Spring Azure
A Spring Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue and white butterfly that is found in open areas near streams and rivers. They are generally found near flowers, but can also be found near other insects.
Striped Hairstreak
Striped Hairstreaks are small, colorful butterflies found in North America. They are typically found in open, sunny areas, such as meadows, forests, and fields.
Summer Azure
A Summer Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly with a white band on its wings. They are often found near water, and spend the summer flying around.
White-M Hairstreak
A White-M Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the United States and in parts of Mexico. They are usually found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests. They are very active butterflies and are often seen flitting around seeking flowers.
Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Frederick County, Maryland
Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail
The Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a brightly-colored butterfly found in the Appalachian Mountains. These butterflies are often seen flitting around flowers in open areas.
Black Swallowtail
The Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful insect with a black and orange wings. They are found in open areas such as fields and forests, where they hunt for small prey.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and farms. These butterflies are typically very active fliers and can be found perched on trees or flowers.
Giant Swallowtail
The Giant Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3.5 inches. It is the largest swallowtail butterfly in North America. The Giant Swallowtail is found in open woodlands and prairies, where it feeds on nectar and pollen.
Pipevine Swallowtail
A Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful, metallic-green butterfly with a long tail and red eyes. They are found in open, sunny areas, such as meadows, fields and gardens, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Spicebush Swallowtail
The Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. They are usually found in woodlands and gardens, but can also be found in open fields. They are very common butterflies and can often be seen fluttering around.
Zebra Swallowtail
A Zebra Swallowtail butterfly looks like a brightly colored butterfly with a long tail. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Skipper Butterflies in Frederick County, Maryland
Black Dash
A Black Dash butterfly has black wings and a bright blue, black, and yellow body. They live in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to light.
Clouded Skipper
The Clouded Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is known for its colorful wings. The Clouded Skipper butterfly lives in habitats that include meadows, fields, and forests.
Common Checkered-Skipper
The Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a large butterfly with a checkered pattern on its wings. It is found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and woods.
Common Roadside-Skipper
The Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a large, brightly-colored butterfly found in open country near roads. They are often seen feeding on nectar from flowers.
Common Sootywing
The Common Sootywing butterfly is a small, black and yellow butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Crossline Skipper
A Crossline Skipper butterfly has a green body with a white cross on its wings. They live in open areas with lots of flowers.
Delaware Skipper
A Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is usually green and brown. They live in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and eat small insects.
Dreamy Duskywing
A Dreamy Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful, delicate butterfly. It has a dusky brown body and wings, with a blue-green sheen. They are found in open, warm areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and pastures.
Dun Skipper
A Dun Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in open areas with lots of sunlight. They are usually found near streams and rivers.
European Skipper
A European Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is common in open areas and gardens. They are often seen flitting around flowers or around people.
Fiery Skipper
The Fiery Skipper butterfly is a bright orange and black butterfly. They live in the eastern United States, primarily in the Appalachian Mountains. They prefer open areas with lots of flowers for food.
Hayhurst’s Scallopwing
The Hayhurst’s Scallopwing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open areas with lots of flowers. They are usually seen flying around during the day.
Hoary Edge
The Hoary Edge butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3 inches. They are found in the eastern United States and Canada, but are also found in Europe and Asia. They are often seen near forests and meadows, and are known to feed on nectar from flowers.
Hobomok Skipper
The Hobomok Skipper butterfly is a small, brightly-colored butterfly that is found in open woodlands and clearings.
Horace’s Duskywing
A Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dusky brown body and wings. They are common in open areas, including prairies, fields, and meadows. They are usually found at lower elevations during the summer, but can be found at higher elevations during the winter.
Indian Skipper
The Indian Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is often seen flying around flowers. They are usually found in open areas such as fields and meadows.
Juvenal’s Duskywing
The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly has a dusky brown wings and body. They are found in meadows, gardens, and woods.
Least Skipper
The Least Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically only a few millimeters wide. It has a blue or purple wings and a white or light blue body. The Least Skipper is found in open, grassy areas or along the edges of woods.
Little Glassywing
The Little Glassywing butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly black, with a small white spot on its wing. They are found in open areas, such as meadows and fields, and are usually found near water.
Long-tailed Skipper
The Long-tailed Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is usually orange and black, with a long tail. They live in open areas and gardens, and are attracted to flowers.
Mulberry Wing
A Mulberry Wing butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly is light brown with a dark brown band across each wing. The butterfly is found in open areas with plenty of milkweed plants.
Northern Broken-Dash
Northern Broken-Dash butterflies have a wingspan of about 2-3 inches. They are mainly brown with white spots, and they are found in open areas with lots of flowers.
Northern Cloudywing
Northern Cloudywings are a beautiful butterfly with dark brown wings and a bright blue-violet sheen. They are found in deciduous and mixed woods in the eastern United States. They are most active during the morning and late afternoon.
Ocola Skipper
The Ocola Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly found in warm, moist habitats throughout the eastern United States. They are most commonly seen flying around flowers during the morning and early evening.
Peck’s Skipper
The Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is often seen hovering near flowers. It is a common butterfly in temperate regions of the world.
Pepper and Salt Skipper
The Pepper and Salt Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly blue with a white band across its abdomen. The butterfly is found in open areas with plenty of salt and pepper plants.
Sachem
The Sachem butterfly is a small butterfly that is usually brown or black with a white or yellow band across the wings. They are found in the forests of North America.
Silver-spotted Skipper
The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1-1/2 inches. The males are mostly silver with black spots, while the females are mostly light brown with a few silver spots. They live in open areas near water, such as meadows, fields, or forests.
Swarthy Skipper
A Swarthy Skipper butterfly is a small, dark butterfly with a striped orange and black wings. They are found in warm climates, usually near bodies of water. They are usually found in forested areas, but can also be found in gardens.
Tawny-edged Skipper
The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly has a reddish brown wingspan and a yellow or tawny edge to their wings. They prefer moist, shady areas such as stream banks, orchards, and gardens.
Two-spotted Skipper
The Two-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is often seen flying around flowers. They are usually found in meadows and other open areas, but can also be found in gardens.
Wild Indigo Duskywing
The Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including open fields, forests, and gardens. This butterfly is most commonly found in the eastern United States, but can also be found in parts of Canada and the Caribbean.
Zabulon Skipper
The Zabulon Skipper butterfly is a small, black and yellow butterfly that inhabits open, sunny areas near streams and ponds.
White and Sulphur Butterflies in Frederick County, Maryland
Cabbage White
The Cabbage White butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a light green with a white spot on the front of each wing. They are usually found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as fields, gardens, and meadows.
Checkered White
A Checkered White butterfly is a large butterfly with a pattern of black and white squares on its wings. The butterfly is found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and is usually seen flying around in groups.
Clouded Sulphur
The Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dark brown body and wings. They are found in the eastern United States, and can be found near streams and rivers. They are attracted to light, and are known to feed on nectar from flowers.
Cloudless Sulphur
A Cloudless Sulphur butterfly has a black and yellow wings. They live in the forests of eastern North America.
Falcate Orangetip
The Falcate Orangetip butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is usually light brown or yellow with black markings, and is found in tropical areas. It prefers to live inopen, sunny areas with some flowers, but can also be found in forests.
Little Yellow
The Little Yellow butterfly is a small butterfly that has a yellow body and black wings. They are found in warm climates, and often fly in open areas.
Orange Sulphur
The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a striking butterfly with a bright orange wings and body. They are found in open woodlands and meadows, and are often seen flying close to the ground.
Sleepy Orange
The Sleepy Orange butterfly is a small butterfly that is mainly found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. They are typically dark orange with black markings, and have a characteristic sleepy look to them. They are often found on the forest floor sleeping or napping.
West Virginia White
West Virginia White butterflies are small, mostly white butterflies with a small brown spot on their wings. They live in deciduous and mixed forests, and are often seen flitting around flowers.
That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Frederick County, Maryland. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Maryland? We have lists for each of the 24 counties in the state.