There are 103 species of butterflies you can find in Hamilton County, Ohio. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Hamilton County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:
Brush-footed Butterflies in Hamilton County, Ohio
‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple
A ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in open habitats, such as grasslands and prairies. They are attracted to nectar from flowers.
American Lady
The American Lady butterfly is a small, brightly colored butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are usually seen flitting around flowers or trees in warm, sunny areas.
American Snout
A American Snout butterfly is a brown and yellow butterfly that is found in open areas with plenty of flowers. They are usually found in the Midwest, but have been found in other parts of the country. They are attracted to nectar and are usually found near streams and rivers.
Aphrodite Fritillary
Aphrodite Fritillary butterflies are light brown with dark brown tips on their wings. They are found in open, sunny areas, such as meadows and fields.
Banded Peacock
The Banded Peacock butterfly has a predominantly black and white wingspan. It can be found in tropical and subtropical regions in the Americas. It frequents moist habitats such as rainforest and cedar swamp.
Carolina Satyr
The Carolina Satyr butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2-3 inches. It is found in the southeastern United States, especially in the Appalachian Mountains. Its habitat is moist woodland, gardens, and meadows.
Common Buckeye
The Common Buckeye butterfly is a beautiful insect with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is usually light green or blue with a yellow or orange stripe down its center. The butterfly lives in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Common Wood-Nymph
A Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is typically a small, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about one inch. They are usually light brown or tan, but can also be brightly coloured, such as blue, yellow, or orange. They are found in a variety of wooded habitats, including forests, gardens, and orchards.
Diana Fritillary
Diana Fritillary butterflies are beautiful with bright colors and a wingspan of about 2 inches. They live in open, sunny areas near water and flowers.
Eastern Comma
Eastern Comma butterflies are typically black and white, with a bright yellow or orange triangle on the wings. They are found in open woods, fields and meadows, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Gemmed Satyr
The Gemmed Satyr butterfly has a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are mostly reddish brown with a metallic sheen, and their eyes are green. They are found in tropical regions of the world, and are usually found near forests.
Goatweed Leafwing
The Goatweed Leafwing butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is mainly black with a yellow band around the middle of each wing. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.
Gray Comma
The Gray Comma butterfly is a small butterfly with a grayish-white wings and a black comma on the wingtip. They are found in open landscapes, such as prairies, but can also be found in urban areas. They prefer to stay close to flowers, but can also be found resting on leaves.
Great Spangled Fritillary
The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a brilliant metallic blue wings. They are found in open areas such as meadows, prairies and savannas, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Gulf Fritillary
A Gulf Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful and colorful butterfly. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, forests, and gardens.
Hackberry Emperor
The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are often seen flying around in large groups, and their habitat includes open forests, grasslands, and gardens.
Harris’ Checkerspot
The Harris’ Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic green body and a black and yellow wings. They prefer sunny areas with lots of flowers to lay their eggs, and are found in much of North America.
Little Wood-Satyr
A Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is typically light brown with darker markings on its wings. They are found in deciduous and mixed forests across North America.
Meadow Fritillary
A Meadow Fritillary butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches, and is mostly dark brown, with a white streak down the center of each wing. They live in meadows and other grassy areas, and are attracted to nectar.
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
A Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly looks like a small, brown and white butterfly with a characteristic black and white pattern on its wings. These butterflies are usually found in open areas with plenty of sunlight, such as fields or forests.
Monarch
Monarchs are a beautiful, brightly-colored butterfly. They are found in North America, mostly in the east. Their habitat includes open fields, woodlands, and gardens.
Mourning Cloak
The Mourning Cloak butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to two and a half inches. The wings are a dull brown and the undersides are a light brown. The Mourning Cloak butterfly is found in North America, Central America, and South America. It is most commonly found in the Amazon rainforest.
Northern Crescent
Northern Crescents are medium-sized butterflies with a wingspan of about one inch. They are mainly black with a greenish-yellow patch on their forewings. They live in meadows and fields where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Northern Pearly-eye
The Northern Pearly-eye butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the Northern United States. It is a small butterfly that is mostly black with a white eye line and a yellow triangle on its wings. The butterfly lives in open areas, near streams and ponds, and tends to feed on nectar.
Painted Lady
Painted Lady butterflies are beautiful butterflies with a brightly colored wingspan. They are commonly found in gardens and other areas with flowering plants.
Pearl Crescent
The Pearl Crescent butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange and black wings. They are found in forests, meadows, and gardens where they feed on nectar and pollen.
Question Mark
The Question Mark butterfly is typically spotted near water sources, such as ponds and streams. They are also common in open areas near forests.
Red Admiral
A Red Admiral butterfly is typically a brightly colored butterfly that can be seen flying around in open areas. They prefer warm, sunny areas and often feed on nectar from flowers.
Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral
The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a large butterfly that is usually seen flying in groups. These butterflies are known for their bright colors and their habit of feeding on nectar from flowers. They are most common in warm climates, but can also be found in cooler areas. The larvae of the Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly feed on plants in the mustard family.
Regal Fritillary
A Regal Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3 inches. They are usually brightly colored, with a yellow, orange, or red body, and a black and yellow hindwing. Regal Fritillaries live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, prairies, and woodlands.
Silvery Checkerspot
The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly has a metallic sheen on its wings and is often spotted near streams and other sources of water. They are typically found in open, sunny areas near plenty of flowering plants.
Tawny Emperor
The Tawny Emperor butterfly is a large, brightly coloured butterfly with a wingspan of up to two and a half inches. They are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and prefer areas with dense, tall vegetation. They are known to feed on nectar from flowers, and are a popular target for butterfly collectors.
Variegated Fritillary
A Variegated Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a variety of colors on its wings. They are mostly found in open, sunny areas, such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Viceroy
A Viceroy butterfly is a colourful butterfly that is found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are usually bright colours, with males especially sporting brightly coloured wings. They are found in habitats that include forests, gardens, and parks.
Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Hamilton County, Ohio
American Copper
The American Copper butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is dark brown with a reddish-orange stripe down the center of each wing. It lives in meadows and other open areas with lots of flowers.
Appalachian Azure
The Appalachian Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly that can be found in open, sunny areas in the Appalachian Mountains. They are most commonly found near streams and lakes.
Banded Hairstreak
Banded Hairstreak butterflies are beautiful insects with a wingspan of about one inch. The wings are a bright blue-green and the butterflies have a yellow band on each wing. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as prairies, meadows, and woodlands.
Bronze Copper
The Bronze Copper butterfly is a metallic brown butterfly with a blue stripe on its wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as prairies and meadows.
Cassius Blue
The Cassius Blue butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is native to the United States. It is a blue color and can be found in open areas such as forests, meadows, and fields.
Coral Hairstreak
Coral Hairstreak butterflies are a beautiful light brown and have a bright yellow band on their wings. They are found in warm and subtropical climates, and prefer open areas with lots of flowers. They are usually seen flitting around flowers in search of nectar.
Dusky Azure
A Dusky Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly with a dusky border around its wings. They are found in open woodland, corn fields, and other areas with a lot of light.
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies are a beautiful blue color and have a white tail. They live in humid areas with lots of flowers.
Edwards’ Hairstreak
The Edwards’ Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that flies in warm, sunny areas. They are commonly found in open forests, but can also be found in gardens and other wooded areas.
Frosted Elfin
The Frosted Elfin butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a purple body and a yellow and green wings. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Gray Hairstreak
A Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a slender body and long, gray wings. They are commonly found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests, where they fly around seeking food. They are usually seen flitting from flower to flower.
Great Purple Hairstreak
The Great Purple Hairstreak butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan up to five inches. The wings are a deep purple with a white margin. They are common in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests. They are attracted to flowers and often perch on top of them.
Harvester
A Harvester butterfly has a wingspan of about 3 inches. It has a brown body with a light tan band across its abdomen. The wings are brown with a white border. It lives in open areas with lots of flowering plants.
Henry’s Elfin
A Henry’s Elfin butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open habitats throughout North America. They are typically found near water sources, such as streams and ponds, and are known to migrate seasonally.
Hickory Hairstreak
The Hickory Hairstreak butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, but is most commonly found in open areas with plenty of oak and hickory trees.
Juniper Hairstreak
The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a bright orange wingspan. They are found in open, sunny areas near streams and rivers, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Purplish Copper
A Purplish Copper butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly that is often seen flying around in groups. They are commonly found in habitats such as forests, meadows, and gardens.
Reakirt’s Blue
The Reakirt’s Blue butterfly is a small, blue butterfly that can be found in open, wooded areas.
Red-banded Hairstreak
A Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with bright red wings that outline a white background. They are typically found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and woodlands.
Spring Azure
A Spring Azure butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a blue body and white wings. They are found in areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Striped Hairstreak
The Striped Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in open areas with a lot of sun. They are usually found near streams and rivers.
Summer Azure
The Summer Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly with a white band across its wings. They are found in a variety of habitats including meadows, forests, and gardens.
White-M Hairstreak
The White-M Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly found in open, wooded areas. They are usually seen flying around near flower petals.
Metalmark Butterflies in Hamilton County, Ohio
Northern Metalmark
Northern Metalmark butterflies are orange and brown with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in meadows, woods, and other open areas in the north.
Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Hamilton County, Ohio
Black Swallowtail
The Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a black and yellow body. They live in the forests and grasslands of North America.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are beautiful creatures with bright colors and a wingspan up to 3 inches. They usually inhabit open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Giant Swallowtail
The Giant Swallowtail butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of up to two feet. They are found in tropical forests and gardens.
Pipevine Swallowtail
The Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. They are usually seen flying around in open areas such as fields, but they can also be found in forested areas. The Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a member of the swallowtail family and is recognizable by the colorful wings and tail.
Spicebush Swallowtail
Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies are colorful and have a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in open areas with a lot of flowering plants, such as woods and gardens.
Zebra Swallowtail
A Zebra Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with rich, vibrant colors. They are usually found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and woodlands.
Skipper Butterflies in Hamilton County, Ohio
Common Checkered-Skipper
A Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a colorful wingspan. They are usually seen flying around flowers and are often spotted in wildflower meadows.
Common Roadside-Skipper
The Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is usually brown or black, with white spots or patches on the wings. They are found in open areas, such as fields and roadsides, and are most active early in the morning or late in the evening.
Common Sootywing
A Common Sootywing butterfly is a small, brown and black butterfly. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as prairies and meadows.
Crossline Skipper
Crossline Skipper butterflies are small, brown butterflies with a crossline on the wing. They live in open habitats with lots of flowers, including meadows and prairies.
Delaware Skipper
The Delaware Skipper butterfly is typically a light blue or green color and has a black band across its wings. They are usually found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and woods.
Dreamy Duskywing
The Dreamy Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dusky brown wings. They prefer shady areas to fly around in and are commonly found in deciduous forests.
Dun Skipper
A Dun Skipper butterfly is small, with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It has a light brown body with a dark brown stripe down the middle of its wings. The habitat of a Dun Skipper butterfly is open fields, meadows, and forests, where it feeds on nectar from flowers.
European Skipper
The European Skipper butterfly looks like a small, brown and black butterfly with a white band around its middle. They are found in open spaces, such as meadows and fields, and are usually found near water.
Fiery Skipper
Fiery Skipper butterflies are orange and black with a yellow and black band across their wings. They live in the prairies and open woodlands of North America.
Hayhurst’s Scallopwing
A Hayhurst’s Scallopwing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about three inches. They are usually seen flying around flowers in the late morning or early afternoon. They are found in warm, tropical climates.
Hoary Edge
A Hoary Edge butterfly has a dark border around its wings and a light border on its underside. They are common in forests and other areas with lots of trees.
Hobomok Skipper
A Hobomok Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1-1/2 inches and is mostly black with a few white spots. They are found in open woods and fields, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Horace’s Duskywing
The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a brown and black butterfly with a white band on its wings. They live in open, grassy areas with a lot of flowers.
Juvenal’s Duskywing
A Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. They are usually found in open areas with lots of vegetation, such as meadows, forests, and marshes.
Least Skipper
Least Skippers are small, brown butterflies that typically inhabit open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens. They are attracted to sources of nectar, and can be found near flowers during the day.
Little Glassywing
The Little Glassywing butterfly is a small butterfly with a distinctive wing pattern. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Northern Broken-Dash
The Northern Broken-Dash butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a broken-dash pattern on its wings. They are found in open, grassy areas with some trees nearby.
Northern Cloudywing
Northern Cloudywings are a small butterfly that is usually found near water. They have a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are usually light brown with a dark clouding on their wings. They are found in moist woods and gardens.
Ocola Skipper
The Ocola Skipper butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. It is a member of the family Nymphalidae and is known for its distinctive orange and black wings. The butterfly frequents open areas, such as meadows and fields, and is often seen flitting around flowers.
Peck’s Skipper
The Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open areas near ponds, streams, and other bodies of water. They are usually seen flying around during the day.
Pepper and Salt Skipper
A Pepper and Salt Skipper butterfly is a beautiful insect with a bright yellow and black wings. They are commonly found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests. They like to live near water sources where they can drink and bathe.
Sachem
A Sachem butterfly has a brown body with a white stripe running down its middle. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields and meadows.
Silver-spotted Skipper
A Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a spotted wing pattern. They are most commonly found in open habitats such as fields and meadows, but can also be found in forests.
Sleepy Duskywing
A Sleepy Duskywing butterfly looks like a dark brown or black butterfly with a light brown or buffy border. They are typically found in open woods, fields, and meadows, but can also be found near streams and rivers. They are active during the morning and evening, but are often found resting in the shade during the hottest part of the day.
Southern Cloudywing
The Southern Cloudywing butterfly has a wingspan of about 3 inches. The wings are a light blue with a slight sheen. The butterflies live in humid forests.
Swarthy Skipper
The Swarthy Skipper butterfly is a small brown butterfly that is found in tropical America. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The habitat of the Swarthy Skipper butterfly is tropical rainforests.
Tawny-edged Skipper
A Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a dark brown body and lighter brown wings. They are found in open areas, such as meadows and prairies, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Wild Indigo Duskywing
The Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dusky blue wings and a light blue tail. The butterfly is found in open forests and prairies, and can be found feeding on nectar from flowers.
Zabulon Skipper
The Zabulon Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly found in open woodlands and brushy areas.
White and Sulphur Butterflies in Hamilton County, Ohio
Cabbage White
The Cabbage White butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. The wings are a pale yellow with a pattern of black spots. The butterfly is found in open areas, such as fields, meadows, and forests. The butterfly stays close to the ground and prefers to feed on flowers.
Checkered White
A Checkered White butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are adorned with black and white checkered patterns. They are found in open habitats, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Clouded Sulphur
The Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 3 inches. The butterfly is mostly black but has a series of blue and green stripes on its wings. The butterflies are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and prairies.
Cloudless Sulphur
The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is a small, orange and black butterfly found in the eastern United States and parts of Canada. They are found in open habitats with lots of sunshine and fresh air.
Dainty Sulphur
The Dainty Sulphur butterfly is a small butterfly with a delicate wingspan. It is usually seen flying around bushes and trees in moist areas.
Falcate Orangetip
The Falcate Orangetip butterfly is a beautiful specimen with a long, thin wingspan. They are usually found in tropical forests, but can also be found in gardens and other open areas.
Little Yellow
The larvae of the Little Yellow butterfly feed on the nectar of a variety of plants, including milkweed. They are found in open areas such as meadows, pastures, and gardens.
Orange Sulphur
A Orange Sulphur butterfly is typically a light orange color with black markings on its wings. They are typically found in open areas with lots of vegetation, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Sleepy Orange
Sleepy Orange butterflies live in the tropical rainforest. They are very small and have a bright orange body with a black border. They have black spots on their wings and a black tail.
Southern Dogface
A Southern Dogface butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are mostly light brown, with a few black spots on the wings. They live in open areas, such as fields, meadows, and forests.
That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Hamilton County, Ohio. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Ohio? We have lists for each of the 88 counties in the state.
- Adams
- Allen
- Ashland
- Ashtabula
- Athens
- Auglaize
- Belmont
- Brown
- Butler
- Carroll
- Champaign
- Clark
- Clermont
- Clinton
- Columbiana
- Coshocton
- Crawford
- Cuyahoga
- Darke
- Defiance
- Delaware
- Erie
- Fairfield
- Fayette
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Gallia
- Geauga
- Greene
- Guernsey
- Hamilton
- Hancock
- Hardin
- Harrison
- Henry
- Highland
- Hocking
- Holmes
- Huron
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Knox
- Lake
- Lawrence
- Licking
- Logan
- Lorain
- Lucas
- Madison
- Mahoning
- Marion
- Medina
- Meigs
- Mercer
- Miami
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Morgan
- Morrow
- Muskingum
- Noble
- Ottawa
- Paulding
- Perry
- Pickaway
- Pike
- Portage
- Preble
- Putnam
- Richland
- Ross
- Sandusky
- Scioto
- Seneca
- Shelby
- Stark
- Summit
- Trumbull
- Tuscarawas
- Union
- Van Wert
- Vinton
- Warren
- Washington
- Wayne
- Williams
- Wood
- Wyandot