Red butterflies in a blue field

Butterflies in Highlands County, Florida

There are 88 species of butterflies you can find in Highlands County, Florida. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Highlands County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:

Brush-footed Butterflies in Highlands County, Florida

American Lady

The American Lady butterfly is a large, orange butterfly with black spots on its wings. The American Lady butterfly lives in open areas, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Carolina Satyr

The Carolina Satyr butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of up to two inches. They are found in the southern United States, where they inhabit open areas with dense vegetation.

Common Buckeye

A Common Buckeye butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in deciduous and mixed forests.

Georgia Satyr

The Georgia Satyr butterfly is one of the most beautiful butterflies in the United States. They are typically blue with a white stripe down their spine. They are found in the Appalachian Mountains and are known to be attracted to flowers.

Gulf Fritillary

The Gulf Fritillary butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches and is a striking blue and white color. They are found in the Gulf Coast states of Texas, Louisiana, and Florida and in the lowlands of Central America. They are very shy butterflies and are only found in open areas with plenty of flowers.

Hackberry Emperor

The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of two feet. They are predominantly black with a bright orange band on the top of their wings. They are found in the tropical regions of the world, generally in dry, open forests.

Malachite

The Malachite butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in various habitats around the world. They are commonly found in forests, but can also be found in parks and other open areas. They are very active and fly around a lot.

Monarch

The Monarch butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to two inches. They are brightly coloured with a narrow black band running the length of their wings. They are most commonly found in North America, but can also be found in Central America and the Caribbean. Monarchs prefer to live in warm, sunny areas with plenty of flowers to feed on.

Pearl Crescent

The Pearl Crescent butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It has a light green body with a purple band running the length of its wings. The butterfly is found in the forests of North America and Eurasia.

Phaon Crescent

The Phaon Crescent butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in open areas near water. They are usually seen flying around during the day.

Queen

Queen butterflies are beautiful and have a wingspan of up to three inches. They are found in a variety of habitats, but are most commonly found in open areas with plenty of flowers.

Question Mark

The Question Mark butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a distinctive question mark pattern on its wings. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Red Admiral

The Red Admiral butterfly is a large butterfly that is typically red in color. They are found in the tropical rainforest regions of Central and South America.

Ruddy Daggerwing

A Ruddy Daggerwing butterfly has a reddish brown color with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in the tropical forests of Central and South America.

Soldier

A Soldier butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that lives in open areas. They are often seen flying around in groups.

Tawny Emperor

A Tawny Emperor butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and are most common in India, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines. They are often seen perched on tree branches or flying around Flowers. They are listed as a vulnerable species because their habitat is being destroyed.

Variegated Fritillary

Most Variegated Fritillaries are colorful, with blues, greens, and purples. They are usually found in meadows and gardens, but can also be found in forested areas.

Viceroy

A Viceroy butterfly has a brightly coloured body with black and yellow stripes. They have a wingspan of about 2 inches. They live in tropical and subtropical countries.

Viola’s Wood-Satyr

The Viola’s Wood-Satyr butterfly is a large butterfly with a brown body and a wingspan of up to 2.5 inches. They are commonly found in moist, shady forests, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

White Peacock

The White Peacock butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a distinctive blue and black wings. They are found in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, and prefer open habitats such as forests, marshes, and gardens.

Zebra Heliconian

A Zebra Heliconian butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They live in warm, tropical climates, and are commonly found flying around flowers.

Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Highlands County, Florida

Banded Hairstreak

A Banded Hairstreak butterfly has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. They are mostly tan with black bands across their wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, forests, and pastures.

Cassius Blue

The Cassius Blue butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a blue body and orange wings. The butterfly lives in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Ceraunus Blue

The Ceraunus Blue butterfly is a small, blue butterfly that is found in North America. They are commonly found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Fulvous Hairstreak

The Fulvous Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright blue and yellow wings. They are found in grasslands and are attracted to flowering plants.

Gray Hairstreak

The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3 inches. They are dark gray with a white stripe down the middle of their wings. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Great Purple Hairstreak

A Great Purple Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright purple wings. They are found in open woodlands and gardens, and can be seen flitting around in the sunshine.

Henry’s Elfin

Henry’s Elfin butterflies are small, colorful butterflies that are found in open fields and meadows.

Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak

The Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically seen flying around flowers. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The habitat of this butterfly is generally open grasslands or scrubland.

Oak Hairstreak

A Oak Hairstreak butterfly has beautiful orange and black stripes on their wings. They live in warm, open forests where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Red-banded Hairstreak

The Red-banded Hairstreak is a small butterfly that has a green body with a red band across the middle of its wings. The habitat of the Red-banded Hairstreak is open areas with plenty of flowers.

White-M Hairstreak

The White-M Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly that typically has a white bottom and wings. They are found in the eastern United States, Canada, and the southern part of the European continent. They are typically found in open areas with lots of flowers, but can also be found in forested areas.

Metalmark Butterflies in Highlands County, Florida

Little Metalmark

The Little Metalmark butterfly is a small, metallic brown butterfly. It is found in open forests and scrublands.

Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Highlands County, Florida

Black Swallowtail

A Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful insect with a black body and colorful wings. They are found in the forests and meadows of North America. They are attracted to flowers, but will also feed on nectar from other plants.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful creature with a black and orange wings. They are commonly found in forests, but can also be found in other open areas.

Giant Swallowtail

A Giant Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are usually seen flying around in open areas such as fields, but can be found in many different habitats including forests, meadows, and wetlands.

Palamedes Swallowtail

A Palamedes Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful insect with a wingspan of up to two inches. They are found in open spaces, including meadows, pastures, and fields. They are also found in areas with a lot of trees and shrubs.

Pipevine Swallowtail

The Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. It is dark brown with a light brown band across its wings. It lives in open areas including prairies, meadows, and forests.

Polydamas Swallowtail

The Polydamas Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a blue and black wings. The habitat of a Polydamas Swallowtail butterfly is a lush area with lots of flowers.

Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies are green and black with white stripes down their backs. They live in open woods, meadows, and prairies.

Zebra Swallowtail

A Zebra Swallowtail butterfly is a striking species that is commonly seen flitting about in open areas. Adult specimens are mostly black with bright yellow stripes along their wings. They feed on nectar from flowers, and their habitats include open woodlands and grasslands.

Skipper Butterflies in Highlands County, Florida

Aaron’s Skipper

The Aaron’s Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that can be found in open, grassy areas throughout much of North America.

Brazilian Skipper

The Brazilian Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are mostly brown with black markings and have a yellow band on the bottom of their wings. They are found in tropical areas of Central and South America. They are usually found near flowing water and prefer open areas with lots of sunlight.

Byssus Skipper

A Byssus Skipper butterfly is a black and yellow butterfly with a white band across its wings. They live in open areas with plenty of flowers, like fields and meadows.

Clouded Skipper

A Clouded Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a black and white butterfly and can be found in open areas near water.

Confused Cloudywing

The Confused Cloudywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is a common butterfly found in many parts of North America. The butterfly is usually found in open areas, such as meadows and pastures, but can also be found in forests.

Delaware Skipper

The Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open areas with flowers.

Dorantes Longtail

The Dorantes Longtail butterfly has a wingspan of about 3 inches. It is a brightly-colored butterfly that can be seen flying around in open areas such as prairies, meadows, and forests. The Dorantes Longtail butterfly is most commonly found in Central and South America, however, there are also populations found in North America. The Dorantes Longtail butterfly prefers warm, dry climates.

Dotted Skipper

A Dotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a spotted wingspan. They live in open habitats, such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Dusted Skipper

A Dusted Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a pale brown butterfly with a dusting of white on its wings. It is found in open areas with a lot of flowery vegetation, such as fields and meadows.

Eufala Skipper

The Eufala Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in the Gulf states and southern California. They are usually seen flying around flowers or near water.

Fiery Skipper

A Fiery Skipper butterfly is brightly colored and has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in open areas near water, often near the edges of woods or in fields.

Horace’s Duskywing

The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. It is found in the southeastern United States, from Florida to Texas. The butterfly lives in open fields and woods, where it feeds on aphids.

Juvenal’s Duskywing

The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a brown and black butterfly. It is found in the eastern and central United States. The habitat is open areas with plenty of flowers.

Least Skipper

The Least Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that mostly lives in open areas, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Long-tailed Skipper

A Long-tailed Skipper butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a long tail. They live in open habitats, such as fields and gardens, where they feed on pollen and nectar.

Meske’s Skipper

The Meske’s Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a black and white wings. The habitat of this butterfly is in forests.

Monk

Monk butterflies are typically a bright yellow or orange color, with black spots on their wings. They usually reside in forests and other areas with lots of vegetation.

Northern Broken-Dash

A Northern Broken-Dash butterfly is dark brown with purple-black markings on the wings. They live in open spaces, such as meadows, fields, and forests, and prefer to fly during the day.

Northern Cloudywing

Northern Cloudywing butterflies are dark brown with white markings on their wings. They live in the forests of North America.

Ocola Skipper

The Ocola Skipper butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that is found in open, sunny areas throughout North America. They are commonly found near streams and lakes.

Palatka Skipper

The Palatka Skipper butterfly is a brightly-colored butterfly that lives in open areas. They are commonly found in Florida, but have also been found in Texas. They are most commonly found in deciduous trees, but can also be found in pine trees.

Palmetto Skipper

A Palmetto Skipper butterfly is a small, brightly-colored butterfly that frequents open spaces in the southern United States. They are known to migrate north in the spring, and can be found in open fields, gardens, and other areas with plenty of sunshine.

Sachem

A Sachem butterfly is a beautiful orange and black butterfly found in open woods and meadows. They are common in the eastern United States, but are also found in other parts of the world. They are very active butterflies and love to flutter around.

Silver-spotted Skipper

The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that has a metallic sheen to its wings. It is found in open habitats, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Sleepy Duskywing

A Sleepy Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown and black butterfly with a white spot on its wing. They live in open forests and can be found flying close to the ground.

Southern Broken-Dash

The Southern Broken-Dash butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a broken-dash pattern on its wings. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, including open fields, forests, and desert scrub.

Southern Skipperling

The Southern Skipperling butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a white spot on its wings. They are found in a variety of habitats, including open fields, woodlands, and gardens.

Swarthy Skipper

A Swarthy Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a black band across its wings. They are found in meadows and other open areas, and are usually active during the day.

Tawny-edged Skipper

The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in warm, dry habitats. It is brown with a yellow edge on its wings. It is typically found on the ground near fresh water sources.

Three-spotted Skipper

The Three-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically blue and black. It has three spots on its wings. The butterfly lives in open habitat, such as fields and meadows, and feeds on nectar.

Tropical Checkered-Skipper

A Tropical Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly that lives in tropical forests. They are usually seen flying around close to the ground.

Twin-spot Skipper

The Twin-spot Skipper butterfly is a small, black and yellow butterfly found in open habitats such as fields, meadows and forests.

Whirlabout

A Whirlabout butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, but they are usually found near water. They are usually light brown or gray in color and have a wingspan of about 1-1.5 inches.

Yucca Giant-Skipper

Yucca Giant-Skipper butterflies are large, colorful butterflies that can be found in the southwestern United States, including parts of California and Nevada. They prefer open, sandy areas with few trees, and are usually seen flying around during the day.

Zarucco Duskywing

The Zarucco Duskywing butterfly is a brown butterfly with a black band across the wings. They are found in the Amazon rainforest.

White and Sulphur Butterflies in Highlands County, Florida

Barred Yellow

The Barred Yellow butterfly inhabits grasslands, meadows, and other areas with a lot of flowers.

Cabbage White

The Cabbage White butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a white wingspan. They are most commonly found in open areas near crops and forests, but have been known to migrate as far north as Canada. They are attracted to light and are known to be territorial.

Checkered White

A Checkered White butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a checkered pattern on its wings. They live in warm, sunny areas with plenty of flowers to feed on.

Cloudless Sulphur

The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. The butterfly is predominantly yellow and black with a small amount of purple. The butterfly is found in the temperate forests of North America.

Dainty Sulphur

The Dainty Sulphur butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically orange or yellow with black markings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowering plants, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Great Southern White

The Great Southern White butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in subtropical and tropical areas. They are usually found close to water, and are known to thrive in areas with a lot of flowers.

Large Orange Sulphur

The Large Orange Sulphur butterfly is a large butterfly with orange wings and black markings. They are found in open areas with lots of grasslands and flowers.

Little Yellow

A Little Yellow butterfly is typically a small, yellow butterfly. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens.

Orange Sulphur

A Orange Sulphur butterfly has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. They are a beautiful light orange color and have black stripes on their wings. They are found in open areas with a lot of grass and flowers.

Orange-barred Sulphur

The Orange-barred Sulphur butterfly is light brown with a yellow and brown band across its wings. It prefers open, sunny areas such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Sleepy Orange

Sleepy Orange butterflies are typically orange and have black spots on their wings. They are found in forests and are attracted to nectar.

Southern Dogface

The Southern Dogface butterfly has a dark brown body with a white border on the wings. The butterfly lives in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Highlands County, Florida. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Florida? We have lists for each of the 67 counties in the state.