Butterflies in Hillsborough County, Florida

There are 118 species of butterflies you can find in Hillsborough County, Florida. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Hillsborough County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:


Brush-footed Butterflies in Hillsborough County, Florida

‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple

The ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a striking red spot on each wing. They are found in open habitats with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and woodlands.

American Lady

The American Lady butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly. It typically has a wingspan of about two inches. It is found in open areas near streams and lakes, and in forests.

American Snout

The American Snout butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a long nose. They are found in the eastern United States, from New York to Florida. They love to feed on nectar from flowers, and their habitat includes open woodland, fields, and gardens.

Appalachian Brown

The Appalachian Brown butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is dark brown with reddish brown markings on its wings. It is found in open woodland and meadows, but is also found near urban areas.

Carolina Satyr

The Carolina Satyr butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a white band across its wings. It is found in the southeastern United States, where it feeds on nectar from flowers.

Common Buckeye

The Common Buckeye butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in many different habitats. They can be found in many different parts of the United States, including the east coast, the midwest, and the west coast. They are usually found near forests, meadows, and other areas with lots of vegetation.

Common Wood-Nymph

The Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is a small, delicate looking butterfly that is usually brown or black. They are usually found in woodlands, but can also be found in gardens. They are attracted to flowers, but also eat small insects.

Gemmed Satyr

A Gemmed Satyr butterfly has a striking metallic green and copper coloration, with black and yellow spots on their wings. They are found in open areas with lots of sunshine, such as meadows and fields.

Georgia Satyr

The Georgia Satyr butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is light brown with a dark brown stripe down the center of its forewing. The Georgia Satyr butterfly lives in open forests and woodlands, and is most commonly found near streams.

Gulf Fritillary

The Gulf Fritillary butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that is brightly coloured with a yellow and black band across its wings. The butterfly is found in open areas such as meadows and woodlands, where it feeds on nectar from flowers.

Hackberry Emperor

The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. The wings are a deep maroon color and the butterfly has a white band across the middle of its wings. The butterfly is found in the tropical forests of Central and South America.

Julia Heliconian

The Julia Heliconian butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the Heliconian Islands. These butterflies thrive in humid, tropical areas with plenty of nectar sources.

Mangrove Buckeye

A Mangrove Buckeye butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a distinctive pattern of yellow and brown on its wings. They are found in the warm, moist forests of the eastern United States, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Monarch

A Monarch butterfly is a beautiful creature that typically has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. They are mostly black and yellow, with a distinctive white band across the middle of their wings. They are found in the tropical regions of North America, Central America, and South America. They typically inhabit high-altitude areas, where the climate is warm and humid.

Painted Lady

The Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange wings. They are usually found in open areas such as fields, gardens, and meadows. The butterfly prefers to live in warm climates, but can survive in colder climates if they are protected from the cold.

Pearl Crescent

A Pearl Crescent butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly that resides in rainforest habitats. They are typically seen flying around near water sources, such as streams and rivers.

Phaon Crescent

Phaon Crescent butterflies are small, colorful butterflies that live in warm, moist habitats like forests and gardens. They are usually seen flying around during the day, but can also be seen at night.

Queen

Queen butterflies are the largest butterflies in North America. They are metallic green and have a wingspan of up to 3.5 inches. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Question Mark

The Question Mark butterfly is a small, brown and white butterfly. They are usually found in open areas such as fields, meadows, orchards, and forests. They are also found around flowers.

Red Admiral

A Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a red body and wings. They are found in warm, sunny areas such as gardens and parks. They are attracted to flowers and nectar, and can be seen flitting around in search of food.

Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral

The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with striking red spots on its wings. They are usually found in warm, dry areas, such as fields and gardens.

Ruddy Daggerwing

The Ruddy Daggerwing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly and can be found in the forested areas of North America. They are usually seen flitting around actively looking for food.

Soldier

Soldier butterflies have a wingspan of about 2 inches and a body color that ranges from light brown to black. They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens.

Tawny Emperor

The Tawny Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic blue and bronze wings. They are found in tropical areas, typically near water sources. They are very common in India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Texan Crescent

and what it eats

The Texan Crescent butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a crescent-shaped wingspan. They are found in open, grassy areas with some flowers, such as lupines, in the vicinity. They feed on nectar and pollen, and are popular among butterfly watchers.

Variegated Fritillary

A Variegated Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a variety of colors on its wings. They are typically found in open, sunny areas such as meadows and forests.

Viceroy

The Viceroy butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of over two inches. It is mostly black but has a metallic green sheen on its wings. The adults live in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, but the larvae live in the rainforests of Central and South America.

Viola’s Wood-Satyr

A Viola’s Wood-Satyr butterfly is a small, brown and white butterfly that is found in dry areas of the eastern United States. They are commonly found in deciduous and mixed forests, but can also be found in open fields.

White Peacock

A White Peacock butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a blue and white wings. They are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They live in forested areas, where they feed on nectar.

Zebra Heliconian

The Zebra Heliconian butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States and parts of Canada. They are usually found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.


Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Hillsborough County, Florida

Atala

Atala butterflies are brightly coloured and have a wingspan of about one inch. They are found in tropical forests and other humid areas.

Banded Hairstreak

The Banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with black and white stripes on its wings. They are found in all types of habitats, from forests to fields.

Cassius Blue

A Cassius Blue butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 1/2 inches. They are found in the eastern United States, in the southern part of the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba, and in the south-central United States. They are common in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, woodlands, and pastures.

Ceraunus Blue

The Ceraunus Blue Butterfly is a bright blue butterfly with a black margin on the wings. It frequents open, sunny areas such as meadows and fields.

Eastern Pygmy-Blue

Eastern Pygmy-Blue butterflies are the smallest species of butterfly in North America. They are typically metallic blue with a small white dot on the wing’s posterior. They are found in meadows, woodlands, and gardens, and are attracted to flowers.

Fulvous Hairstreak

The Fulvous Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, meadows, and prairies. This butterfly has a wingspan of about 3 inches and is mostly gray with a faint purple tinge.

Gray Hairstreak

The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly that has a gray body and brown wings. They live in open areas with lots of vegetation, such as meadows, forests, and gardens.

Great Purple Hairstreak

A Great Purple Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful insect with a bright purple body and wings. They are common visitors to gardens and are typically found feeding on nectar from flowers. They are usually found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, but can also be found in forested areas.

Harvester

A Harvester butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that lives in open fields and forests. They are usually seen near flowers and are very active fliers.

Henry’s Elfin

The Henry’s Elfin butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that is native to California. They are typically found in open, grassy areas near running water, such as creeks and rivers.

Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak

The Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak butterfly is a small, brown and white butterfly that is found in scrubby areas and open woodlands.

Miami Blue

The Miami Blue butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, gardens, and fields.

Oak Hairstreak

The Oak Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. Their wings are a light green with a black and white pattern. They love to feed on nectar from oak trees, and can be found in open areas near oak trees.

Red-banded Hairstreak

The Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly is a bright red and black butterfly. They live in open areas, such as fields, woodlands, and meadows.

White-M Hairstreak

A White-M Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a striking white coloration on its wings. They are typically found in open, sunny areas, such as prairies, meadows, and pastures.


Metalmark Butterflies in Hillsborough County, Florida

Little Metalmark

The Little Metalmark butterfly is a small brown butterfly that can be found in the United States. They inhabit open areas with lots of vegetation, such as meadows and gardens.


Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Hillsborough County, Florida

Black Swallowtail

Black Swallowtail butterflies are typically a dark color with a yellow band across their wings. They prefer to live in open areas with lots of flowers, and are usually seen flying around in groups.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a black and orange wings. They live in the forests of eastern North America.

Giant Swallowtail

A Giant Swallowtail butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly with a long tail. They live in tropical rain forests.

Palamedes Swallowtail

The Palamedes Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a rich blue with a white band near the base. They are found in the tropics, usually in areas with dense vegetation.

Pipevine Swallowtail

The Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in warm, dry areas of the United States and southern Canada. They are usually found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as prairies and meadows.

Polydamas Swallowtail

The Polydamas Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the forested areas of North America. It has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches and is a metallic blue color with a green and yellow stripe on its wings. The habitat of a Polydamas Swallowtail butterfly is the forested areas, where they can be found feeding on nectar from flowers.

Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies are colorful and have long tails. They live in the forests of North America.

Zebra Swallowtail

The Zebra Swallowtail butterfly is one of the most beautiful butterflies in the world. It is a medium-sized butterfly with black and yellow stripes on its wings. The habitat of the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly is mainly forests, but it can also be found in open areas.


Skipper Butterflies in Hillsborough County, Florida

Aaron’s Skipper

A Aaron’s Skipper butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with wings that are striped light and dark. They are found in open areas with a lot of flowers, like meadows and woodlands.

Arogos Skipper

The Arogos Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly found in the tropical rainforest. Adult Arogos Skippers are typically bright blue and yellow with black markings, and they have long tails. They are active flyers that feed on nectar from plants.

Baracoa Skipper

The Baracoa Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in the Caribbean. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The habitat of the Baracoa Skipper butterfly is tropical rainforest.

Brazilian Skipper

A Brazilian Skipper butterfly is typically a bright orange or yellow color with black and white stripes on its wings. They are found in open, sunny areas near water, such as gardens and fields.

Byssus Skipper

A Byssus Skipper butterfly is a small, dark-colored butterfly that frequents open areas near water. They are often seen flying around flowers.

Clouded Skipper

The Clouded Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen to its wings. It is commonly found in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Cofaqui Giant-Skipper

The Cofaqui Giant-Skipper butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to 2.5 inches. They are mostly black, with yellow and orange markings on their wings. They are found in the tropical moist forests of Central America.

Common Sootywing

A Common Sootywing butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a dark brown or black body and wings. They are found in open areas with lots of dry grass and flowers.

Confused Cloudywing

A Confused Cloudywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in many habitats, including forests and meadows.

Crossline Skipper

The Crossline Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically orange and black. It is found in open areas with many flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Delaware Skipper

The Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open areas in the eastern United States. It is usually seen flying around flowers in summertime.

Dorantes Longtail

The Dorantes Longtail butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are predominantly black with yellow and blue markings, and can be found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. They are attracted to flowers and often perch on high branches to feed.

Dotted Skipper

A Dotted Skipper butterfly has dark spots on a light brown background. They are found in open habitats with lots of flowering plants.

Dukes’ Skipper

The Dukes’ Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. The butterfly has a yellow and black body with a brown, triangular patch on the thorax. The butterfly lives in open areas with lots of flowers, and is very common in North America.

Dun Skipper

The Dun Skipper butterfly is a small, black and yellow butterfly found in open areas with plenty of nectar sources.

Dusky Roadside-Skipper

The Dusky Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a small, dark butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in open, lightly vegetated areas and are usually seen flitting around near flowers.

Dusted Skipper

The Dusted Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a distinctive white band on the upper wing. They are found in open areas with sandy soils, such as meadows and fields.

Eufala Skipper

A Eufala Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is a medium-sized butterfly with a light brown or buff wings that are speckled with black. The butterfly is found in open woods and meadows, where it feeds on nectar from flowers.

Fiery Skipper

A Fiery Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a distinctive pattern of red, yellow, and black. They are found in open habitats, such as meadows and prairies, where they feed on flowers.

Horace’s Duskywing

The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a dark brown wings and a yellow-orange tail. The butterfly prefers to live in open, grassy areas near streams or ponds.

Juvenal’s Duskywing

The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a black border around its wings. The habitat of a Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is open countryside, often near streams or rivers.

Least Skipper

The Least Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is often seen flitting around flowers. It has a brown body with a yellow stripe down the middle of its back. The habitat of the Least Skipper butterfly is open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens.

Long-tailed Skipper

A Long-tailed Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a long tail. They are typically light brown or cream with a dark brown border around the wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Mangrove Skipper

Mangrove Skipper butterflies are typically a metallic green with a blue or purple sheen. They are found in tropical and subtropical environments near mangroves.

Meske’s Skipper

The Meske’s Skipper butterfly is a small, reddish brown butterfly with a black border around each wing. They are found in open areas such as meadows and fields, and are usually seen flying near the ground.

Monk

Monk butterflies are typically light brown or tan with dark stripes down their backs. They are found in open, grassy areas with plenty of flowers.

Neamathla Skipper

The Neamathla Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is a colorful butterfly with a broad yellow band across the wings and a red spot on the wing’s edge. The butterfly is found in the forests of southeastern Oregon and northern California.

Northern Broken-Dash

The Northern Broken-Dash butterfly is a colorful butterfly that can be found in open, dry habitats such as prairies, savannas and open woods.

Northern Cloudywing

Northern Cloudywings are a species of butterfly that ranges throughout North America. They are generally found in open areas, such as fields and meadows.

Obscure Skipper

The Obscure Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that typically has a light brown or gray body with dark brown wings. They are found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and pastures.

Ocola Skipper

A Ocola Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches and is light brown with a dark brown stripe down the middle of its wings. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to flowers.

Palatka Skipper

The Palatka Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a white band across its wings. Found in Florida and other parts of the southeastern United States, the Palatka Skipper butterfly frequents open areas near water such as ponds, lakes, and swamps.

Palmetto Skipper

The Palmetto Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is common in the Florida Everglades. It is a member of the family Pieridae, and its wings are covered in small, black spots. The Palmetto Skipper butterfly is found in dense tropical vegetation, and typically feeds on nectar from flowers.

Sachem

A Sachem butterfly has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. They are a beautiful dark blue with a white stripe running down the center of each wing. They are found in the north-central United States, especially in the Great Lakes region. They are usually found in dense forest, but can also be found in open fields.

Salt Marsh Skipper

The Salt Marsh Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in marshes and wet prairies. They are attracted to flowers and nectar, and are commonly seen flitting around in the marsh grasses.

Silver-spotted Skipper

A Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2-3 inches. The wings are a metallic silver with a few scattered black spots. The butterfly lives in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and prairies.

Sleepy Duskywing

Sleepy Duskywing butterflies are typically a dark brown or black, with lighter areas on the wings. They are found in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Southern Broken-Dash

A Southern Broken-Dash butterfly is a beautiful, metallic blue butterfly that can be found in open, grassy areas near running water.

Southern Cloudywing

A Southern Cloudywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that typically has a dark brown or black body with a light brown or white underside. They are typically found in open habitats such as fields and forests, but can also be found in gardens and orchards.

Southern Skipperling

A Southern Skipperling butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically brown and has a wingspan of about 1 1/2 inches. They are found in open habitat, such as fields and meadows, and are usually seen flying in small flocks.

Swarthy Skipper

A Swarthy Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dark brown or black wings. They are usually found in warm, dry habitats such as forests and grasslands.

Tawny-edged Skipper

The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in open areas, including gardens and parks. The habitat of this butterfly is warm, dry areas.

Three-spotted Skipper

The Three-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with three red spots on its wings. They live in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are usually seen flying around in large groups.

Tropical Checkered-Skipper

A Tropical Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in warm climates. They are usually found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, but can also be found near the edges of forests. They are usually seen flying around during the day, and are often attracted to flowers.

Twin-spot Skipper

The Twin-spot Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a light blue with a small spot on each wing. The butterfly is commonly found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens.

Whirlabout

A Whirlabout butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a distinctive darted-shaped body. It has a wingspan of about one and a half inches. The butterfly is found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. The habitat of a Whirlabout butterfly is dense rainforest where it can find nectar and pollen.

White Checkered-Skipper

The White Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a large butterfly with black and white stripes on its wings. They are found in open areas, such as meadows and fields, and are often seen flitting around flowers.

Yucca Giant-Skipper

Yucca Giant-Skipper butterflies are large, colorful butterflies that inhabit the open, sunny spaces of the desert. They are attracted to bright colors and are often seen flitting around flowers.

Zabulon Skipper

The Zabulon Skipper butterfly is a small brown butterfly with a white band across the top of its wings. They are found in open habitats with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Zarucco Duskywing

A Zarucco Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful dark brown butterfly with a white band on its wing. They are found in the tropics, typically in wet forests.


White and Sulphur Butterflies in Hillsborough County, Florida

Barred Yellow

A Barred Yellow butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly is predominantly yellow, with a black band that runs the length of its wings. The butterflies are found in open areas, such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Cabbage White

The Cabbage White butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that is mostly white with a small amount of black on the wings. The butterfly inhabits open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens.

Checkered White

The Checkered White butterfly is a large butterfly with colorful markings on its wings. Its wings are a light blue with bright yellow and red stripes. Its wingspan is about 3 inches. The Checkered White butterfly lives in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and prairies.

Cloudless Sulphur

The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. It is a delicate butterfly that is very colorful and has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly lives in open areas with lots of sunshine and fresh air.

Dainty Sulphur

Dainty Sulphur butterflies have a bright yellow body with black stripes and a black tail. They are found in the rainforest and feed on nectar from flowers.

Florida White

The Florida white butterfly ranges from the southeastern United States all the way to central Florida. They are common in open areas such as fields, gardens, and meadows.

Great Southern White

The Great Southern White butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and white wings. It is found in open areas, such as meadows and fields, and is often seen flitting around flowers.

Large Orange Sulphur

Large Orange Sulphur butterflies have a wingspan of up to 2 inches. They are common in open habitats with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Little Yellow

A Little Yellow butterfly is typically smaller than other butterflies and has a yellow and black wings pattern. They are found in open areas such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to flowers.

Orange Sulphur

The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the eastern United States. They are very common butterflies and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens.

Orange-barred Sulphur

A Orange-barred Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with bright orange wings. They can be found in warm, dry areas with lots of flowers.

Sleepy Orange

Sleepy Orange butterflies are typically seen in coastal areas and gardens. They are attracted to light and can be found near flowers.

Southern Dogface

A Southern Dogface butterfly looks like a delicate butterfly with a white wings and a blue collar around its thorax. The habitat of a Southern Dogface butterfly is warm, moist areas near water.

Statira Sulphur

The Statira Sulphur butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. The wings are a glossy black with a yellow-orange band across the middle. The Statira Sulphur butterfly is found in the dry, open forests of the southeastern United States.


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