Butterflies in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

There are 84 species of butterflies you can find in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. 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, New Hampshire

‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple

The ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is commonly found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests. They are typically seen flitting around flowers and drinking nectar.

American Lady

The American Lady butterfly is a colorful butterfly that frequents open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens.

Aphrodite Fritillary

The Aphrodite Fritillary butterfly is a small butterfly that is commonly found in areas with lots of flowers. They are usually found in open fields and meadows.

Atlantis Fritillary

The Atlantis Fritillary butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about one meter. It is found in the tropical forests of Latin America, where it lives on the forest floor.

Common Buckeye

The Common Buckeye butterfly is a large butterfly that is found in the Eastern United States. The Common Buckeye butterfly is a member of the family Nymphalidae and is yellow with brown markings. The Common Buckeye butterfly is found in open forests and woodlands.

Common Ringlet

The Common Ringlet butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a light blue with a white spot in the middle of each wing. The butterflies live in open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens.

Common Wood-Nymph

A Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is typically a light brown or tan color with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in wooded areas, gardens, and meadows.

Compton Tortoiseshell

The Compton Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange wings and black stripes on its wings. They are found in open, dry areas such as prairies and woodlands.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma butterflies are typically a light brown with a black comma on their hindwings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Eyed Brown

Eyed Brown butterflies are typically a dull brown color with a white or light brown eyestrip. They are found in a variety of habitats including forests, meadows, and gardens.

Great Spangled Fritillary

The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange band across its wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Green Comma

A Green Comma butterfly has green and black wings. They usually live in forests, but can also be found in other types of habitats.

Harris’ Checkerspot

The Harris’ Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the western United States. It is a colorful butterfly that has a bright orange band across the tail. The habitat of the Harris’ Checkerspot butterfly is open areas with lots of flowers.

Little Wood-Satyr

The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The habitat of a Little Wood-Satyr butterfly includes moist forests and woodland, but they can also be found in gardens and orchards.

Milbert’s Tortoiseshell

Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterflies are beautiful creatures with striking patterns on their wings. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as prairies or meadows.

Monarch

A Monarch butterfly has a wingspan of about 3 inches and is light brown with black markings. They live in open spaces, such as fields and meadows, and migrate long distances. They feed on nectar from flowers, and their caterpillars eat leaves.

Mourning Cloak

The Mourning Cloak butterfly is a small, black and yellow butterfly. It has a wingspan of about one and a half inches. The Mourning Cloak butterfly is common in open, sunny areas such as fields and gardens.

Northern Crescent

A Northern Crescent butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a long tail. They live in forests and woodlands near streams and rivers.

Northern Pearly-eye

The Northern Pearly-eye butterfly is a metallic blue butterfly with a bright yellow eye. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as meadows and prairies.

Painted Lady

The Painted Lady butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. They are often seen flitting around flowers or drinking nectar. They are found in a variety of habitats including forests, gardens, and meadows.

Pearl Crescent

The Pearl Crescent butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are active during the day and are attracted to light. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and gardens.

Red Admiral

The Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. The butterfly’s wings are a bright red, with black markings on the tips of the wings. The butterfly lives in warm, dry areas with forests and gardens.

Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral

The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a colorful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens. They are often seen flitting around flowers or tree branches.

Regal Fritillary

The Regal Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and black wings. They live in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests, and are very common in North America.

Silver-bordered Fritillary

A Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It has a metallic sheen to its wings and a black border around its silver-colored wings. This butterfly is most commonly found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and woodlands.

Variegated Fritillary

A Variegated Fritillary butterfly is a brightly colored butterfly with a variety of different colors on its wings. They are commonly found in open spaces such as meadows, forests, and gardens. They are usually active during the day, but can be found flying around at night too.

Viceroy

The Viceroy butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in tropical forests. They are usually brown or black with a white spot on their wings. They enjoy flying close to the ground so they can feed on nectar from flowers.

White Admiral

A White Admiral butterfly looks like a large, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of up to two feet. They are found in warm, tropical regions throughout the world, including Central and South America, the Caribbean, and southern Africa. They typically fly during the day, but can be found flying close to the ground at night. Their habitat is typically dense, flowering vegetation.


Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

Acadian Hairstreak

The Acadian Hairstreak butterfly is a species of butterfly found in the United States and in southern Canada. It is a small butterfly with a dark brown body and a light brown head. The habitat of the Acadian Hairstreak butterfly is open, moist woods.

American Copper

The American Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with copper wings. These butterflies live in the forests of North America.

Banded Hairstreak

The Banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is known for its banded wings. It is a common sight in open habitats such as meadows, woodlands, and gardens.

Bog Copper

The Bog Copper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that lives in wet, boggy areas.

Brown Elfin

The Brown Elfin butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in the United States and southern Canada. It is a brown butterfly with a white underbelly. The habitat of the Brown Elfin butterfly is open areas with flowers.

Coral Hairstreak

Coral Hairstreak butterflies are small, colorful butterflies that live in open areas near water, such as marshes, streams, and ponds. They are most common in the warmer parts of the US, but are also found in Canada and Mexico.

Eastern Pine Elfin

Eastern Pine Elfin butterflies are a beautiful, brightly-colored butterfly found in the eastern United States. They are common in pine forests and are often seen flitting around near the tops of trees.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies are blue and have a white tail. They live in open habitat, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Edwards’ Hairstreak

The Edwards’ Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a brightly coloured wingspan. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers to feed on, such as meadows and fields.

Gray Hairstreak

Gray Hairstreaks are small, delicate butterflies that often fly in pairs. They have a gray coloring on their wings and are often seen flitting around flowers in open areas. They are typically found in the Appalachian Mountains and other wooded areas.

Harvester

The Harvester butterfly is a colorful butterfly that lives in warm climates. It is usually found near fields, gardens, and other areas where crops are grown.

Hoary Elfin

A Hoary Elfin butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 3 inches. They are found in temperate climates, often near water. They are very active fliers and can be found feeding on nectar from flowers.

Silvery Blue

The Silvery Blue butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is native to North America. This butterfly is blue with a silver sheen and is very active. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers to feed on.

Spring Azure

A Spring Azure butterfly has a blue wings and a yellow body. They live in warm, humid areas, usually near water.

Striped Hairstreak

The Striped Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about three inches. It is mostly blue with a stripe down the center of each wing. The butterflies live in open areas such as fields and meadows, and can be found during the day flying around.

Summer Azure

Summer azures are blue butterflies that live in sunny areas. They are common in open fields, meadows, and gardens.


Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

Black Swallowtail

The Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with black wings and tails. They are found in the forests and gardens of North America. They are very active butterflies and love to fly.

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail

The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange body, black wings, and a black tail. They are found in open, grassy areas such as prairies, and can be found flying during the day.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and black wings. They live in open areas, such as fields and woods, where they feed on nectar.

Giant Swallowtail

A Giant Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful insect with a wingspan of up to one and a half feet. They are native to North America, where they dwell in open woodlands and meadows. Their wings are brightly coloured and their flight is fast and powerful.

Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies are brightly coloured and have a wingspan of about 3 inches. They are found in the eastern United States, in the Appalachian Mountains and in the Mid-Atlantic region. They are most common in open woods and heaths, but can also be found in suburban areas.


Skipper Butterflies in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

Arctic Skipper

Arctic Skipper butterflies are typically medium-sized with a bright orange wingspan. They thrive in open habitats, such as prairies, meadows, and open forests, but can also be found in parks and gardens. They are generally solitary, but will congregate in warm weather.

Black Dash

The Black Dash butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests. They are usually seen in late summer and fall.

Cobweb Skipper

Cobweb Skippers are small, colorful butterflies that can be found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and woods. They are attracted to flowers, but can also be found feeding on nectar from other plants.

Columbine Duskywing

The Columbine Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dusky brown body, brown wings, and a wingspan of about 1-1/2 inches. They are found in dry areas with rocky soil, such as prairies, deserts, and open woods.

Common Roadside-Skipper

The Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a small brown butterfly that lives in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and roadsides.

Common Sootywing

A Common Sootywing butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are mostly black but have a white band across their wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers.

Delaware Skipper

The Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. It is a light blue with brown and white stripes. It is found in meadows, open forests, and gardens.

Dreamy Duskywing

The Dreamy Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the forests of North America. They are typically a dark color with a light dusky wing band.

Dun Skipper

The Dun Skipper is a small butterfly that is mostly black, with a yellow band on the hindwing. The butterflies live in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and feed on nectar from flowers.

Dusted Skipper

A Dusted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a light brown and gray wings. They are commonly seen flitting around in open, sunny areas such as fields and meadows.

European Skipper

The European Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is primarily found in open areas such as meadows, fields and parks. They are generally seen flying around flowers.

Hoary Edge

A Hoary Edge butterfly is typically a light brown or tan and has a wide yellow border on the wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Hobomok Skipper

The Hobomok Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a brown body and wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, like fields and meadows.

Horace’s Duskywing

The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a large and brightly colored butterfly with a dusky brown body and wings. They are found in the eastern United States, Canada, and the West Indies. They are commonly found in open forests, but can also be found in swamps and other moist habitats.

Indian Skipper

The Indian Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches, and is light brown with white markings on the wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, and are common in the eastern United States.

Juvenal’s Duskywing

The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly brown with black wings. They live in open areas near wetlands, and are active during the day.

Least Skipper

A Least Skipper butterfly is typically a small, brown and white butterfly that can be found in open areas such as fields and meadows. They are often seen near water sources such as ponds and streams.

Leonard’s Skipper

A Leonard’s Skipper butterfly looks like a small, black and orange butterfly. They are found in open country, such as meadows and fields, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Little Glassywing

The Little Glassywing butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. Its body is a light blue with a few yellow markings. Its wings are clear with a few light blue streaks. It is found in open areas with lots of sunlight, such as fields and meadows.

Long Dash

The Long Dash butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically brown and black, with a long tail. They are found in open areas, such as grasslands, and are often seen flying in large groups.

Mottled Duskywing

A Mottled Duskywing butterfly is a large, black and brown butterfly with a distinctive pattern of brown and black spots on its wings. They are found in open, wooded areas across North America, and are most commonly seen during the summer months.

Mulberry Wing

The Mulberry Wing Butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with black and white wings. They are found in deciduous and mixed forests, but are also found in parks. They are attracted to nectar from mulberry trees.

Northern Broken-Dash

The Northern Broken-Dash butterfly is a vibrant, brightly-colored butterfly that is found mainly in the North American continent. These butterflies are usually found in open, sunny areas such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Northern Cloudywing

Northern Cloudywing butterflies are usually green and black, with a white band on the underside of their wings. They live in meadows, forests, and other open areas near water.

Peck’s Skipper

A Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that lives in open areas, such as fields and meadows. They are usually found near water, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Pepper and Salt Skipper

The Pepper and Salt Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is usually brown or black with a white stripe down the center of its wings. They are found in the tropics and subtropics, usually near salt water. They live on flowers that have nectar containing pepper and salt compounds.

Silver-spotted Skipper

The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a brightly coloured butterfly found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and hedgerows. They are often seen perched on flowers.

Sleepy Duskywing

Sleepy Duskywings are a beautiful butterfly with a dusky brown body and a black band across the wings. They are usually found in open areas near forests, meadows, and prairies.

Tawny-edged Skipper

A Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a reddish brown body, wingspan of about 3 inches, and a yellow edge on its wings. They are found in open areas with some vegetation, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Two-spotted Skipper

The Two-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with orange and black wings. It is found in open woodlands and meadows, and is usually seen flying around flowers.

Wild Indigo Duskywing

The Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a blue-violet sheen. They are found in open areas with tall grasses, such as prairies, meadows, and savannas.


White and Sulphur Butterflies in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

Cabbage White

A Cabbage White butterfly is a delicate looking insect with a wingspan of about three inches. They are usually light yellow or cream in color, with a dark band across the wings. They are found in open areas, such as meadows, fields, and gardens, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Clouded Sulphur

The Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a black and yellow wings. They are found in tropical and subtropical forests.

Mustard White

A Mustard White butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that can be easily mistaken for a baby swallowtail. They are typically a light yellow or white with a dark brown or black border around their wings. They are common in open, sunny areas and prefer grasslands, meadows, and gardens.

Orange Sulphur

The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful, brightly-colored butterfly found throughout North America. They are typically found in open areas with plenty of flowers, and often perch on top of flowers to feed.


That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. Interested in learning about more butterflies in New Hampshire? We have lists for each of the 10 counties in the state.