Butterflies in Jefferson County, Ohio

There are 80 species of butterflies you can find in Jefferson County, Ohio. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Jefferson County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:


Brush-footed Butterflies in Jefferson County, Ohio

‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple

The ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a small butterfly with a reddish-purple body and wings. They are found in open habitats, such as meadows and fields, and are usually seen flying around in small flocks.

American Lady

The American Lady butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is common in open habitats such as prairies, meadows, and gardens.

American Snout

The American Snout butterfly is a large, brown and black butterfly. It has a long, snout-like nose that it uses to extract nectar from flowers. American Snout butterflies live in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are common in the summertime.

Aphrodite Fritillary

The Aphrodite Fritillary butterfly has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. It has a light brown body with black markings. It is usually found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Baltimore Checkerspot

A Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is brightly colored with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in oak and maple forests, as well as other moist areas.

Common Buckeye

The Common Buckeye butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found throughout the United States. They are commonly found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Common Wood-Nymph

A Common Wood-Nymph butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are light brown with a dark brown band across the wings. They are found in open forests where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma butterflies are small, delicate looking creatures with brown wings and a white comma on their wings. They are found in open, warm areas such as meadows and forests.

Eyed Brown

Eyed Brown butterflies have a dark brown body, with a light brown eye spot on each wing. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Gray Comma

Gray Comma butterflies are delicate creatures that look like they would be difficult to catch. They have brown wings with a gray comma on the wingtip. They live in open habitats with lots of flowers.

Great Spangled Fritillary

The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright blue wings and a yellow and black pattern on its wings. The habitat of a Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, forests, and prairies.

Hackberry Emperor

The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to five inches. The butterfly is mostly black with a bright yellow band across the wings. The butterfly is found in the eastern United States, from North Carolina to Florida. The butterfly thrives in moist forests with plenty of hackberry trees.

Little Wood-Satyr

A Little Wood-Satyr butterfly typically has a light tan body with black markings. They are commonly seen flying around in forests and meadows.

Meadow Fritillary

The Meadow Fritillary butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in meadows and other open areas.

Milbert’s Tortoiseshell

The Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. The habitat of this butterfly is mainly grasslands and prairies, but they can be found in other areas as well.

Monarch

A Monarch butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are usually light green and have a black spot on their wings. They are usually found in open areas such as fields, gardens, and meadows. They like to feed on flowers, but can also be found drinking nectar from trees. They are very important in the ecosystem because they help to pollinate plants.

Mourning Cloak

The Mourning Cloak butterfly is a black and orange butterfly with a wingspan of about one inch. It is found in forested areas throughout the eastern United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Northern Pearly-eye

The Northern Pearly-eye butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open areas with lots of flowering plants. They are usually found near bodies of water, such as lakes or rivers.

Painted Lady

A Painted Lady butterfly is typically a bright, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are common in gardens and parks and can be found flying around during the day. They prefer to feed on nectar from flowers, but will also eat other small insects.

Pearl Crescent

The Pearl Crescent butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. They are found in the tropical rainforests of the Americas.

Question Mark

A Question Mark butterfly looks like a small, black and white butterfly with a white question mark on its wings. They are common in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are usually found near flowers.

Red Admiral

The Red Admiral butterfly is a large, bright red butterfly. They are usually found near water, usually in open areas such as fields or forests.

Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral

The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly ranges from the southeastern United States to the West Indies. They are typically found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Regal Fritillary

The Regal Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that ranges from the United States to Central and South America. They are very common in open areas with lots of flowers, but can also be found in forests. They are usually very colorful and have a wingspan of about 3 inches.

Silvery Checkerspot

A Silvery Checkerspot butterfly looks like a small, bright blue butterfly with a white stripe running down its back. They are found in open areas with lots of sun, such as fields, meadows, and prairies.

Tawny Emperor

The Tawny Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange body and black wings. They inhabit tropical forests and can sometimes be found flying close to the forest floor.

Variegated Fritillary

The Variegated Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens. This butterfly is usually brightly coloured, with a variety of different patterns on its wings.

Viceroy

The Viceroy butterfly is a large and colorful butterfly found in many parts of the world. They are usually seen near water, flying around flowers.


Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Jefferson County, Ohio

Acadian Hairstreak

Acadian Hairstreak butterflies are bright orange and black with a white stripe down their back. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, and prefer to perch on top of flowers rather than flying.

American Copper

The American Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in open areas with lots of flowers.

Appalachian Azure

The Appalachian Azure butterfly is a vibrant blue butterfly with a white “tail” that extends beyond its wings. They are found in mountains and woodlands throughout the Appalachian region.

Banded Hairstreak

A Banded Hairstreak butterfly has a wingspan of about 3 inches. The wings are a light blue-green and the butterfly has a white band on each wing. The butterfly is found in open areas, such as fields and gardens, and can be seen flying around in the early morning and evening.

Bronze Copper

A Bronze Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen. They are commonly found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Coral Hairstreak

A Coral Hairstreak butterfly has a bright orange body with black markings, and a black tail. It lives in open areas with lots of flowers, and can be found in the United States and Canada.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

A Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly has a blue and brown body with a yellow and black tail. They live in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are common in areas with plenty of flowering plants.

Gray Hairstreak

A Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a distinctive gray coloration on its wings. They are typically found in open areas near woods, fields, or other areas with lots of vegetation. They are attracted to flowers, and are often seen feeding on nectar.

Harvester

The Harvester butterfly is a small, brown and black butterfly that is found in open habitats near water. They are common in the eastern United States and Canada.

Spring Azure

A Spring Azure butterfly has blue wings with white stripes. They are found in open 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 the United States and Canada. It is a member of the family Nymphalidae and has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The Striped Hairstreak butterfly is brightly coloured with stripes on its wings. It is most commonly found in open areas such as fields, woods, and meadows, but can also be found in urban areas. The butterfly’s habitat is mainly composed of grasslands, but it can also be found in forests.

Summer Azure

Summer Azure butterflies look like beautiful, blue butterflies with bright yellow wings. They live in open, grassy areas throughout the United States, Canada, and parts of Mexico.

White-M Hairstreak

A White-M Hairstreak butterfly is a striking and distinctive butterfly with a white wings and brown body. They are commonly found in open and sunny areas such as parks, meadows, and gardens.


Metalmark Butterflies in Jefferson County, Ohio

Northern Metalmark

Northern Metalmark butterflies are typically brown and have a metallic sheen to their wings. They are found in the northern United States and Canada. They prefer open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and prairies.


Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Jefferson County, Ohio

Black Swallowtail

The Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with black wings and a yellow band across the middle of each wing. They are found in the forested areas of the eastern United States and Canada. They prefer to live near water sources, so their habitat is typically in areas with plenty of trees and wet ground.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are large, colorful butterflies that are found in open woodlands and forests. They are often seen flitting about near flowers.

Pipevine Swallowtail

Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies are colorful and have a characteristic “waistband” of black and yellow stripes on their wings. They live in open, grassy areas such as meadows and pastures, and are attracted to nectar from flowers.

Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies are dark brown and have a light brown band across their forewings. They live in moist woods and gardens.

Zebra Swallowtail

The Zebra Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly that lives in warm, sunny areas. It is a common butterfly in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Zebra Swallowtails are attracted to flowers, particularly daisies.


Skipper Butterflies in Jefferson County, Ohio

Common Checkered-Skipper

A Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a checkered pattern on its wings. Common Checkered-Skippers live in open, grassy areas with a lot of flowers, such as meadows, prairies, and pastures.

Common Roadside-Skipper

A Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly has brown wings with black markings, and is found in open areas such as meadows and fields.

Common Sootywing

A Common Sootywing butterfly looks like a large, black and white butterfly with a brown or red patch on its wings. They live in open areas with plenty of flowers and are commonly found in parks and gardens.

Crossline Skipper

The Crossline Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in the east coast of North America. It is a member of the family Nymphalidae and is known for its colorful wings and tails. Crossline Skippers are most active in the morning and late afternoon. They prefer to live in open areas with a lot of vegetation, such as meadows and fields.

Delaware Skipper

The Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically orange or yellow and has black markings on its wings. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and can be found throughout most of the eastern United States.

Dreamy Duskywing

The Dreamy Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dusky brown body and wings. They are found in the eastern half of North America, from Nova Scotia to Florida and west to Texas. They are typically found in open areas with lots of tall grasses and flowers.

Dun Skipper

A Dun Skipper butterfly looks like a small, blue and black butterfly with a white spot on its wings. They live in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to nectar and pollen.

Fiery Skipper

A Fiery Skipper butterfly is light brown with a dark brown band across the wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowery plants, such as milkweeds and aster.

Hoary Edge

The Hoary Edge butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. The wings are a dull gray, with a metallic sheen. The habitat of the Hoary Edge butterfly is open grasslands, prairies, and meadows.

Hobomok Skipper

The Hobomok Skipper butterfly is a small, black and orange butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. It is a common butterfly in oak and hickory forests.

Horace’s Duskywing

The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dusky brown body and wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowering plants, such as meadows and fields.

Indian Skipper

The Indian Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, in the United States and Canada. The butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is mostly green and has a yellow and black band on its wings. The butterfly is usually seen flying around in the early morning or late evening.

Juvenal’s Duskywing

The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is dark brown with a purplish sheen, and has a wingspan of about 3 inches. They are found in southern and eastern North America, where they live in open areas with good amounts of wildflower blooms.

Least Skipper

A Least Skipper butterfly looks like a small, brown butterfly with a distinctive white stripe down its back. They live in open, grassy areas with some scattered trees, and are active during the morning and evening.

Little Glassywing

The Little Glassywing butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is a light brown butterfly with a pale wing margin. The habitat of the Little Glassywing butterfly is open grassland, meadows, and woodlands.

Long Dash

A Long Dash butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches and is light brown with dark brown stripes. They live in warm and moist habitats, such as forests and moist meadows.

Northern Broken-Dash

Northern Broken-Dash butterflies have wings that are a bright orange-red color. They are found in habitats that include open fields, meadows, and forests.

Northern Cloudywing

The Northern Cloudywing butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to 4 inches. The wings are a cloudy white with a few brown markings. The Northern Cloudywing butterfly is found in the north-central and northeastern United States and in southern Canada. Its habitat consists of deciduous and mixed woods, but it is also seen in gardens and other open areas.

Peck’s Skipper

A Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a yellow and black body and wings. They are found in open areas and gardens, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Silver-spotted Skipper

The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with metallic silver spots on a light brown background. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Sleepy Duskywing

Sleepy Duskywings are typically a dark brown with a blush of blue. They are usually found near water, but can also be found in open areas. They are common in the eastern United States and Canada.

Southern Cloudywing

A Southern Cloudywing butterfly is typically light brown with darker markings across the wings. They are found in woodlands and open areas with lots of plants and flowers.

Tawny-edged Skipper

The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that has a black edge on each of its wings. It is found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and woodlands.

Wild Indigo Duskywing

The Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly is a reddish-brown butterfly with black markings on the wings. They are found in the southeastern United States and in the Caribbean. They are found in open habitats with lots of vegetation.

Zabulon Skipper

The Zabulon Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is usually seen flitting around flowers. It has a light brown wings and a dark brown body. It is found in warm, tropical habitats.


White and Sulphur Butterflies in Jefferson County, Ohio

Cabbage White

The Cabbage White butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5-3.5 inches. The wings are a creamy white and the tips are a light blue. The butterfly is found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, fields, and forests.

Clouded Sulphur

The Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful black and yellow butterfly that is found in large expanses of open grassland.

Cloudless Sulphur

The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is a small, black and yellow butterfly that is found in open, sunny areas in North America. They prefer to live near flowing water and are usually seen near ponds or creeks.

Falcate Orangetip

The Falcate Orangetip butterfly is a striking butterfly with a large orange patch on the wing. They are found in tropical forests throughout the world.

Little Yellow

The Little Yellow Butterfly is about the size of a penny and has a narrow wingspan. It is mostly yellow, with a black stripe running the length of its back. The butterfly flits around in open areas, such as field and meadows, and is attracted to nectar.

Orange Sulphur

The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in open areas near streams and rivers in the eastern United States. The butterfly is often seen feeding on nectar from flowers, and can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, meadows, and gardens.

Sleepy Orange

The Sleepy Orange butterfly looks like a small, orange and black butterfly. They live in warm, tropical habitats.

West Virginia White

West Virginia White butterflies live in open spaces with plenty of flowers.


That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Jefferson County, Ohio. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Ohio? We have lists for each of the 88 counties in the state.