There are 72 species of butterflies you can find in Kennebec County, Maine. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Kennebec County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:
Brush-footed Butterflies in Kennebec County, Maine
American Lady
The American Lady butterfly is a beautiful and delicate butterfly. They are typically light tan or yellow with dark brown markings and have a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are found in open areas with flowers, especially in the Midwest and East. They are commonly seen flitting around flowers and are very attracted to light.
Aphrodite Fritillary
The Aphrodite Fritillary butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly is found in the Alps, and other high-altitude areas of Europe, Asia, and North America. The butterfly is usually seen flying around flowers.
Appalachian Brown
The Appalachian Brown butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a light brown with a few darker spots. They are found in open areas such as woods, meadows, and fields, but are also common in gardens. They feed on flower nectar, and are attracted to light.
Atlantis Fritillary
The Atlantis Fritillary butterfly is a small brown and black butterfly with orange markings on its wings. It is found in the tropical regions of the Americas. It lives in forests, where it feeds on nectar.
Baltimore Checkerspot
The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the eastern United States. They are typically found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Common Ringlet
The Common Ringlet butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It has a bright blue body with a bright yellow band across the middle of its wings. The butterfly lives in open areas such as meadows and fields, but is also found in forests.
Common Wood-Nymph
A Common Wood-Nymph butterfly looks like a small, delicate butterfly with brown and tan wings. They are found in the forests and woodlands of North America.
Compton Tortoiseshell
The Compton Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a brown and yellow pattern on its wings. They are found in warm and dry areas, such as deserts and grasslands.
Eastern Comma
Eastern Comma butterflies are a bright orange and black butterfly and they are found in open, dry habitats such as prairies, woodlands, and deserts.
Eyed Brown
Eyed Brown butterflies are brown with yellow markings on their wings. They prefer warm, humid environments and live in forests, gardens, and other areas with plenty of flowers.
Gray Comma
The Gray Comma butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a grayish brown body and wings. They are found in open areas, such as prairies and meadows, and are attracted to flowers. They are usually found in flocks, and can be very difficult to spot.
Great Spangled Fritillary
The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly with a bright blue and yellow wings. They are found in open grasslands and meadows, and are also common in gardens.
Green Comma
The Green Comma butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that lives in a variety of habitats including forests, meadows, and gardens.
Harris’ Checkerspot
The Harris’ Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. Its wings are a light blue with darker blue and white stripes. It is found in the southwestern United States, Central America, and South America. Its habitat is open areas with lots of flowers.
Little Wood-Satyr
The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It has a light brown body with speckles and a white wing margin. The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is found in the North American east coast forests.
Meadow Fritillary
A Meadow Fritillary butterfly has an orange and black body with a yellow and black band across the wings. They are found in meadows and grasslands.
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterflies are medium-sized with a wingspan of about 3 inches. They have a dark brown body with a yellow and brown striped wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Monarch
A Monarch butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that usually has a metallic sheen to its wings. They are usually found in open, sunny areas such as forests or meadows. Monarchs are importantpollinators and feed on nectar from flowers.
Mourning Cloak
A Mourning Cloak butterfly is a small, black and brown butterfly with a wingspan of about one inch. The butterfly is found in subtropical or tropical areas, and prefers open habitats such as meadows or woods.
Northern Crescent
A Northern Crescent butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are found in various habitats, but are most commonly found in open areas with long grasses.
Northern Pearly-eye
The Northern Pearly-eye butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with bright blue wings. They are found in the northern parts of North America, and are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers. They are usually found in meadows, grasslands, and forests.
Painted Lady
The Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange and black wings. They are found in open spaces, such as fields or meadows, and feed on nectar from flowers.
Pearl Crescent
The Pearl Crescent butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly found in the eastern United States. Its wings are a beautiful iridescent pearl color and it flies around looking for flowers to feed on. Its habitat is mainly deciduous and mixed forests, where it is usually seen perched on tree branches.
Question Mark
A Question Mark butterfly is typically a light brown and black butterfly with a white spot on each wingtip. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as fields, orchards, and gardens.
Red Admiral
The Red Admiral butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of three inches. They are found in warm, dry habitats, such as deserts and woodlands.
Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral
The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a red spot on each wing. These butterflies live in subtropical and tropical areas, often near water. They are often seen flitting around flowers.
Regal Fritillary
The Regal Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic blue and yellow wings. They are most commonly found in open areas near streams and ponds, but can also be found in forested areas.
Silver-bordered Fritillary
The Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches and is a metallic blue with a silver-white border. The butterfly is found in open areas, such as meadows and forests, and is most active in the morning and evening.
Viceroy
A Viceroy butterfly has a dark brown body with lighter brown spots on its wings. They are found in tropical and subtropical areas, and prefer open areas with plenty of flowers.
White Admiral
A White Admiral butterfly is a beautiful, delicate butterfly with a bright yellow body and black wings. They prefer warm, dry areas like open fields and gardens, but can also be found near streams and marshes.
Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Kennebec County, Maine
Acadian Hairstreak
The Acadian Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. The butterfly has a bright orange, black, and white wings. The butterfly is found in open forests and meadows in the eastern United States, from Maryland to Florida.
American Copper
The American Copper butterfly is a beautiful orange and black butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. These butterflies are found in open landscapes, such as fields and meadows, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Banded Hairstreak
A Banded Hairstreak butterfly is typically a brightly colored butterfly with a band of darker color running around the middle of its wings. They are often seen in brightly lit areas such as open fields or gardens. They are typically found in habitats that have a lot of flowers to eat.
Bog Copper
A Bog Copper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a distinctive copper coloring on its wings. They are found in boggy areas, near rivers and lakes, and are attracted to bright colors.
Bronze Copper
Bronze Copper butterflies are tan with dark brown stripes on their wings. They live in mountain forests and often perch on trees near streams.
Eastern Pine Elfin
The Eastern Pine Elfin butterfly has a wingspan of about 1/2 inch. It has a light green body with black spots. It lives in moist forests.
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies are bright blue with a white tail. They live in meadows, woodland, and other open areas with plenty of flowers.
Edwards’ Hairstreak
The Edwards’ Hairstreak butterfly has a characteristic pattern of brown and tan wings with two black bands. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, in the eastern US.
Gray Hairstreak
The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open areas, such as woods and meadows. These butterflies prefer to feed on nectar from flowers, but will also eat insects. They are generally shy and difficult to spot, but are known to flutter around in small groups.
Harvester
A Harvester butterfly has a light brown body with darker brown and black markings on its wings. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Henry’s Elfin
The Henry’s Elfin butterfly is a small, delicate looking butterfly with colorful wings. They are usually found in open, sunny areas near water such as streams or ponds.
Oak Hairstreak
The Oak Hairstreak is a black and yellow butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. It is a member of the monarch butterfly family. The Oak Hairstreak’s habitat consists of oak and other deciduous trees.
Striped Hairstreak
A Striped Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a pattern of light and dark stripes on its wings. The butterflies typically inhabit open areas near water, such as meadows, fields, or forests.
Summer Azure
A Summer Azure butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with blue wings and a yellow body. They are found in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Kennebec County, Maine
Black Swallowtail
The Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in deciduous and mixed forests. They are usually seen flitting around flowers, but can also be found resting on tree branches.
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly with a broad, swallowtail-like wingspan. The habitat of this butterfly is open, grassy areas with plenty of flowers. They are common visitors to gardens and other well-maintained areas.
Giant Swallowtail
The Giant Swallowtail butterfly is one of the largest butterflies in the world. They are mostly black with vibrant orange and yellow markings. They are found in tropical and subtropical areas, often near water. They are usually found in high altitudes, but will descend to lower altitudes during the winter. They are usually found in open areas with plenty of tree cover, but can also be found in dense forests.
Skipper Butterflies in Kennebec County, Maine
Arctic Skipper
The Arctic Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly. It is usually seen flying around near flowers in warm, open habitats such as meadows and prairies.
Common Roadside-Skipper
The Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. It is a light brown butterfly with a black line down the center of its wings. The butterfly is usually found near roadside vegetation, but can also be found in open areas near rivers or lakes. The butterfly is usually quite solitary, but will sometimes fly close to other butterflies. The butterfly is most active in the morning and early evening, but can be found flying during all hours of the day.
Crossline Skipper
Crossline Skipper butterflies have a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are a beautiful blue color with black crosslines on their wings. They are most commonly found in open areas near water, but can also be found in parks and gardens.
Dreamy Duskywing
A Dreamy Duskywing butterfly has dark brown wings with a light brown center and a light brown band on the hindwings. They live in open woodlands and prairies, and are found in the eastern and central United States.
Dun Skipper
The Dun Skipper butterfly has a light brown body with a dark brown band across the middle of its wings. They live in open areas with lots of sunshine and flowers.
Hobomok Skipper
The Hobomok Skipper butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are a light blue with a few white stripes. The habitat of the Hobomok Skipper butterfly is open fields and meadows, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Indian Skipper
The Indian Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is mainly black, with some yellow and blue markings. It is found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including India. It is usually found near water, where it feeds on nectar.
Juvenal’s Duskywing
Juvenal’s Duskywing butterflies are typically a dark brown with some light brown mixed in, and they have a distinctive dusky band along the bottom of their wings. They tend to live in open areas with lots of flowers, and they are usually found in the eastern United States.
Least Skipper
Least Skipper butterflies are a small, brown butterfly that lives in open areas, such as fields and meadows. They are usually seen flying around during the day.
Leonard’s Skipper
The Leonard’s Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is usually brown and has black markings on the wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and prairies.
Long Dash
The Long Dash butterfly is a striking species of butterfly found in moist woodlands. They are usually seen near streams or rivers.
Northern Broken-Dash
A Northern Broken-Dash butterfly is a large, brightly-colored butterfly that lives in open areas near lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water.
Northern Cloudywing
Northern Cloudywing butterflies are typically a dark brown, with a few white spots on their wings. They usually inhabit mixed wooded habitats, but can also be found in open fields or along riverbanks.
Peck’s Skipper
The Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that is found near water. It flies around in flocks and is commonly seen near streams and lakes.
Pepper and Salt Skipper
The Pepper and Salt Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. It is found in tropical and subtropical regions, and prefers warm, moist areas with some kind of flowering plant.
Silver-spotted Skipper
The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that is common in open areas near streams and ponds. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches.
Sleepy Duskywing
Sleepy Duskywings are a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are a dusky brown with a few brown and white stripes on their wings. They are most commonly found in open forests and fields, but can also be found in scrub or early successional habitats.
Tawny-edged Skipper
The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1 1/2 inches. The wings are a light tan with a dark brown stripe down the middle. The butterfly is found in grasslands, meadows, and gardens.
Two-spotted Skipper
The Two-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small, brightly coloured butterfly with black markings on its wings. It is found in open habitats, such as meadows and forests, and is common in Canada and the United States.
Wild Indigo Duskywing
The Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful blue and black butterfly that lives in open, sunny areas.
White and Sulphur Butterflies in Kennebec County, Maine
Cabbage White
A Cabbage White butterfly is typically a light brown or tan color with a wingspan of about one inch. They are very active, and can be found flying around floral gardens and other open areas.
Checkered White
A Checkered White butterfly has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. Its wings are a light tan with black and white checkered patterns. The butterfly lives in mixed forests, and sometimes in gardens.
Clouded Sulphur
A Clouded Sulphur butterfly has a wingspan of about 3 inches. It is a beautiful butterfly and is usually seen flying around in open areas near water. It is a butterfly that prefers to live in warm climates, so it is common to find them in areas near the coast.
Orange Sulphur
The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the dry, open habitats of the United States. They are usually found near large bodies of water, but can also be found in small, isolated areas.
Pink-edged Sulphur
A Pink-edged Sulphur butterfly has a light pink body with black edges and a blue wing span. They are found in the forests of the eastern United States.
That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Kennebec County, Maine. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Maine? We have lists for each of the 16 counties in the state.