There are 107 species of butterflies you can find in Litchfield County, Connecticut. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Litchfield County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:
Brush-footed Butterflies in Litchfield County, Connecticut
‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple
The ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly is a beautiful deep purple with red spots on the wings. The butterflies are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields and meadows.
American Lady
The American Lady butterfly is a beautiful, delicate butterfly that is common in open areas near lakes and streams. They are often seen flitting around flowers in search of nectar.
American Snout
The American Snout butterfly has a black and yellow wings. They are found in the southeastern United States.
Aphrodite Fritillary
The Aphrodite Fritillary butterfly is a light brown and black butterfly with speckled wings. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, but are also found in forests.
Appalachian Brown
The Appalachian Brown butterfly is a small, brown butterfly found in the Appalachian Mountains. They are often found in open woods and meadows, where they feed on flower nectar.
Atlantis Fritillary
The Atlantis Fritillary butterfly has a khaki brown body and wings. They are found in tropical forests and are known to feed on nectar from flowers.
Baltimore Checkerspot
The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in subtropical and tropical areas of North America. They are usually seen near streams and rivers where they eatflies.
Common Buckeye
Common Buckeye butterflies are light brown, with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in deciduous and mixed forests, and are often seen flitting about near flowers.
Common Ringlet
A Common Ringlet butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in open areas near water, such as meadows, prairies, and woodland edges. They are attracted to flowers, but will also eat small insects.
Common Wood-Nymph
The Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is typically a light brown or tan color with a wingspan of about two inches. Its habitat consists of oak and hickory forests.
Compton Tortoiseshell
The Compton Tortoiseshell butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly brown with a reddish-orange patch on the wing. They live in subtropical areas of North America. The habitat of the Compton Tortoiseshell butterfly is wetland forests.
Eastern Comma
The Eastern Comma butterfly is a small, brown and white butterfly. It is found in the eastern United States and Canada. It inhabits deciduous and mixed forests.
Eyed Brown
The Eyed Brown butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the United States. It has brown eyes on the wings and is found in open areas with lots of flowers.
Gray Comma
The Gray Comma butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly that is primarily gray with a black comma on the outside of its wings. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to flowers.
Great Spangled Fritillary
The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a striking spangled pattern on its wings. It is found in temperate regions of North America, Europe and Asia. The butterfly is usually found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Hackberry Emperor
The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to two inches. It is a dark brown butterfly with a bright yellow band across each wing. The butterflies are found in the forests of the eastern United States. They are attracted to the flowers of the hackberry tree.
Harris’ Checkerspot
The Harris’ Checkerspot butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. It is mostly black with a bright orange band across the middle of its wings. It is found in the eastern US and parts of Canada. Its habitat consists of open areas with a lot of flowering plants.
Little Wood-Satyr
The Little Wood-Satyr is a small, brown butterfly with a white band across its wings. It is found in the eastern United States and parts of Canada. Its habitat is open woodland, but it can also be found near streams and ponds.
Meadow Fritillary
The Meadow Fritillary butterfly is a small, brightly-colored butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in meadows and other open areas with flowers, and can be seen flying during the morning and evening.
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
The Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly found in open areas with lots of flowering plants. They are usually seen flying close to the ground and are often seen perched on flowers. They are usually found in tropical areas, but have been found in other parts of the world including North America.
Monarch
A Monarch butterfly is a beautiful creature with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are the largest butterflies in North America and the most common butterfly in the United States. They are active during the day, flying around looking for flowers to feed on. They live in warm, sunny areas with plenty of flowers.
Mourning Cloak
A Mourning Cloak butterfly is typically a dark brown or black with white markings, and has a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in forested areas and gardens, and are attracted to flowers.
Northern Crescent
The Northern Crescent butterfly is a brown and black butterfly with a white band on its wings. They are found in the north-central United States and eastern Canada. They are usually seen near streams and other wet areas.
Northern Pearly-eye
The Northern Pearly-eye butterfly is a large butterfly with a bright yellow and black striped wings. They are usually found in open areas such as meadows and fields, but can also be found near or in forests.
Painted Lady
A Painted Lady butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. Its wings are a beautiful bright blue, with a white “snowflake” pattern on the wings. It is a common sight in gardens and meadows, feeding on nectar from flowers.
Pearl Crescent
The Pearl Crescent butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is often seen in the wild flying around near water sources. They are typically dark brown with a white or cream-colored band across the middle of their wings. They are often found in open areas near water, but can also be found in various types of forests.
Question Mark
A Question Mark butterfly is a small, brown and white butterfly. They are found in open habitats, such as meadows and fields.
Red Admiral
The Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with bright red wings and a black border. They live in warm climates, such as the US Southwest, and prefer open areas with lots of flowers.
Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral
The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It is found in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. The butterfly is usually found in open areas with plenty of flowers to feed on.
Regal Fritillary
The Regal Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful creature with a bright orange wingspan. They are found in open areas such as prairies and meadows, as well as in forests.
Silver-bordered Fritillary
The Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It lives in open areas, such as meadows, fields, and forests, and is usually found near water.
Silvery Checkerspot
A Silvery Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen. They are often found in sunny areas such as meadows, gardens, orchards, or near water sources. They are attracted to nectar, and can be found feeding on flowers such as aster, columbine, and lupine.
Tawny Emperor
A Tawny Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a brown and yellow body. They usually fly in groups, and prefer open areas with lots of flowers. They live in warm climates, and are usually found near forests.
Variegated Fritillary
A Variegated Fritillary butterfly has a colorful wingspan and is usually found in open areas such as fields and meadows. They eat nectar from flowers and are usually seen in flocks.
Viceroy
A Viceroy butterfly is a large brown butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats including rainforests and open woodlands. They are typically seen flying in groups and are known to be attracted to brightly coloured flowers.
White Admiral
The White Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. It is a common sight in both open fields and gardens, and can be found flying around during the day.
Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Litchfield County, Connecticut
Acadian Hairstreak
The Acadian Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that lives in open, grassy areas.
American Copper
The American Copper butterfly is a large butterfly that has blue and yellow wings. They are found in the eastern United States. Their habitat is forests.
Banded Hairstreak
A Banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a band of varying colors across its wings. They are usually found in open, sunny areas near water where they can feed on nectar. They are usually very timid and shy, so they are not usually seen in large numbers.
Bog Copper
A Bog Copper butterfly looks like a small, brown butterfly with a distinctive orange band around its middle. They live in wet, boggy areas, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Bronze Copper
Bronze Copper butterflies are brightly colored and have a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They inhabit mixed woodlands and forests throughout the eastern United States.
Brown Elfin
The Brown Elfin butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that lives in the temperate forests of North America. The butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a beautiful light brown with a pattern of dark brown and white. The butterflies live in the forests of the eastern United States and Canada.
Cherry Gall Azure
The Cherry Gall Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly found in the United States. They prefer open habitats such as fields and meadows, but can also be found in forests.
Coral Hairstreak
The Coral Hairstreak butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in warm climates. It is usually found near bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers.
Eastern Pine Elfin
Eastern Pine Elfin butterflies have a wingspan of about one inch and are a beautiful blue color with a white band around the wings. They are found in the eastern United States, in the north to New England, and in the south to Texas. They are found in deciduous and mixed forests, but are also found in plantations. They are attracted to flowers and are sometimes seen perched on a twig.
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies can be found in open areas such as fields, prairies, and meadows, as well as in forested areas. They prefer to reside near water sources, such as rivers, ponds, and streams.
Edwards’ Hairstreak
The Edwards’ Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in wooded areas. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches.
Frosted Elfin
The Frosted Elfin butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a colorful wingspan. They are typically found in open areas with plenty of sunshine, such as meadows and prairies.
Gray Hairstreak
Gray Hairstreaks are small, slender butterflies that usually have a metallic sheen to their wings. They are typically light gray or blue, with a dark band across their wings. They are found in open areas with rich, moist vegetation, such as meadows and fields.
Harvester
The Harvester butterfly is a dark brown and black butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is found in open habitats with plenty of flowers to feed on.
Hickory Hairstreak
The Hickory Hairstreak butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are dark brown with a series of white lines running along the veins. The butterfly is found in open, sunny areas near oak and hickory trees.
Juniper Hairstreak
The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically brown and has white markings on the wings. They are found in the forests of North America.
Spring Azure
A Spring Azure butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and woods. They live in habitats that have plenty of sunshine and fresh air.
Striped Hairstreak
The Striped Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a startlingly striped wings. They are found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests, but are also found in urban areas. They are attracted to light, and can be seen flying around during the day.
Summer Azure
The Summer Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly with a bright yellow tail. They are found in open fields, meadows, and woodlands, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Metalmark Butterflies in Litchfield County, Connecticut
Northern Metalmark
Northern Metalmark butterflies are a beautiful, metallic blue species that can be found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, forests, and gardens. They are attracted to flowers, but can also be found hunting for food on the ground.
Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Litchfield County, Connecticut
Black Swallowtail
A Black Swallowtail butterfly has a black body and wings with a yellow streak down the center of each wing. They live in open areas with plenty of flowers, usually near water.
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with bright yellow and black wings. They inhabit open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are large, colorful butterflies with black and yellow wings. They live in open, sunny areas near streams and rivers.
Giant Swallowtail
A Giant Swallowtail butterfly is large and has a long tail. They are found in open areas with many flowering plants.
Pipevine Swallowtail
The Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens. These butterflies are typically seen flying around in groups, and their wings are decorated with colorful pipe-like patterns.
Spicebush Swallowtail
Spicebush swallowtail butterflies are typically light blue or blue-green with darker tips on their wings, and they can be found in a variety of habitats, such as forests, gardens, and meadows. They are common in eastern North America, but are also found in parts of Europe and Asia.
Skipper Butterflies in Litchfield County, Connecticut
Arctic Skipper
The Arctic Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is primarily found in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. They are typically found near water sources, such as ponds, rivers, and streams.
Black Dash
A Black Dash butterfly has a black body with a blue-green sheen and a brown head. They live in open areas with tallgrass or other wildflowers.
Broad-winged Skipper
Broad-winged Skipper butterflies are typically small with a wingspan of about 3 inches. They are typically light brown with black markings on their wings. Broad-winged Skipper butterflies are found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Cobweb Skipper
The Cobweb Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that typically inhabits open areas with a lot of vegetation.
Columbine Duskywing
A Columbine Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a bright orange band across the wings. They are found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Common Roadside-Skipper
A Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that frequents open spaces near roads. They are typically found in areas with a lot of vegetation, such as forests or meadows.
Common Sootywing
The Common Sootywing butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 ½ inches. The wings are a dull black with a vague greenish sheen. The underside of the wings is a lighter green. The Common Sootywing is found in a variety of habitats, including deciduous and mixed woods, shrubby areas, and gardens.
Crossline Skipper
Crossline Skippers are small, colorful, skipper-like butterflies found in meadows, grasslands, and other open habitats. They are active during the day and can be seen flitting about among the flowers.
Delaware Skipper
The Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically brown and has a white border around the wings. The butterfly is found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and woods, and can usually be found near water.
Dion Skipper
A Dion Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly. They are often seen flying around flowers in open fields or forests.
Dreamy Duskywing
The Dreamy Duskywing butterfly is a small, dark butterfly found in open, wooded areas across North America. They are most commonly found in the eastern half of the continent, but are also found in the west. They are commonly seen flitting around flowers during the day, and can be difficult to spot as they are very shy.
Dun Skipper
The Dun Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in open habitats such as meadows and prairies.
Dusted Skipper
A Dusted Skipper butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are found in open fields and meadows, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
European Skipper
The European Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that often flies in groups. They are native to Europe and North Africa, and prefer open areas with plenty of flowers.
Fiery Skipper
A Fiery Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is usually orange or yellow with spots. They live in open areas with flowers, usually in the summer. They are usually seen flying around during the day.
Hoary Edge
A Hoary Edge butterfly is a large, brown and white butterfly. They are found in open areas with plenty of wildflowers, such as meadows and fields. They are also found in forests, but are less common.
Hobomok Skipper
The Hobomok Skipper butterfly looks like a small, blue and brown butterfly. It is common to see them flying around in open areas near water, such as ponds and streams.
Horace’s Duskywing
The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a broad yellow band across its wings. They are found in the eastern United States, where they inhabit open habitats such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Indian Skipper
The Indian Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found throughout the United States and in parts of Canada. They are most commonly found in open areas with lots of flowers, but they can also be found in gardens and parks. They are usually found near water, but can also be found in wooded areas.
Juvenal’s Duskywing
The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a small, brown and black butterfly. It is found in open areas with some vegetation, such as meadows, pastures and woodlands.
Least Skipper
Least Skippers are small, brown butterflies found in open habitats such as fields and meadows.
Leonard’s Skipper
The Leonard’s Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically dark brown and has a white patch on the wingtip. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and prairies.
Little Glassywing
The Little Glassywing butterfly is a small butterfly that ranges from the eastern United States to the west coast of North America. The habitat of the Little Glassywing butterfly varies depending on the region, but it typically inhabits open grasslands, meadows, and pastures.
Long Dash
The Long Dash butterfly is a large, black and brown butterfly with a long tail. It is found in open habitats with plenty of flowering plants, such as meadows and prairies.
Mulberry Wing
The Mulberry Wing butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 1/2 inches. The wings are a light pink with a few brown and black markings. The butterfly is found in open areas such as meadows and fields, and is attracted to nectar sources.
Northern Broken-Dash
A Northern Broken-Dash butterfly is a small, black and white butterfly with a broken dash on its wings. They are found in open, warm habitats near streams and rivers.
Northern Cloudywing
Northern Cloudywing butterflies are typically a bright blue or violet color, with a white or light gray band running along their wings. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, from open fields and meadows to suburban gardens and forests.
Peck’s Skipper
The Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small white butterfly with black markings on its wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as meadows and fields.
Pepper and Salt Skipper
A Pepper and Salt Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a black and yellow wings. They are found in warm climates and are usually seen hovering around flowers. They are usually quite shy and will fly away if disturbed.
Persius Duskywing
A Persius Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a white band across the middle of its wings. This butterfly is found in the eastern United States, from Florida to New York. The habitat of a Persius Duskywing butterfly is woodland, and it feeds on nectar from flowers.
Silver-spotted Skipper
The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about one inch. It is a drab brown butterfly with a silver spot on each wing. It is found in open areas near woods and gardens, and is most active during the morning and evening hours.
Sleepy Duskywing
Sleepy Duskywings are a dark brown butterfly with a narrow yellow band across their wings. They are found in the eastern US, including Maryland, Kentucky, and Tennessee. They are usually found near streams and ponds.
Southern Cloudywing
A Southern Cloudywing butterfly is typically a brown and white butterfly, with a wingspan of about two inches. It is found in open areas with some scattered trees, such as meadows, woods, and farmlands.
Tawny-edged Skipper
A Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and forests. They are typically found near water sources where they can drink and nectar.
Two-spotted Skipper
The Two-spotted Skipper butterfly has black and white wings and is found in open areas with lots of flowers.
Wild Indigo Duskywing
A Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of around 3 inches. They are mostly black with a dusky blue band running across their wings. They are found in open forests and woodlands, and are usually seen flitting around the tops of trees.
Zabulon Skipper
The Zabulon Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly black with a yellow-orange band across the middle of its wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
White and Sulphur Butterflies in Litchfield County, Connecticut
Cabbage White
The Cabbage White butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a slender body and long, white wings. They are found in open, grassy areas with scattered trees, and are attracted to nectar.
Clouded Sulphur
The Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a black and yellow wings. They are found in the eastern United States and in the lower part of the west. They like to live in cool, shaded areas.
Cloudless Sulphur
A Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a blue and black wings. They are found in the forests of North America.
Falcate Orangetip
The Falcate Orangetip butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in warm habitats in the southern United States. They are usually seen flying around flowers.
Little Yellow
A Little Yellow butterfly is small and has a wingspan of about 2 inches. Its wings are mostly yellow, with a small amount of black on the tips of its wings. Little Yellow butterflies live in warm, sunny areas near flowers.
Orange Sulphur
The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. They have a wingspan of about 2 inches and are mostly light yellow, with a small amount of orange on the wings. They prefer to live in open, sunny areas, and are usually seen flitting around flowers.
Sleepy Orange
A Sleepy Orange butterfly is typically a light brown or tan with darker spots and a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are often seen near streams, in meadows, or near flowers in the early morning or late evening. They are considered a common butterfly in most parts of the US.
West Virginia White
West Virginia White butterflies are typically a light yellow or cream color with a brown or black band across their wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Litchfield County, Connecticut. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Connecticut? We have lists for each of the 8 counties in the state.