There are 102 species of butterflies you can find in Lucas County, Ohio. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Lucas County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:
Brush-footed Butterflies in Lucas County, Ohio
‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple
The ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in dry habitats across North America. They are typically seen flying around flower patches or low vegetation.
American Lady
The American Lady butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers and are common in the eastern United States.
American Snout
The American Snout butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a long snout. It is found in open habitats such as meadows, pastures, and woodlands.
Aphrodite Fritillary
Aphrodite Fritillary butterflies are usually light orange or yellow with black markings on their wings. They are found in open habitats such as meadows and forests.
Appalachian Brown
The Appalachian Brown butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that is found in the Appalachian Mountains. The habitat of the Appalachian Brown butterfly is forested areas.
Baltimore Checkerspot
The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly that is found in the southeastern United States. They have a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are mainly found in open, sunny areas with plenty of nectar sources. The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly eats a variety of flowers, including bluebells and violets.
Common Buckeye
The Common Buckeye butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in deciduous forests.
Common Ringlet
A Common Ringlet butterfly looks like a small, brown and white butterfly with a black band around its wings. They are found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Common Wood-Nymph
The Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is a small, brown and white butterfly that is found in open woodland habitats.
Compton Tortoiseshell
The Compton Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a purple body and yellow wings. They are found in the forests of North America.
Eastern Comma
Eastern Comma butterflies are typically blue and black with yellow and white stripes on their wings. They are found in open, grassy areas such as meadows and pastures.
Eyed Brown
Eyed Brown butterflies are generally brown with a metallic sheen, and have yellow eyes. They are found in open areas with a lot of flowering plants, especially milkweed.
Great Spangled Fritillary
The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with striking blue and yellow wings. They prefer open areas with plenty of flowers, but can also be found in forests.
Hackberry Emperor
The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is one of the largest butterflies in North America. They have a wingspan of up to six inches. They are mostly brown with a purple tinge, and have a yellow band across their wings. They are found in the eastern United States, from New Jersey to Florida. They like to inhabit open areas with lots of flowers, such as Hackberry trees.
Harris’ Checkerspot
The Harris’ Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It is common to find this butterfly in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows or grasslands.
Little Wood-Satyr
A Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is typically a tan or brown butterfly with a black dot on its forehead and a black band across its wings. It is found in open areas with lots of trees, such as oak and maple forests.
Meadow Fritillary
The Meadow Fritillary butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. The wings are a delicate pale blue and the butterfly has a yellow “tail” on its back. The Meadow Fritillary butterfly is most commonly found in meadows and prairies, where it feeds on nectar from flowers.
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
The Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically brown and has a distinctive pattern of yellow and brown stripes. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, usually near water.
Monarch
Monarchs are large, colorful butterflies that can be found all over North America. They typically reside in open, sunny areas with plenty of nectar and flowers. Monarchs are renowned for their long migration flights, which can span up to 2,000 miles.
Mourning Cloak
The Mourning Cloak butterfly has a wingspan of about one inch. They are usually a light brown color, but can also be black or dark brown. They prefer to live in subtropical environments, but can also be found in temperate regions. They feed on nectar, and their habitat consists of forests, gardens, and other areas with lots of flowers.
Northern Crescent
A Northern Crescent butterfly looks like a small, delicate butterfly with a large wingspan. They are typically found in habitats near water, such as wet meadows, marshes, and ponds.
Northern Pearly-eye
The Northern Pearly-eye butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests and meadows.
Painted Lady
The Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright blue back and wings. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to light.
Pearl Crescent
A Pearl Crescent butterfly has a wingspan of about 3 inches. The underside of its wings is a light purple and the top is a light blue. They typically feed on nectar from flowers, but can also feed on pollen. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Question Mark
The Question Mark butterfly is a dark brown and orange butterfly that is common in open areas, such as fields and meadows. They are usually found near water sources.
Red Admiral
The Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright red and black wings. They are found in open woodland and gardens, and are often seen flitting around flowers.
Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral
A Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is one of the most beautiful butterflies in the world. They are usually light blue or light purple, but can have red spots on their wings. They usually live in open areas with lots of flowers, and can be found in both North and South America.
Regal Fritillary
The Regal Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful, brightly colored butterfly with a wingspan of up to four inches. They are found in moist, cool habitats such as meadows, streams, and forests.
Silver-bordered Fritillary
The Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. The habitat of this butterfly is open grasslands, meadows, and forests.
Silvery Checkerspot
The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly is a small, iridescent butterfly with a wingspan of about 3 inches. The butterfly is mostly silver with a black border around each wing. They are found in open areas with a lot of flowers, such as meadows and prairies.
Tawny Emperor
A Tawny Emperor butterfly looks like a large, brightly-colored butterfly. They are found in tropical forests and other areas with plenty of flowering plants.
Variegated Fritillary
A Variegated Fritillary butterfly has a wingspan of about two inches, and their colors are very varied, including yellow, orange, brown, and red. They are found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, fields, and gardens.
Viceroy
A Viceroy butterfly looks like a small, brown and black butterfly with a white spot on its wings. They live in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests, and feed on nectar from flowers. Viceroy butterflies have a characteristic “V” shaped pattern on their wings.
Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Lucas County, Ohio
Acadian Hairstreak
The Acadian Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a Metallic green, blue and yellow wings. The butterfly is found in the eastern United States and Canada. The butterfly is found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants.
American Copper
The American Copper butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The wings are dark brown with copper-colored markings. They are found in forests and woodlands across North America.
Banded Hairstreak
A Banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are brightly banded and have a yellow and black color scheme. They are found in a variety of habitats, but prefer open areas with plenty of flowering plants.
Bronze Copper
A Bronze Copper butterfly has a metallic sheen to its scales and a bright blue wingspan. It is usually found in meadows, but can also be found in gardens and parks.
Coral Hairstreak
A Coral Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful creature with a wingspan of up to 3 inches. They are usually light pink or yellow with a brown or black stripe down their center. They are often seen flitting around flowers in the wild, but can also be found in gardens. They are usually found in warm, humid areas.
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies are typically light blue with black and white stripes on their wings. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, but can also be found near streams and ponds.
Edwards’ Hairstreak
The Edwards’ Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a distinctive hairstreak on its head. They are found in open spaces, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to flowers.
Frosted Elfin
A Frosted Elfin butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about one inch. They are a light brown with white stripes, and are found in forested areas with plenty of flowering plants. They are active during the day, but are shy and difficult to spot.
Gray Hairstreak
A Gray Hairstreak butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a gray body and wings. It lives in open areas with lots of flowering plants, such as fields, meadows, and gardens.
Harvester
The Harvester butterfly is a large and brightly-colored butterfly that can be found in open fields and meadows. They are attracted to flowers, and often feed on nectar.
Hickory Hairstreak
A Hickory Hairstreak butterfly has a predominantly orange body with black markings. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and woodlands, and are common in the eastern United States.
Melissa Blue (includes Karner Blue)
A Melissa Blue (includes Karner Blue) butterfly is a beautiful blue and white butterfly. They are usually found in open areas such as fields and meadows. They prefer to live near water sources such as rivers and creeks.
Oak Hairstreak
The Oak Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the United States. They are usually found in oak forests, and they are usually seen flying around in the early morning or late afternoon.
Purplish Copper
The Purplish Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the Appalachian Mountains. They are usually found in forests, but can also be found in open fields.
Reakirt’s Blue
The Reakirt’s Blue butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens. They are usually found in open areas where they can feed on flowers.
Spring Azure
The Spring Azure butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with blue wings and a yellow body. They live in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Striped Hairstreak
The Striped Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a colorful wingspan. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Summer Azure
A Summer Azure butterfly is a delicate, colorful butterfly that is often seen flitting around flowers in hot, sunny weather. They are particularly common in the United States, southern Canada, and parts of the Caribbean. They usually inhabit open, sunny areas with lots of flowers, but can also be found in gardens and parks.
Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Lucas County, Ohio
Black Swallowtail
The Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with black and yellow wings. They prefer to live in open areas such as meadows, but can also be found in forested areas. They are attracted to flowers, and can be seen flying around during the day.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in eastern North America. They are commonly found in forests and other areas with a lot of trees. They are often seen flying around in search of flowers.
Giant Swallowtail
The Giant Swallowtail butterfly is one of the largest butterfly species in North America. They are brightly colored and have large wingspans. They are typically found in open habitats with plenty of flowers to feed on.
Pipevine Swallowtail
A Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a colorful butterfly that has a distinctive swallowtail shape. They are typically found in open fields and woodlands, but can also be found near streams and rivers. They are active during the day, and may feed on nectar or small insects. Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies may also participate in activities such as flying, mating, and resting.
Spicebush Swallowtail
Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies have a wingspan of around 2-3 inches and are predominantly black with varying shades of brown. They are found in open, grassy areas with some trees and are usually seen flitting around in search of nectar.
Zebra Swallowtail
A Zebra Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful insect with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are typically blue or black, with white stripes running down their sides. They are found in open areas such as meadows, forests, and prairies, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Skipper Butterflies in Lucas County, Ohio
Black Dash
A Black Dash butterfly has black and yellow wings, and is often found near water. They live in open habitats, such as meadows and forests.
Broad-winged Skipper
The Broad-winged Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in open habitats such as meadows, pastures, and woodlands.
Cobweb Skipper
The Cobweb Skipper butterfly is a small, black and white butterfly with a wingspan of about 1-1/2 inches. They are found in open, grassy areas such as meadows and prairies.
Columbine Duskywing
The Columbine Duskywing butterfly is a dark-brown butterfly with a distinctive white band across the abdomen. They are found in open habitats, such as prairies and meadows, in the central and eastern United States.
Common Checkered-Skipper
The Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2-2.5 inches. Its wings are a light brown with a series of black and white checkered stripes. The butterfly is found in open areas with lots of flowering plants, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.
Common Sootywing
The Common Sootywing butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly that is typically green and brown with a metallic sheen. They are found in open areas, such as meadows and fields, but can also be found in forests.
Crossline Skipper
A Crossline Skipper butterfly looks like a small, brown butterfly with a white cross on its wings. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are usually seen flitting around.
Delaware Skipper
The Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly found in the eastern United States. They are often seen in open areas near streams and rivers.
Dion Skipper
A Dion Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is commonly found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and forests. They are generally shy and will fly away if disturbed.
Dreamy Duskywing
The Dreamy Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dusky brown wings and a white underside. They live in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and woodlands. They feed on nectar from flowers.
Dukes’ Skipper
A Dukes’ Skipper butterfly has a long tail and wings that are brown with a white band along the edge. They live in open areas with dense vegetation, such as meadows and forests.
Dun Skipper
The Dun Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found inhabiting open, sunny areas in both temperate and tropical regions. They are active during the day and fly quickly around their habitats.
Dusted Skipper
The Dusted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically brown and has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in warm, dry habitats such as prairies, grasslands, and deserts.
European Skipper
The European Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are a bright blue with a yellow and black pattern. The butterflies are found in open areas with plenty of flowers.
Fiery Skipper
The Fiery Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically blue or black with orange or red markings on the wings. The butterfly is found in open habitats, including grasslands and forests, and can be seen flying around during the day.
Hoary Edge
A Hoary Edge butterfly resembles a common milkweed butterfly, but has a white band on the edge of each wing. They are usually found in open areas such as fields and meadows, but can also be found in forests.
Hobomok Skipper
The Hobomok Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is a colorful butterfly with a black band across the middle of each wing. The habitat of the Hobomok Skipper butterfly is open fields, meadows, and woodlands.
Horace’s Duskywing
The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a white border around the wings. They are usually found in grasslands and prairies, but can also be found in oak and maple forests.
Juvenal’s Duskywing
A Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a dusky brown body and wings. They are found in open, grassy areas with scattered trees, and are most commonly seen in early summer. To identify a Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly, look for a brown and black butterfly with a yellow and black band on its wings.
Least Skipper
A Least Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a small, brightly-colored butterfly that is often seen flitting about near flowers. Least Skippers live in warm, dry areas such as prairies and deserts.
Leonard’s Skipper
Leonard’s Skipper butterflies are small, colorful insects with wings that look like a flagpole with stripes. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Little Glassywing
A Little Glassywing butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that is often found near water. They are usually light blue or green and have a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are native to the eastern United States, but have been introduced to other parts of the world. They are commonly found near flowers and grasslands.
Long Dash
The Long Dash butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in the north-central United States. It has a wingspan of about one and a half inches. It is a dark brown butterfly with a white band across the middle of its wings. The Long Dash butterfly is found in grassy areas and open woods.
Mottled Duskywing
The Mottled Duskywing butterfly is a brown and black butterfly with a spotted pattern on its wings. It lives in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and prairies.
Mulberry Wing
A Mulberry Wing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are typically brown with a pattern of dark spots on their wings. They are found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and prairies, but can also be found in gardens. They are very active fliers and are often seen chasing one another around.
Northern Broken-Dash
Northern Broken-Dash butterflies have a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are mostly dark brown, with light brown and white spots on their wings. They are found in grasslands and prairies, and are sometimes seen flying around flowers.
Northern Cloudywing
Northern Cloudywings are a small, brown butterfly with a white band across the middle of their wings. They are found in the north-central United States and Canada. They prefer moist woods and meadows, but can also be found near streams and rivers.
Peck’s Skipper
The Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small brown and black butterfly with a wingspan of about 1 inch. They are found in a variety of habitats, but are typically found near water sources.
Persius Duskywing
A Persius Duskywing butterfly has a dark brown wings and a light brown body. They are found in open areas, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Sachem
The Sachem butterfly is a small, striking butterfly with colorful wings. The habitat of a Sachem butterfly is open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and forests.
Silver-spotted Skipper
The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It is usually found in open, grassy areas near water.
Sleepy Duskywing
Sleepy Duskywings are small, brightly colored butterflies that can be found in the forested areas of the eastern United States. They are most commonly seen in late summer and autumn, when they are attracted to the light of the sun.
Southern Cloudywing
Southern Cloudywings are typically a dark brown or black, with white markings on their wings. They are most commonly found in open woodlands and forest, where they feed on nectar from flowers. Southern Cloudywings are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as the spread of invasive species.
Tawny-edged Skipper
The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly has a yellow and brown wings. It lives in open areas, such as fields and meadows.
Wild Indigo Duskywing
The Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly has a brown body with a orange band across the wings. They mostly live in open areas with dense vegetation, such as meadows and forests.
Zabulon Skipper
The Zabulon Skipper butterfly, is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the mountainous regions of North America. It has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The Zabulon Skipper butterfly is a member of the skipper family and is usually found flying around flowers.
White and Sulphur Butterflies in Lucas County, Ohio
Cabbage White
Cabbage White butterflies are typically light brown or tan with a white or cream-colored band across their wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, woodlands, and gardens.
Checkered White
The Checkered White butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a colorful pattern on its wings. It is found in open spaces and gardens throughout North America.
Clouded Sulphur
A Clouded Sulphur butterfly has a blue-green wings and a yellow body. They live in the north-central United States and Canada. They are important because they are a pollinator of many flowers.
Cloudless Sulphur
The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. This butterfly is found in tropical areas of the Americas, including Central and South America. The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is often seen flitting around in open areas of tall grasses or flowers.
Dainty Sulphur
The Dainty Sulphur butterfly is a small butterfly that is very colorful. It has a yellow and black wingspan, and a pink and black tail. It lives in the Sulphur region of the United States.
Little Yellow
The Little Yellow butterfly is typically a small, yellow butterfly that lives in open areas near water, such as meadows and fields.
Orange Sulphur
A Orange Sulphur butterfly is a brightly colored butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are found in open country, such as fields, meadows, and forests, and are attracted to flowers.
Sleepy Orange
Sleepy Orange butterflies have a bright orange body with a black border. They live in forests and gardens and are attracted to flowers.
Southern Dogface
The Southern Dogface butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the southern United States. This butterfly is typically light green and has a black border around the edge of the wings. The Southern Dogface butterfly is typically found in open areas, such as fields, forests, and meadows.
That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Lucas County, Ohio. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Ohio? We have lists for each of the 88 counties in the state.
- Adams
- Allen
- Ashland
- Ashtabula
- Athens
- Auglaize
- Belmont
- Brown
- Butler
- Carroll
- Champaign
- Clark
- Clermont
- Clinton
- Columbiana
- Coshocton
- Crawford
- Cuyahoga
- Darke
- Defiance
- Delaware
- Erie
- Fairfield
- Fayette
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Gallia
- Geauga
- Greene
- Guernsey
- Hamilton
- Hancock
- Hardin
- Harrison
- Henry
- Highland
- Hocking
- Holmes
- Huron
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Knox
- Lake
- Lawrence
- Licking
- Logan
- Lorain
- Lucas
- Madison
- Mahoning
- Marion
- Medina
- Meigs
- Mercer
- Miami
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Morgan
- Morrow
- Muskingum
- Noble
- Ottawa
- Paulding
- Perry
- Pickaway
- Pike
- Portage
- Preble
- Putnam
- Richland
- Ross
- Sandusky
- Scioto
- Seneca
- Shelby
- Stark
- Summit
- Trumbull
- Tuscarawas
- Union
- Van Wert
- Vinton
- Warren
- Washington
- Wayne
- Williams
- Wood
- Wyandot