There are 93 species of butterflies you can find in Middlesex County, Connecticut. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Middlesex County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:
Brush-footed Butterflies in Middlesex County, Connecticut
‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple
The ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the forested areas of the eastern United States. The butterfly has a bright red spot on each of its wings.
American Lady
The American Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and black wings. They are found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and woodland.
American Snout
The American Snout butterfly is a brown and black butterfly with a long snout. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Aphrodite Fritillary
The Aphrodite Fritillary butterfly is a small butterfly with a beautiful wingspan of about three inches. The butterfly is a light brown and has a yellow-orange border around each wing. The butterfly is most commonly found in open woodland and meadows, but can also be found in gardens.
Appalachian Brown
The Appalachian Brown butterfly looks like a small brown and tan butterfly with black markings on its wings. They are found in open, wooded areas throughout the Appalachian region.
Atlantis Fritillary
The Atlantis Fritillary butterfly is a small, brightly colored butterfly that is found in open areas with plenty of nectar sources. They prefer habitats that are moist and have a lot of flowers.
Baltimore Checkerspot
The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3 inches. They are predominantly blue, but with a white band across their wings. They are found in the eastern United States, including Maryland, but are also found in parts of Canada. They are usually found in open areas with plenty of flowers, but can also be found in forested areas.
Common Buckeye
The Common Buckeye butterfly is a brightly-colored butterfly found in woodlands and parks throughout the United States. The butterfly has a wingspan of about two inches. It is a member of the buckeye family, which includes other brightly-colored butterflies found in the United States. The Common Buckeye butterfly is found in areas with dense tree cover.
Common Ringlet
The Common Ringlet butterfly is a small butterfly that is often seen flitting around flowers. They are usually found in open areas near water, but can also be found in fields and forests.
Common Wood-Nymph
The Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is a small butterfly that is predominantly black with a yellow tail. They are often found in open areas such as forests, fields, and meadows, but can also be found near ponds and streams.
Compton Tortoiseshell
The Compton Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about three inches. The butterfly is a native of the eastern United States and is known for its distinctive bright orange and black coloring. The butterfly is found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as blueberry bushes, to feed on.
Eastern Comma
Eastern Comma butterflies are small and colorful with a black comma on their hindwings. They live in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Great Spangled Fritillary
The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with blue and yellow wings. They are most commonly found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and forests.
Harris’ Checkerspot
The Harris’ Checkerspot butterfly is a delicate butterfly with a spotted wingspan. Its namesake is the distinctive checkerboard pattern on its wings. This butterfly is most commonly found in warm, dry habitats near the coast.
Little Wood-Satyr
The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is a brown butterfly that has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is found in the eastern United States, from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas. The butterfly is most common in the eastern part of its range. It prefers mixed forests, but can also be found in deciduous and oak woods.
Meadow Fritillary
The Meadow Fritillary butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in meadows and gardens. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The Meadow Fritillary butterfly is a member of the Nymphalidae family, which is known for its brightly colored wings and often abundant populations.
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
A Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly with a brown body and a yellow and brown striped wings. They are typically found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Monarch
A Monarch butterfly has a wingspan of about 3 inches. Their wings are a bright orange, which is unique among all butterflies. They are found in tropical climates, and prefer to live near a source of water. Monarchs are attracted to flowers, and can be found drinking nectar from flowers as they fly.
Mourning Cloak
A Mourning Cloak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a black and brown wings. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are often seen flying around in groups. They are very attracted to flowers, and are known to live in areas with a lot of flowering plants.
Northern Pearly-eye
A Northern Pearly-eye butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are often seen flitting among the flowers of open fields and meadows. The Northern Pearly-eye butterfly is found in North America, mostly in the eastern half of the continent. They are most common in the Appalachian Mountains, but are also found in the Northeast and the Great Lakes Region.
Painted Lady
The Painted Lady butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in North America. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers.
Pearl Crescent
The Pearl Crescent butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It is found in warm, temperate regions throughout North America. The butterfly is most commonly seen in open areas with plenty of flowers to feed on, such as fields and meadows.
Question Mark
A Question Mark butterfly is typically a light brown or tan color with brown or black markings on the wings. They are typically found in areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Red Admiral
A Red Admiral butterfly is typically a bright red color with black markings on the wings. They are found in warm, tropical climates, often near bodies of water. They are considered a threatened species, and their habitat is being destroyed by development.
Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral
The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in open areas with plenty of flowers to feed on. They are usually seen in warmer climates, but have been seen in colder climates as well. They are usually seen near water, but can also be found in high altitudes.
Silver-bordered Fritillary
The Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly has a wingspan of about 3.5 inches. They are mostly blue but have a silver border running along the edge of each wing. They are found in open woodland, meadows, and gardens, but can also be found near streams and ponds.
Silvery Checkerspot
The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a pale yellow wings and a black band across its wings. They are found in the eastern United States and Canada. They are most commonly found in open, sunny areas with plenty of flowering plants.
Tawny Emperor
A Tawny Emperor butterfly is a beautiful, bright yellow and black butterfly. They are found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
Variegated Fritillary
The Variegated Fritillary butterfly is a small, brightly colored butterfly with a variety of colors on its wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of nectar, such as meadows and fields.
Viceroy
A Viceroy butterfly has a dark brown body with a white and black wingspan. They are found in forests across North America.
Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Middlesex County, Connecticut
Acadian Hairstreak
The Acadian Hairstreak butterfly is a brown and black butterfly with a white “tail”. They are found in the eastern United States, especially in the Appalachian Mountains. They are solitary butterflies and are most common in open woods and meadows.
American Copper
The American Copper butterfly looks like a small, metallic blue butterfly with brown and yellow markings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and woodlands.
Banded Hairstreak
The Banded Hairstreak Butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the forests of North America. They are attracted to the flowers of the maple tree and are one of the most popular butterflies to observe. They are also one of the most common butterflies to be seen in the wild.
Bog Copper
Bog Copper butterflies are small, brown butterflies with a metallic sheen. They are found in moist, spongy habitats, such as bogs and marshes.
Bronze Copper
A Bronze Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic bronze body and copper wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, and are usually seen flitting around in the sunshine.
Brown Elfin
The Brown Elfin butterfly is a small, delicate-looking butterfly. Its wings are a dark brown, and its body is a light brown. It is found in open habitats, such as meadows, fields, and oak forests.
Cherry Gall Azure
The Cherry Gall Azure butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that ranges across much of North America. This butterfly is commonly found in deciduous and mixed woods, as well as in pastures and meadows. The Cherry Gall Azure butterfly is common during the spring, but is also frequently seen during the fall.
Coral Hairstreak
A Coral Hairstreak butterfly has a bright yellow and black wings with a characteristic red ornament on the front edge of each wing. They are found in areas with warm, moist climates, typically near bodies of water. They are mostly found in the tropics, but have been spotted as far north as Canada. They are usually found in open areas with plenty of flowers to feed on.
Eastern Pine Elfin
The Eastern Pine Elfin butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are mostly green, with a light purple and white stripe running the length of the wing. They are found in the eastern United States, where they live in open forests.
Eastern Tailed-Blue
A Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly is a beautiful and brightly coloured butterfly. They are usually found in open, sunny areas such as meadows and gardens.
Gray Hairstreak
Gray Hairstreaks are small, delicate butterflies with a dainty appearance. They are typically light gray or tan with a few patches of black, and their wings have a metallic sheen. They are most commonly found in open, grassy areas, but can also be found in forests.
Harvester
The Harvester butterfly is a colorful, large butterfly that is found in open fields and meadows. They feed on flowers and are attracted to brightly colored objects.
Hickory Hairstreak
The Hickory Hairstreak butterfly is a striking butterfly with its bright orange wings and brown body. They are found in open areas such as fields and meadows, where they feed on nectar.
Juniper Hairstreak
A Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a small, brightly colored butterfly that is found in open, grassy areas. They are usually found near streams or rivers.
Red-banded Hairstreak
A Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a red band across the hindwing. They are found in open forests, wooded hillsides, and scrubby areas.
Spring Azure
The Spring Azure butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the United States and Mexico. It has a wingspan of about two inches. The butterfly is usually green, but can also have blue, brown, or yellow markings on its wings. The butterfly is found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Striped Hairstreak
A Striped Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with black and white stripes on its wings. It is found in open areas such as meadows, woodlands, and gardens.
Summer Azure
The Summer Azure butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with blue wings. They are found in the north-central United States and in the eastern part of Canada. They prefer open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
White-M Hairstreak
A White-M Hairstreak butterfly looks like a colorful butterfly with a white underside. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as gardens, fields, and meadows.
Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Middlesex County, Connecticut
Black Swallowtail
The Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful, delicate creature with dark brown wings and a distinctive white band across its wings. They are found in open areas, including forest edges and meadows, and prefer to stay close to water.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a black and yellow pattern on its wings. They are usually found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Spicebush Swallowtail
Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies are typically green and brown with bands of yellow and black. They are found in open areas with lots of spicebush, which is where they get their name. They are also found in meadows and forests.
Skipper Butterflies in Middlesex County, Connecticut
Black Dash
The Black Dash butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a black and yellow wings. These butterflies live in open spaces, such as fields and meadows, and are often seen flitting about.
Broad-winged Skipper
A Broad-winged Skipper butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with wings that are spread wide. These butterflies live in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and they are attracted to flowers.
Cobweb Skipper
A Cobweb Skipper butterfly is small, colorful, and has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Columbine Duskywing
The Columbine Duskywing butterfly is usually a dark brown or black butterfly. They are found in the western US, including Colorado and Utah. They like to live in open areas with lots of grasses and flowers.
Common Sootywing
A Common Sootywing butterfly has dark brown wings with a light band across the middle. They are found in open areas, such as grasslands, forests, and meadows.
Crossline Skipper
A Crossline Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are a metallic blue with a white line running across the wings. They are found in open areas with tall grasses, flowers, and trees.
Delaware Skipper
Delaware Skipper butterflies are small, brown butterflies with blue and yellow markings on their wings. They feed on flowers, and live in meadows, forests, and gardens.
Dreamy Duskywing
A Dreamy Duskywing butterfly has a dusky brown body with a white band across its wings. They are found in open areas with dense vegetation, such as forests, prairies, and grasslands.
Dun Skipper
Dun Skipper butterflies are small, colorful butterflies that live in open habitats, such as meadows and fields. They are mostly seen in the spring and summer, but can be found throughout the year in warmer climates.
Dusted Skipper
A Dusted Skipper butterfly looks like a small brown and yellow butterfly with a dusting of brown along the wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
European Skipper
The European Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that frequents open landscapes such as meadows, fields, and gardens.
Fiery Skipper
The Fiery Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a distinctive red band across its wing. They are found in areas with warm, dry climates, like the deserts of North America. They are typically found near flowers.
Hoary Edge
A Hoary Edge butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 3 inches. They are usually light brown or gray with a series of white stripes down their wings. They are found in open areas with lots of wildflowers, such as meadows and woodlands.
Hobomok Skipper
A Hobomok Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a long, slender tail. They are found in open areas near streams and ponds, and are usually seen flying around in large flocks.
Horace’s Duskywing
The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a distinctive pattern of black and brown on its wings. They prefer areas with dry, open habitats, such as prairies, open forests, and barren areas.
Indian Skipper
The Indian Skipper butterfly is a bright orange and black butterfly with a black band across its wings. It is found in open grasslands and pastures, and is attracted to light.
Juvenal’s Duskywing
The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with black and brown wings. They are found in the eastern US, Canada, and the West Indies. They are commonly found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Least Skipper
The Least Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that can be found in the United States. In general, they are a brown and white butterfly, with a distinctive black border around their wings. They are found in a variety of habitats, including gardens, meadows, and forests.
Leonard’s Skipper
The Leonard’s Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically seen flying around near streams and rivers. They are usually bright blue in color and have a stripe down their abdomen. They prefer habitats near water and can be found in many parts of North America.
Little Glassywing
The Little Glassywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open areas such as meadows, prairies, and woodlands. They are attracted to light and often perch on flowers to get the perfect view.
Long Dash
The Long Dash butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are a deep purple, and the butterfly has a black dot on each wing. The Long Dash butterfly lives in open, grassy areas, and is attracted to light.
Long-tailed Skipper
A Long-tailed Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches and is mostly black with bright yellow and orange markings. They live in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are very active flyers.
Mulberry Wing
A Mulberry Wing butterfly is a small, brown and white butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are found in open, grassy areas and gardens throughout the east coast of the US and Canada.
Northern Broken-Dash
Northern Broken-Dash butterflies are a beautiful dark brown with white spots on their wings. They are found in the north-central United States and parts of Canada. They live in open, grassy areas with plenty of flowers.
Northern Cloudywing
Northern Cloudywing butterflies are a beautiful species of butterfly that lives in the North American forests. They are typically light green with a dark brown dorsal stripe and a white or light yellow underside. They are often seen flying around in groups and are quite common in the areas they inhabit.
Ocola Skipper
The Ocola Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically blue, black, or brown with a green or yellow band across its wings. The habitat of the Ocola Skipper butterfly is open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens.
Peck’s Skipper
The Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and woods.
Silver-spotted Skipper
The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly that has a metallic sheen to its wings. The habitat of a Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is open areas with dense vegetation, such as fields, gardens, and orchards.
Southern Cloudywing
The Southern Cloudywing butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly black with a white band across its wings. They are found in the southeastern United States, in humid, wooded areas.
Swarthy Skipper
A Swarthy Skipper butterfly is typically a light brown and has a black band on its wings. They live in woodlands and other open areas, and are attracted to flowers.
Tawny-edged Skipper
The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a bright yellow and brown wings. They are found in open habitats with plentiful flowers.
Two-spotted Skipper
The Two-spotted Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are a light brown with two white spots. They are found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens.
Wild Indigo Duskywing
The Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful black and white butterfly. They are usually found in open areas near water, such as meadows and woodlands.
Zabulon Skipper
The Zabulon Skipper butterfly is a small, brown and white butterfly that is found in open grasslands and woodlands.
White and Sulphur Butterflies in Middlesex County, Connecticut
Cabbage White
A Cabbage White butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are usually light brown, but can also be light yellow, orange, or red. They are found in open habitats, such as meadows and fields, and are sometimes seen flying around flowers.
Clouded Sulphur
A Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dark blue body and light blue wings. They are usually found in open areas with lots of sunshine, such as fields and gardens.
Cloudless Sulphur
The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is a pretty striking butterfly. They have a metallic sheen to their wings, which is a result of the iridescent scales on their wings. Cloudless Sulphur butterflies are found in open, sunny areas with plenty of nectar sources.
Falcate Orangetip
The Falcate Orangetip butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in dry areas such as oak woodlands and prairies. This butterfly is very active during the day and can be found flitting around the flowers.
Little Yellow
A Little Yellow butterfly is small and has yellow and black markings on its wings. They live in meadows, forests, and gardens and are attracted to nectar.
Orange Sulphur
A Orange Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful, brightly coloured butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are found in warm, humid areas such as tropical rainforests and subtropical mangroves.
West Virginia White
West Virginia White butterflies are a small butterfly that is commonly found in the Appalachian Mountains. They are often seen fluttering around flowers in open fields or woodlands.
That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Middlesex County, Connecticut. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Connecticut? We have lists for each of the 8 counties in the state.