Butterflies in New Castle County, Delaware

There are 96 species of butterflies you can find in New Castle County, Delaware. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in New Castle County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:


Brush-footed Butterflies in New Castle County, Delaware

‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple

The ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The butterfly is mostly light purple in color, with a few red spots on the wings. The butterfly lives in warm, dry habitats, such as chaparral and oak forests.

American Lady

The American Lady butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows.

American Snout

The American Snout butterfly has a black head, a white chin and throat, and a blue and black wings. They live in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and eat a variety of flowers.

Appalachian Brown

The Appalachian Brown butterfly is typically a medium-sized butterfly that ranges in color from brown to reddish brown. They are found in deciduous and mixed forests throughout the Appalachian Mountains.

Baltimore Checkerspot

The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a checkerboard pattern on its wings. They are found in warm, sunny areas throughout the United States. They love to feed on nectar from flowers, and their habitat includes open areas with plenty of flowering plants.

Common Buckeye

The Common Buckeye butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a blue wingspan. They are found in forested areas throughout the United States.

Common Wood-Nymph

A Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is typically light green with brown wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of moisture, such as forests, meadows, and gardens.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma butterflies are typically light brown with black spots on their wings. They like to live in moist woods and gardens.

Eyed Brown

Eyed brown butterflies are a medium-sized butterfly and are typically brown or black with a light brown eye-spot on their forewings. They are found in warm, dry areas throughout the United States and parts of Mexico. They are attracted to flowers, but can also be found resting on tree bark or other surfaces.

Gray Comma

The Gray Comma butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is native to North America. They are typically a light gray color, with a white comma on their wings. They are typically found in open areas with plenty of sunlight, such as fields and meadows.

Great Spangled Fritillary

The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in North America. The butterfly has a bright blue and yellow wings and is very active. The butterfly is found in open areas, such as meadows, and loves to feed on nectar.

Gulf Fritillary

A Gulf Fritillary butterfly is typically a pale brown or gray with darker spots and a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Hackberry Emperor

The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a large and brightly-colored butterfly found in the central and southern United States. Adults have a wingspan of up to 2.5 inches and are mostly black, with a bright yellow and red patch on each wing. They prefer dense forests and gardens, but are also found in open spaces near rivers and streams.

Little Wood-Satyr

The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly brown with a few white markings. They are found in woodlands and forests.

Meadow Fritillary

A Meadow Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that lives in meadows.

Milbert’s Tortoiseshell

A Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a deep blue with a cream-colored stripe down the middle. The butterfly is found in the tropical rainforest canopy.

Monarch

The Monarch butterfly is a beautiful insect with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are mainly found in North America, but can also be found in Central America and South America. They are very versatile fliers and can easily navigate through the air. They thrive in tropical climates and often lay their eggs on milkweed plants.

Mourning Cloak

The Mourning Cloak butterfly generally has a dark brown or black body with a bright yellow or orange wing span. They are found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Painted Lady

The Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. It is a delicate butterfly that is brightly colored and has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The butterfly is commonly found near flowers, and is known to feed on nectar.

Pearl Crescent

The Pearl Crescent butterfly is typically a beautiful dark brown and black butterfly with a white crescent on its wing. They are found in moist forests and gardens from eastern North America to Brazil.

Question Mark

The Question Mark butterfly is predominantly blue with a white wingtip and a yellow band on the forewing. The habitat of the Question Mark is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Red Admiral

The Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in warm, tropical climates. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are bright red, with a thin white band across the middle. The butterfly is most commonly seen flitting around flowers in the early morning or late afternoon.

Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral

A Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with brilliant colors. They usually have a purple patch on the upper side of their hindwings, and a white patch on the underside. They are common butterflies found in many habitats, including gardens, forests, and fields.

Regal Fritillary

A Regal Fritillary butterfly is mostly bronze in color with black markings on the wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as fields, gardens, and meadows.

Silver-bordered Fritillary

The Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen to its wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and forests.

Silvery Checkerspot

The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as meadows and prairies.

Tawny Emperor

The Tawny Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange and black wings. They are found in warm, dry habitats with lots of flowers.

Variegated Fritillary

The Variegated Fritillary butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically light brown and has a variety of yellow and white markings on its wings. The butterfly is found in the United States and Canada, but is also found in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe. The butterfly is typically found near water, and is known to feed on nectar from flowers.

Viceroy

A Viceroy butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that lives in the tropics. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The Viceroy butterfly is a very active butterfly and can be seen flying from tree to tree. The Viceroy butterfly prefers to live in moist tropical forests.


Gossamer-wing Butterflies in New Castle County, Delaware

American Copper

The American Copper butterfly wingspan is about 2-1/4 inches. They are a dark brown with a reddish orange band on the wings. They live in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to flowers.

Appalachian Azure

The Appalachian Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly that frequents open woods and meadows.

Banded Hairstreak

A Banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that often flies around in groups. Their wings are banded in different colors, and they love to perch on flowers to drink nectar. They live in wet habitats, such as marshes, and their food source is often flowers.

Bronze Copper

A Bronze Copper butterfly has a metallic copper color and is usually found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and woods.

Coral Hairstreak

A Coral Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful orange and black butterfly that often rests on a piece of coral. These butterflies live in warm, tropical climates. They are often seen in open areas with lots of vegetation.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

The Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly is typically a dark blue with a white tail. It lives in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Frosted Elfin

Frosted Elfin butterflies are a small butterfly that is typically light blue or violet with a white or light purple frosting on their wings. They are found in cool areas throughout the United States and Canada. They live in shady areas near streams and ponds where they can sip water and eat insects.

Gray Hairstreak

The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in open areas such as fields and meadows. They are attracted to light and can often be found perched on flowers.

Great Purple Hairstreak

The Great Purple Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about four inches. The butterfly is typically light purple with a black border around each wing. The butterfly is found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forest clearings.

Harvester

A Harvester butterfly looks like a small, dark brown or black butterfly with large, bright orange eyes. They are found in open, grassy areas with plenty of flowers to feed on.

Juniper Hairstreak

The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a bright green and brown wings. They occur in open, dry woodlands and chaparral, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Red-banded Hairstreak

The Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the eastern United States. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, forests, and gardens.

Spring Azure

A Spring Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue and white butterfly that inhabits open woodlands and meadows.

Striped Hairstreak

The Striped Hairstreak butterfly is a stunning butterfly with alternating black and white stripes on its wings. They are typically found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests, but can also be found in urban areas. They are generally shy and fly quickly away if disturbed.

Summer Azure

The Summer Azure butterfly is a delicate, blue butterfly with a white tail. They live in open, sunny areas, such as meadows and fields.

White-M Hairstreak

White-M Hairstreak butterflies are typically a light brown or tan color with a distinctive white “tail”. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, typically in the United States and Canada.


Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in New Castle County, Delaware

Black Swallowtail

A Black Swallowtail butterfly is dark brown with a yellow tail. They live in the forests of North America.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful and brightly colored butterfly. They are found in open spaces, such as fields, meadows, and forests, and are often seen flitting around flowers.

Giant Swallowtail

A Giant Swallowtail butterfly has a wingspan of up to 3.5 inches. They are mostly black with a yellow band across the middle of their wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Palamedes Swallowtail

The Palamedes Swallowtail butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open habitats throughout North America. Adults are typically a light green or blue with dark purple stripes along the wings. They are often seen flying around flowers during the daytime.

Pipevine Swallowtail

A Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a black and orange wings. They are usually seen in the early morning or late evening flying around flowers. They are usually found in areas with lots of pipevines.

Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies live in open spaces with a lot of flowering plants. They are usually found in the eastern United States.

Zebra Swallowtail

A Zebra Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful, brightly colored butterfly with a long tail. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and prairies.


Skipper Butterflies in New Castle County, Delaware

Aaron’s Skipper

The Aaron’s Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a yellow band across its wings. It prefers open, sunny areas, such as fields and meadows. The habitat of the Aaron’s Skipper butterfly ranges from the southeastern United States to the Gulf of Mexico.

Black Dash

Black Dash butterflies are typically a dark brown or black, with orange or yellow markings on the wings. They prefer to reside in open areas with a lot of flowers, such as meadows or fields.

Brazilian Skipper

The Brazilian Skipper butterfly is a small, orange and black butterfly that inhabits tropical rainforest.

Broad-winged Skipper

The Broad-winged Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. The butterfly is light green with brown and black stripes. The Broad-winged Skipper butterfly lives in open spaces, such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Common Checkered-Skipper

The Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a distinctive pattern of white and black stripes on its wings. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are usually seen flitting around in the air.

Common Sootywing

A Common Sootywing butterfly has a wingspan of about 3-1/2 inches. It has a brown body and a black and brown wings. It is found in deciduous and mixed woods.

Confused Cloudywing

A Confused Cloudywing butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The habitat of a Confused Cloudywing butterfly is typically deciduous and mixed forests, but they can also be found in a variety of other habitats including urban areas.

Crossline Skipper

The Crossline Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. It is a member of the family Nymphalidae and is closely related to the Common Skipper butterfly. The Crossline Skipper has a wingspan of about 1 1/2 inches. The wings are light brown with a crossline pattern on the wings. The butterfly is found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Delaware Skipper

The Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are generally light brown, with a series of small, dark spots on their wings. They are found in meadows, woodlands, and other open areas with ample flowers.

Dion Skipper

The Dion Skipper is a small butterfly that is mostly black with a metallic sheen. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, where they feed on nectar.

Dun Skipper

The Dun Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in open habitats such as grasslands, prairies, and meadows.

European Skipper

The European Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a narrow wingspan. It is typically light brown or yellow with black markings. It prefers humid areas with dense vegetation, such as wet meadows or marshes.

Fiery Skipper

A Fiery Skipper butterfly is a small, orange and black butterfly with a colorful wingspan. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as meadows and prairies.

Golden Banded-Skipper

The Golden Banded-Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the temperate regions of North America. They are typically found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Hayhurst’s Scallopwing

The Hayhurst’s Scallopwing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dark green body and bright orange wings. They are found in the tropics and subtropics, typically in moist habitats near water sources.

Hoary Edge

The Hoary Edge butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a distinctive white line along the edge of each wing. They are found in open, grassy areas with plenty of flowers.

Hobomok Skipper

The Hobomok Skipper butterfly is small and has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. Its wings are a light brown color with a few black spots. Its wings are very flexible and can be easily bent. The Hobomok Skipper butterfly lives on the edge of open fields and meadows. It is very sensitive to changes in its environment and can quickly fly away if it feels threatened.

Horace’s Duskywing

The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly has a dark brown body with a light brown band along the top of its wings. It is found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Indian Skipper

The Indian Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is brown and has a white spot on the wing. They live in warm, wet areas like streams and wetlands.

Juvenal’s Duskywing

The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a dark gray butterfly with a white band across the wing. They are found in the eastern United States, in the Appalachian Mountains and in the Ozarks. They are usually found in open woodlands and meadows, but can also be found near streams.

Least Skipper

Least Skippers are small, brown butterflies that live in open areas with lots of flowers. They are usually found near water, and sometimes in forests.

Little Glassywing

The Little Glassywing butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly brown with a few white spots. They live in the forests of North America.

Long-tailed Skipper

A Long-tailed Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a blue and black butterfly with a white tail. It is found in open fields and meadows, and sometimes in forests.

Mulberry Wing

A Mulberry Wing butterfly looks like a small, brown and white butterfly with a distinctive fringe of brown wings. They are found in open, grassy habitats, such as meadows and fields.

Northern Broken-Dash

The Northern Broken-Dash butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a broken dash on its wings. It is found in open areas, such as roadsides and fields, where it feeds on nectar.

Ocola Skipper

The Ocola Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is often seen perched on flowers, drinking nectar. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches.

Peck’s Skipper

The Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that is found in open areas, such as fields and meadows. The butterfly is usually found near water sources, where it will drink.

Rare Skipper

The Rare Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a yellow and black band on its wings. It lives in open, grassy areas with some scattered trees.

Sachem

The Sachem butterfly is a beautiful and elusive butterfly found in the eastern United States and eastern Canada. This butterfly is mostly black with a orange band along its wings. The Sachem butterfly is found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, forests, and wetlands.

Silver-spotted Skipper

The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a black and silver wings. They are usually seen in open areas with lots of flowering plants, such as meadows and fields.

Sleepy Duskywing

The Sleepy Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dusky brown body and wings. They are found in the eastern United States, and are most commonly found in wet forests.

Swarthy Skipper

A Swarthy Skipper butterfly is a large, dark brown butterfly with black markings on the wings. They are found in tropical and subtropical areas, often near water. They are often seen flying around flowers.

Tawny-edged Skipper

The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly resembles a small, brown and black butterfly with a reddish-orange band along the outer edge of each hindwing. These butterflies are found in grasslands, meadows and agricultural areas across North America.

Wild Indigo Duskywing

The Wild Indigo Duskywing is a beautiful butterfly with a dark umber body and a blue-violet wingspan. They are found in open habitats such as prairies, meadows, and parks.

Zabulon Skipper

The Zabulon Skipper butterfly is a small, blue butterfly that is common in open, sunny areas. It is usually found near water, but can also be found in gardens and woods.


White and Sulphur Butterflies in New Castle County, Delaware

Cabbage White

The Cabbage White butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. Its wings are a light, bluish-white color, and its body is a dull brown. The Cabbage White butterfly is found in the eastern United States, in areas with a temperate climate. It is most commonly found in fields and meadows, but can also be found in gardens and parks.

Checkered White

A Checkered White butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are bright white with a series of dark brown stripes. The butterfly is found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and gardens.

Clouded Sulphur

A Clouded Sulphur butterfly has a wingspan of about 2-3 inches. It is a metallic blue with a white “cloud” on the wings. The butterflies are found in temperate and sub-tropical areas of North America. They live in open areas with flowers, such as milkweed, clover, and asters.

Cloudless Sulphur

A Cloudless Sulphur butterfly has a slightly brown body with a bright yellow stripe running the length of its wings. They are found in open country with lots of sunlight, such as prairies and meadows.

Falcate Orangetip

The Falcate Orangetip butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. It has a purple and yellow wings with a black spot on the wingtip. The butterfly is found in tropical areas of the world, usually in forests.

Little Yellow

The Little Yellow butterfly is a small butterfly with a yellow and black wings. They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens.

Orange Sulphur

The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the east coast of North America. It is a common butterfly that can be found in open spaces such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Sleepy Orange

A Sleepy Orange butterfly looks like a sleepy orange color and has a wingspan of about 2-3 inches. They are common in open areas such as fields, woods, and gardens.

Southern Dogface

The Southern Dogface butterfly has a brown body with a yellow band across its wings. They live in open spaces with lots of flowers, such as meadows and gardens.


That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in New Castle County, Delaware. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Delaware? We have lists for each of the 3 counties in the state.