Red and orange butterflies flying against a blue sky

Butterflies in Pecos County, Texas

There are 70 species of butterflies you can find in Pecos County, Texas. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Pecos County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:

Brush-footed Butterflies in Pecos County, Texas

American Lady

The American Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. Their wings are a bright orange and they have black stripes on their wings. They live in the forests and fields of the United States.

American Snout

The American Snout butterfly is a large butterfly that has a snout-like protrusion on its head. It is found in open areas, such as forests, meadows, and fields, and is typically found near water.

Bordered Patch

A Bordered Patch butterfly has a dark border around its wings. They are usually found in forests, but can also be found in gardens.

Common Mestra

A Common Mestra butterfly is typically a dark brown or black butterfly, with a wingspan of about two inches. They are found in open habitats such as woodland, meadows, and fields.

Common Wood-Nymph

The Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is a brown and white butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are found in deciduous and mixed forest habitats.

Elada Checkerspot

The Elada Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and black body. They inhabit dry, open areas such as chaparral and woodlands.

Empress Leilia

A Empress Leilia butterfly is typically a bright pink color with black markings on the wings. They are typically found in the tropical regions of Central and South America, but have been found in other parts of the world as well. They are typically found in warm, moist environments near water.

Gulf Fritillary

The Gulf Fritillary butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It has a light brown body and a dark brown wings. It is found in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. Its habitat is coastal prairies, oak-hickory forests, and other wooded areas.

Hackberry Emperor

The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to two inches. It is a beautiful light blue and green butterfly with a white band across its wings. The Hackberry Emperor is found in the forests of the eastern United States, and its habitat consists of open areas with lots of hackberry trees.

Malachite

The Malachite butterfly is a colorful butterfly that resides in the tropical forests of Central and South America. They are usually seen in bright shades of green and blue, with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The Malachite butterfly is a popular butterfly to keep as a pet, as they are gentle and easy to care for. They prefer warm climates and live near water sources.

Mourning Cloak

The Mourning Cloak butterfly is a small, black and white butterfly. It has a wingspan of about one inch. The Mourning Cloak butterfly lives in oak and hickory forests.

Painted Crescent

The Painted Crescent butterfly is a colorful butterfly that can be found in the understory of forests.

Painted Lady

A Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are usually light green or blue with a colorful band across their wings. They are found in the eastern half of North America and are commonly seen fluttering around flowers.

Queen

A Queen butterfly is typically a creamy white color with brown and black markings on the wings. They are found in warm habitats such as forests, gardens, orchards, and fields.

Red Admiral

The Red Admiral butterfly is a large butterfly with a bright red body and wings. They are found in warm, moist habitats, including forests, gardens, and marshes.

Tawny Emperor

The Tawny Emperor butterfly is a beautiful, brightly-colored butterfly. Its wingspan can be up to three inches. It is found in tropical rainforests.

Texan Crescent

The Texan Crescent butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. It is a bright orange and black butterfly and is usually found in open areas with lots of flowers. The butterfly is usually found near water sources and is known to be a fast flier.

Theona Checkerspot

Theona Checkerspot butterflies are medium-sized butterflies with a light brown body and wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowering plants, such as meadows and prairies.

Tiny Checkerspot

Tiny Checkerspot butterflies are the smallest subspecies of the Checkerspot butterfly. They are typically tan with a light brown or gray head and thorax. They have black eyes and a white band on the forewing. They live in subtropical and tropical areas. They are found in dry, open areas with lots of flowers.

Variegated Fritillary

Variegated Fritillary butterflies are typically light green with a pattern of dark and light stripes. They are found in open, sunny areas such as meadows, fields, and woods.

Vesta or Graphic Crescent

The Vesta or Graphic Crescent butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is commonly found near streams and rivers. They are most commonly found in deciduous forests, but can be found in other types of habitats as well. They are active during the day and are attracted to light.

Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Pecos County, Texas

Cyna Blue

A Cyna Blue butterfly has a blue body with black streaks and a yellow abdomen. They are found in open areas with lots of flowering plants, such as fields and gardens.

Gray Hairstreak

The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a gray body and orange wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and woodlands.

Juniper Hairstreak

A Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with orange and black wings. They are found in open forests and can be found near streams and ponds.

Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak

The Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly with a brown body and wings. It is found in open habitats, such as meadows and fields, and can be found in summer in the eastern United States.

Marine Blue

Male Marine Blue butterflies have a bright blue wings with a white border. They are found in coastal areas, gardens, and orchards. The female is brown with a blue border. They are found in the same areas as the males, but are more common in the summer.

Poling’s Hairstreak

The Poling’s Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a tuft of black hair on its head. The habitat of a Poling’s Hairstreak butterfly is open, grassy areas with plenty of nectar sources.

Reakirt’s Blue

The Reakirt’s Blue butterfly is a large butterfly with a blue wings and body. The habitat of the Reakirt’s Blue butterfly is open grasslands, prairies, and deserts.

Soapberry Hairstreak

The Soapberry Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in the southeastern United States, where they prefer open woodlands and forests. They are often seen flitting about among the leaves of the trees.

Western Pygmy-Blue

The Western Pygmy-Blue butterfly has a wingspan of about 1 ½ inches. Its wings are a light blue color with a few black spots. It lives in forests and meadows, and is usually seen flying around in groups.

Metalmark Butterflies in Pecos County, Texas

Fatal Metalmark

The Fatal Metalmark butterfly is a small, black and white butterfly with a metallic sheen. It is usually found in damp, shady areas near rivers and streams.

Palmer’s Metalmark

The Palmer’s Metalmark butterfly is a brown and black butterfly that is found in the United States and Canada. It is a common butterfly in open habitats such as meadows and fields.

Rawson’s Metalmark

The Rawson’s Metalmark butterfly is a small, metallic-looking butterfly with a wingspan of about one inch. The butterfly is mostly black, with a metallic sheen, and a wingspan of about one inch. It is found in open habitats, such as prairies, meadows, and open woods, and is often seen flitting about near flowers.

Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Pecos County, Texas

Black Swallowtail

The Black Swallowtail butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 3-4 inches. They are found in wooded areas and gardens throughout the eastern United States. They feed on nectar from flowers.

Ornythion Swallowtail

The Ornythion Swallowtail butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3.5 inches. The butterfly is predominantly blue, but can also be brown or black. The habitat of the Ornythion Swallowtail butterfly is forests, but they can also be found in open areas.

Pipevine Swallowtail

A Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. Their wings are a beautiful green and they have a yellow band across the middle of their wings. They are found in areas with lots of Pipevine plants, which is a type of plant that has long, curved thorns on the stems. They are usually found in open areas near water, where they can sip on the water to cool off.

Two-tailed Swallowtail

The Two-tailed Swallowtail butterfly is a large butterfly with a distinctive two tails. The habitat of the Two-tailed Swallowtail butterfly is open, grassy areas.

Skipper Butterflies in Pecos County, Texas

Common Checkered-Skipper

The Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. The wings are a light cream color with a series of black and cream stripes. The butterflies live in open habitats, such as meadows and fields, but are also found near woodlands.

Common Sootywing

A Common Sootywing butterfly is a drab butterfly with a brown and black body. They are found in open habitats near water, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Common Streaky-Skipper

The Common Streaky-Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a distinctive pattern of white and dark streaks across its wings. They are found in open areas such as meadows and prairies, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Dotted Roadside-Skipper

A Dotted Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with dotted wings. They are found in open, grassy areas near roadways.

Eufala Skipper

The male Eufala Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches and is predominantly orange with black markings. The female is a bit smaller, with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They live in tropical areas and are attracted to flowers.

Fiery Skipper

A Fiery Skipper butterfly looks like a brightly coloured butterfly with a distinctive pattern of reddish-orange and black spots. They are usually found in open areas, such as meadows and fields, where they feed on flower nectar.

Funereal Duskywing

Funereal Duskywings are typically a dark brown or black with a paler underside. They are found in open areas with lots of wildflowers, such as meadows, prairies, and riverbanks.

Hermit Skipper

A Hermit Skipper butterfly is a small, dark butterfly with a distinctive pattern of black and white stripes on its wings. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are usually seen flying around in search of food.

Mary’s Giant-Skipper

The Mary’s Giant-Skipper butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3 inches. They are found in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and forest edges.

Meridian Duskywing

The Meridian Duskywing butterfly is a small, dark butterfly that is found in the Midwest and Northeast United States. It is a common visitor to gardens and other open areas.

Mournful Duskywing

Mournful Duskywings are a small to medium-sized butterfly that is typically dark brown with a dusky hue. They are found in open, grassy areas and are often seen flitting around in groups.

Northern Cloudywing

Northern Cloudywings have a wingspan of about 2″, are a light brown and have a “v” shaped marking on each wing. They are usually found in open areas with a lot of trees and are usually seen in the morning and at night.

Nysa Roadside-Skipper

A Nysa Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that lives in open areas near water. They are usually seen flying around in groups.

Orange Giant-Skipper

The Orange Giant-Skipper butterfly is a large butterfly that is found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are often found near water sources, such as streams and rivers. They are also known to inhabit gardens and other areas with lots of flowering plants.

Orange Skipperling

The Orange Skipperling butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about four inches. It is a warm-weather butterfly found in open habitats, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Pahaska Skipper

A Pahaska Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in the coastal sagebrush and grasslands of the Western United States and southern Canada. They are active during the day, and are attracted to light.

Sachem

The Sachem butterfly is a brightly coloured butterfly with a wingspan of up to two inches. They are found in forests and other wooded areas throughout North America.

Saltbush Sootywing

The Saltbush Sootywing butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly black with a yellow or orange band around each hindwing. Saltbush Sootywings live in dry areas with lots of salt bush and they are usually seen around the edges of saltbush plants.

Sleepy Duskywing

Sleepy Duskywings are a dark brown butterfly with a faint dusky border around the wings. They are found in dry open areas near streams and lakes.

Small Checkered-Skipper

The Small Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in the Appalachian Mountains.

Ursine Giant-Skipper

The Ursine Giant-Skipper butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly that is found in open, grassy areas throughout North America. They are usually seen flitting around flowers in search of nectar.

Viereck’s Skipper

A Viereck’s Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is a colorful butterfly with black markings on the wings. It is usually found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

White Checkered-Skipper

and identify some of the predators of this butterfly.

The White Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly found in open, grassy areas with scattered trees. They are preyed on by predators such as hawks and snakes.

Yucca Giant-Skipper

The Yucca Giant-Skipper butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to two inches. It is typically spotted with bands of dark brown, black, and yellow. The butterfly inhabits the desert regions of the western United States and northern Mexico.

Zilpa Longtail

The Zilpa Longtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. The wings are bright orange with black stripes and a black band near the tips of the wings. The habitat of a Zilpa Longtail butterfly is tropical rainforest.

White and Sulphur Butterflies in Pecos County, Texas

Checkered White

A Checkered White butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. The wings are covered in a series of white, checkered spots. They are found in open, sunny areas throughout the United States and in parts of Central and South America. They are attracted to flowers, but can also be found in meadows, parks, and other areas with lots of wildflowers.

Dainty Sulphur

The Dainty Sulphur butterfly is a small, delicate looking butterfly that is often seen flitting around in beautiful butterfly habitats such as meadows and gardens.

Little Yellow

The Little Yellow butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly yellow with black markings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, like meadows, prairies, and forests.

Lyside Sulphur

A Lyside Sulphur butterfly is typically a black and yellow butterfly with a long tail. They are found in subtropical and tropical climates, and typically feed on nectar.

Orange Sulphur

The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a small, brightly-colored butterfly found throughout much of North America. It is common in open habitats, such as fields, meadows, and woods.

Sleepy Orange

A Sleepy Orange butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about three inches. They are found in the tropical areas of North America. They are usually found in open areas such as fields and gardens.

Southern Dogface

The Southern Dogface butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a white spot on its wing. They are found in open, grassy areas in the southern United States.

Tailed Orange

A Tailed Orange butterfly has a long tail and is light brown with a reddish-orange stripe running down its middle. They live in forests and often perch on high tree branches.

That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Pecos County, Texas. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Texas? We have lists for each of the 254 counties in the state.