There are 87 species of butterflies you can find in Penobscot County, Maine. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Penobscot County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:
Brush-footed Butterflies in Penobscot County, Maine
American Lady
The American Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a creamy white with a light blue or purple pattern. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and prairies.
American Snout
The American Snout butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a pointed snout. It is found in woodlands and prairies throughout the United States.
Aphrodite Fritillary
Aphrodite Fritillary butterflies are brightly colored and have wings that are striped with light and dark colors. They live in the forests of the eastern United States, and their wings are specially adapted to flying in the trees.
Appalachian Brown
The Appalachian Brown butterfly is a brown and black butterfly. They are found in the Appalachian Mountains. They prefer open areas, such as meadows and forest edges.
Atlantis Fritillary
The Atlantis Fritillary butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The butterfly is usually seen perched on a leaf, fluttering its wings rapidly.
Baltimore Checkerspot
The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a checkerboard pattern on its wings. They are found in the Eastern United States, mostly in the Appalachian Mountains. They like warm, sunny areas with lots of flowers.
Bog Fritillary
A Bog Fritillary butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in open, moist areas near bogs and ponds.
Common Buckeye
The Common Buckeye butterfly is a beautiful light brown butterfly with a yellow band across the wings. They are found in many different habitats, from forests to prairies.
Common Ringlet
The Common Ringlet butterfly (Euploea ringlet) is a medium-sized butterfly that is typically orange or yellow with black markings on its wings. These butterflies live in moist habitats such as meadows, streams, and marshes.
Common Wood-Nymph
The Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically brown and has a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in open areas such as forests and meadows, and are often seen fluttering around flowers.
Compton Tortoiseshell
The Compton Tortoiseshell butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open, sunny areas near streams and other wet areas. They are common in the eastern United States, but are also found in the western United States.
Eastern Comma
The Eastern Comma butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are usually yellow or orange with black markings and have a comma-shaped symbol on their wings. They live in open areas such as fields and forests, and are attracted to nectar and flowers.
Eyed Brown
Eyed Brown butterflies are medium-sized butterflies with brown wings and brown eyes. They are common in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Gray Comma
The Gray Comma butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The butterfly is mainly gray, with a white comma on the wing. The butterfly is found in the eastern United States, from North Carolina to New Jersey. The butterfly is most common in open woods and fields, but can also be found in gardens and open fields.
Great Spangled Fritillary
A Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly has a bright blue-green wingspan, and a yellow and black band on each wing. They are found in open fields and meadows, and in forested areas near streams.
Green Comma
The Green Comma butterfly is a small brown and green butterfly found in North America. It is found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and is usually seen flying around during the day.
Harris’ Checkerspot
The Harris’ Checkerspot butterfly is a metallic blue butterfly with a white stripe down its center. They are found in the Western US, Mexico, and Central America. They like to live in open, sunny areas with flowers.
Hoary Comma
A Hoary Comma butterfly looks like a large, brown butterfly. It is found in open, grassy areas, such as meadows and pastures.
Jutta Arctic
A Jutta Arctic butterfly is a large butterfly that has a wingspan of up to 2.5 inches. The butterfly is typically light brown and has a black band around the middle of its wings. The butterfly is found in Arctic tundra and subarctic regions.
Little Wood-Satyr
The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is a small brown and white butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in the eastern United States, from Florida to New England, and in the Midwest. They are mostly found in moist woods, but can also be found in open fields.
Meadow Fritillary
The Meadow Fritillary butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1-1/2 inches. It is a brightly-colored butterfly with a wingspan of about 1-1/2 inches. The habitat of the Meadow Fritillary butterfly is meadows and pastures.
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
and give some facts about the butterfly
The Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dark brown and yellow wings. They are found in the United States, Mexico and Central America. They live in tropical forests.
Monarch
Monarch butterflies are beautiful insects with a wingspan of up to 3 inches. They are the largest butterflies in North America and can be found in many different habitats, from the forests of the eastern United States to the deserts of western Mexico. They are attracted to flowers, and are particularly fond of milkweed plants.
Mourning Cloak
A Mourning Cloak butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches and is mostly black with a yellow band across the middle. They live in humid forests and often feed on nectar from flowering plants.
Northern Crescent
The Northern Crescent butterfly is a small brown and white butterfly that lives in meadows, prairies, and other open areas near wetlands.
Northern Pearly-eye
A Northern Pearly-eye butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. They are usually found in open woods and meadows, but have been known to venture into cities. They are usually active during the morning and late afternoon, but can be seen flying at any time of day.
Painted Lady
A Painted Lady butterfly is typically a bright orange or yellow color with a black border around its wings. They are most commonly found in open areas such as meadows, fields, or forests, but can also be found in urban areas. Painted Lady butterflies are attracted to flowers, so they are commonly found near flowers.
Pearl Crescent
A Pearl Crescent butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a iridescent sheen on its wings. It is often seen near bodies of water, such as a lake or river. This butterfly is found throughout the United States, but is particularly common in the Midwest and Northeast. The butterfly’s habitat is often dense vegetation, where it can find nectar and fruit.
Question Mark
A Question Mark butterfly is typically a light brown and has a dark border around its wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Red Admiral
A Red Admiral butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3 inches. They are found throughout much of North America, but are especially common in the eastern United States. They are usually found in open areas with plenty of flowers, but can also be found in forests.
Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral
The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright red patch on the upper hindwing and a white band running along the underside of its wings. These butterflies are found in open, grassy areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, or forest edges.
Satyr Comma
The Satyr Comma butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a comma-shaped wingspan. They are usually found in open habitats with plenty of flowers to feed on.
Silver-bordered Fritillary
The Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are a metallic silver color with a narrow, silver-colored border. The butterfly is commonly found in open, sun-drenched areas such as meadows, pastures, and woodlands.
Silvery Checkerspot
The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen. They are usually found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and woods.
Viceroy
A Viceroy butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to two feet. They are predominantly black, with a large yellow patch on their wings. They live in tropical rainforests, and feed on nectar from flowers.
White Admiral
The White Admiral butterfly is a large butterfly that is predominantly white. It is found in tropical and subtropical regions. The habitat of a White Admiral butterfly includes forests, jungles, and other areas with a lot of plants and flowers.
Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Penobscot County, Maine
Acadian Hairstreak
The Acadian Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the southern United States. They are commonly found in open, grassy areas with lots of flowers.
American Copper
The American Copper butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is native to North America. It is a medium-sized butterfly that has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. The American Copper butterfly is a member of the family Lycaenidae and is known for its metallic blue and green wings. It is typically found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, but can also be found in woodlands and forests.
Bog Copper
The Bog Copper butterfly is a large brown butterfly with a black band across its wings. They are found in wetlands and wet meadows, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Bog Elfin
The Bog Elfin butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1 inch. It has a brown body with a distinctive pattern of white spots. The butterfly lives in temperate forests and moist meadows.
Bronze Copper
The Bronze Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen to its wings. It lives in open areas with lots of sunlight, such as meadows and parks.
Brown Elfin
A Brown Elfin butterfly has a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are typically light brown, but can have darker patches on their wings. They are common in open areas with a lot of grass, such as meadows and prairies.
Dorcas Copper
The Dorcas Copper butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a brown body and a blue wingspan. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as meadows and prairies.
Early Hairstreak
The Early Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly that has a characteristic hairstreak on its hindwing. This butterfly is found in open forests and meadows, where it feeds on nectar from flowers.
Eastern Pine Elfin
Eastern Pine Elfin butterflies are small and colorful with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are found in the eastern United States, where they live in pine forests.
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies are bright blue and have yellow markings on their wings. They live in open, grassy areas with a few trees.
Edwards’ Hairstreak
The Edwards’ Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open areas such as forests, meadows, and fields. They are attracted to light, so they are usually found near windows or light sources.
Gray Hairstreak
The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly that is usually found in open spaces, such as meadows and forests. They are usually seen flying around in groups and are known to be attracted to light.
Greenish Blue
The Greenish Blue butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly blue, but has a greenish tinge to it. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, and are most commonly found in North America.
Harvester
A Harvester butterfly is typically a beautiful orange and black butterfly. They live in open areas such as grasslands, meadows, and forests.
Henry’s Elfin
The Henry’s Elfin butterfly is a small, brightly-colored butterfly that is found in the United States and Canada. The butterfly’s wings are bright blue with a yellow band across the top. The butterfly is found in meadows, woods, and other open areas.
Hoary Elfin
A Hoary Elfin butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are slightly metallic in color and have a metallic sheen. They are typically found in moist forests and other areas with high levels of humidity.
Northern Azure
Northern Azure butterflies look like blue butterflies with a white stripe down the center of their wings. They live in habitats with lots of flowering plants, such as meadows, woods, and gardens.
Silvery Blue
The Silvery Blue butterfly is a beautiful and delicate butterfly. It has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is found in open, sunny areas, such as parks, meadows, and gardens.
Spring Azure
The Spring Azure butterfly is a blue and white butterfly that lives in open areas with plenty of flowers. It is usually found in meadows, fields, and forests.
Striped Hairstreak
A Striped Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a colorful wingspan. They are typically found in open spaces such as parks, forests, and gardens, but can also be found in more urban areas. They are usually active during the day, but can be seen flying around at night as well. Their habitat is typically a variety of open areas with plenty of flowers and trees to feed on.
Summer Azure
A Summer Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue and white butterfly. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and woods.
Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Penobscot County, Maine
Black Swallowtail
A Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with black wings and a yellow tail. They are found in open, sunny areas, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a pattern of black, yellow, and orange. They are found in open habitats with lots of flowers.
Skipper Butterflies in Penobscot County, Maine
Arctic Skipper
The Arctic Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in cold climates. They are usually found near water, such as rivers or lakes.
Common Branded Skipper
A Common Branded Skipper butterfly is a small, delicate-looking butterfly with a brightly coloured wingspan. They are typically found in open, sunny habitats such as meadows, fields, and gardens, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Common Roadside-Skipper
The Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a wingspan of about 2-3 inches. They are found in open, grassy areas near roadsides and other disturbed areas. They are attracted to light and fly quickly around the area.
Crossline Skipper
The Crossline Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a dark brown and white wings. They are found in open, grassy areas in the summertime.
Delaware Skipper
A Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are a dark brown with a lighter brown band on the wings. They are most commonly found in open areas such as fields and meadows, but can also be found in forests.
Dreamy Duskywing
The Dreamy Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a white band across the middle of its wings. They live in forests and other wooded areas.
Dun Skipper
The Dun Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests and open fields.
European Skipper
The European Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is dark brown with a yellow band across the wings. They live near water sources, and often perch on flowers to drink.
Hobomok Skipper
The Hobomok Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a black and white wings. They are found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and prairies. They prefer to stay close to water sources such as streams, ponds, and lakes.
Indian Skipper
The Indian Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is brown and white. It has a wingspan of about 1-1.5 inches. It lives in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and sometimes flies near water.
Least Skipper
Least Skippers are small butterflies with narrow wings. They are usually light brown or tan, with a black band across the middle of their wings. They live in open habitats, such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Leonard’s Skipper
The Leonard’s Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a bright blue wingspan. They are common inhabitants of meadows, gardens, and other open areas in the United States and Canada. They are not found in forests.
Long Dash
A Long Dash butterfly has a wingspan of about two inches. The wings are a dark brown with lighter brown stripes. They are usually seen flitting around in open areas such as meadows or woods. They are usually found near water, where they can be found drinking or hunting.
Northern Broken-Dash
Northern Broken-Dash butterflies are the smallest butterflies in North America and have a wingspan of just over one inch. They are mostly green with black markings along the wings and tail. They live in open grasslands and prairies, and prefer areas with a lot of flower bud activity.
Northern Cloudywing
The Northern Cloudywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about three inches. It is found in both deciduous and coniferous forests across the eastern United States.
Peck’s Skipper
The Peck’s Skipper butterfly has a bright orange wing with black veins. The butterfly is found in open areas with lots of flowers.
Pepper and Salt Skipper
The Pepper and Salt Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically found near salt water. It has a brown body with light brown and white stripes. They are commonly found near the ocean or in salt marshes.
Silver-spotted Skipper
The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that has bright silver spots on its wings. They are found in open areas such as prairies, meadows, and woodlands.
Southern Cloudywing
The Southern Cloudywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the southern United States. They are usually found in open areas such as fields, pastures, and woodlands.
Tawny-edged Skipper
The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that has a reddish brown wings with a dark brown edge. They are found in open areas with lots of trees and bushes, and in areas with a lot of grass.
Two-spotted Skipper
The Two-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with brown and white wings. They are found in open areas near water, where they feed on nectar.
Wild Indigo Duskywing
The Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a dark indigo blue, with a faint dusky pattern. The butterfly is found in open habitats, such as meadows, woodlands, and fields, and is usually found in flocks.
White and Sulphur Butterflies in Penobscot County, Maine
Cabbage White
The Cabbage White butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It has a light brown body with a dark brown band across the wings. The butterflies live in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as bluebells and coneflowers.
Clouded Sulphur
A Clouded Sulphur butterfly has a black and yellow wings and a black body. They live in open areas with lots of flowers.
Little Yellow
A Little Yellow butterfly is small, has a yellow and brown body, and has black spots on its wings. They live in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Mustard White
A Mustard White butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow wings and a brown body. They are often found in open areas like meadows and fields, and fly around during the day.
Orange Sulphur
The Orange Sulphur butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a brightly colored butterfly that is usually seen flying around in open areas such as fields and meadows.
Pink-edged Sulphur
The Pink-edged Sulphur butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a bright pink wing edge. The habitat of this butterfly is open, grassy areas with some bushes.
That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Penobscot County, Maine. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Maine? We have lists for each of the 16 counties in the state.