Butterflies in Pinellas County, Florida

There are 111 species of butterflies you can find in Pinellas County, Florida. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Pinellas County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:


Brush-footed Butterflies in Pinellas County, Florida

‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple

The ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with striking red and purple markings. They are usually found in open, grassy areas, such as meadows and fields.

American Lady

The American Lady butterfly is one of the most common butterflies in North America. They usually have a yellow and black body with a wingspan of about one inch. They are most commonly found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests.

American Snout

A American Snout butterfly looks like a small, brown and white butterfly with a long, pointed nose. They live in coastal areas of the United States, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Carolina Satyr

The Carolina Satyr butterfly is typically a light brown or tan color, with a wingspan of about 1-1.5 inches. They are found in the southern United States, where they feed on nectar from flowering plants. They are usually found in open areas, such as forests or meadows, but can also be found in close proximity to human dwellings.

Common Buckeye

The Common Buckeye butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in many parts of North America. It is a member of the buckeye family, and its wings are a bright orange or yellow. The Common Buckeye butterfly is usually found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, but it can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, parks, and gardens.

Dingy Purplewing

Dingy Purplewings are a common butterfly in the eastern US. They are mostly found in forested areas, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Georgia Satyr

The Georgia Satyr butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is a beautiful butterfly with shades of light and dark brown. It is usually seen flying around in open areas such as fields, woods, and meadows.

Gulf Fritillary

The Gulf Fritillary butterfly is a small, pale butterfly with black and yellow stripes on its wings. They are found in open areas, such as meadows and grasslands, in the Gulf States of the United States.

Hackberry Emperor

The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the forests of North America. They are usually light brown and have a wingspan of about two inches. They are usually seen flying around in groups and are quite shy. The butterflies mostly live in the forests and are known to feed on the nectar of hackberry trees.

Julia Heliconian

The Julia Heliconian butterfly is a small delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is mostly blue with a few white markings. The butterfly lives in temperate regions of the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia. It is usually found in meadows, prairies, and other open areas with plenty of flowers.

Malachite

A Malachite butterfly has a dark blue or black body with a bright green and blue wings. They live in woodlands and forests, and eat flowers.

Mangrove Buckeye

A Mangrove Buckeye butterfly has a tan body with black borders, and a white spot on its wingtip. They live in coastal areas and wetlands where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Mimic

The Mimic butterfly is a small butterfly that ranges in color from black to brown. The habitat of the Mimic butterfly includes areas with dense vegetation.

Monarch

The Monarch butterfly is a brightly coloured butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3.5 inches (88 mm). They are found in forested areas across North America. They are the only species of butterfly that migrates.

Painted Lady

The Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found throughout North America. They are typically orange or yellow with black markings on their wings. They are attracted to open areas such as fields and gardens, where they can find nectar and pollen.

Pearl Crescent

A Pearl Crescent butterfly is a beautiful, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are usually pale yellow or white with a blue or purple sheen, and can be found in a variety of temperate and tropical habitats. They are often seen flitting about among the flowers in their habitat, and are very active and playful butterflies.

Phaon Crescent

The Phaon Crescent butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a bright blue wingspan. It is found in open, grassy areas in the eastern United States, and is most common in the Appalachian Mountains. The butterfly is attracted to light and is often seen flying around flowering plants.

Queen

Queen butterflies are beautiful creatures with bright colors and long wings. They live in habitats that include forests, meadows, and gardens.

Question Mark

The Question Mark butterfly is a small, brown and white butterfly. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The Question Mark butterfly is found in open, sunny areas throughout the United States.

Red Admiral

The Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful but deadly butterfly. It has a wingspan of about two and a half inches. The wings are bright red, with black markings on the wings. The butterfly lives in the temperate rainforests of Central and South America.

Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral

The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly. It is typically bright red with a white “spot” on its wings. The butterfly is found in open areas, such as fields, meadows, and gardens, where it feeds on nectar from flowers.

Ruddy Daggerwing

The Ruddy Daggerwing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is usually a dark brown or black with reddish-orange markings on the wings. It is found in the tropical forests of Central America and South America.

Soldier

A Soldier butterfly has a wingspan of about 3-4 inches, and is mostly brown with yellow and black markings. They live in all types of forests, but are especially common in moist woods.

Tawny Emperor

A Tawny Emperor butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of nearly three inches. They are commonly found in open areas near streams and rivers, and are often seen perched on tree branches. These butterflies are avid fliers and can be found traveling long distances across the landscape.

Variegated Fritillary

A Variegated Fritillary butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a variety of markings on its wings. They usually live in open, grassy areas, and are usually seen flying around during the day.

Viceroy

A Viceroy butterfly looks like a large, brightly-colored butterfly. They are found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, and are often seen feeding on nectar from flowering plants. Viceroy butterflies live in open habitats, such as savannahs, forests, and gardens.

White Peacock

A White Peacock butterfly has a wingspan of about 3 inches. The butterfly has a yellow and black wings with a pattern of white spots. The butterfly is found in tropical forests and woodlands.

Zebra Heliconian

A Zebra Heliconian butterfly is a colorful butterfly with black and white stripes. They live in tropical forests.


Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Pinellas County, Florida

Atala

A Atala butterfly is a delicate creature with a wingspan of around one inch. They are a dark brown with light brown markings and have a wingspan of around one inch. They are found in the tropical rainforest.

Banded Hairstreak

A Banded Hairstreak butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a colorful butterfly with bands of brown, yellow, and black. It is found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as dandelions and clover.

Cassius Blue

The Cassius Blue butterfly is often described as a blue with black markings. It is found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields, meadows, and parks.

Ceraunus Blue

A Ceraunus Blue butterfly is blue with black markings. They are found in open, rocky areas, meadows, and woodlands.

Eastern Pygmy-Blue

Eastern Pygmy-Blue butterflies are one of the smallest butterflies in North America. They are typically blue but can be variably colored. They are found in open habitats such as meadows, forests, and fields.

Fulvous Hairstreak

A Fulvous Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright purple body and wings. They are typically found in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, such as meadows and fields. They are also found in forests and woodlands.

Gray Hairstreak

The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found throughout the United States. They are often seen perched on trees and other high up places. They are also found in open areas such as fields and gardens.

Gray Ministreak

The Gray Ministreak butterfly is a small, gray butterfly found in the eastern United States. It is found in marshes, wet meadows, and other wetlands.

Henry’s Elfin

The Henry’s Elfin butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly with a wingspan of about one inch. They are usually found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and woodlands. They are usually seen flitting around in search of nectar.

Juniper Hairstreak

The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful orange and black butterfly that lives in open areas such as meadows, forest edges, and edges of parks.

Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak

and what foods it feeds on

The Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly that has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The butterfly has a green and brown body with black markings. The butterfly lives in scrubby areas with plenty of flowers to feed on. The butterfly feeds on nectar from flowers such as lupine, aster, and larkspur.

Oak Hairstreak

The Oak Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The wings are a light tan with brown markings. The butterfly is found in oak forests across the United States.

Red-banded Hairstreak

Red-banded Hairstreak butterflies look like the common hairstreak butterfly, but they have a red band across the top of their wings. They live in open, sunny areas, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Striped Hairstreak

A Striped Hairstreak butterfly has a brown body with a series of dark stripes on its wings. They are usually found in open areas such as fields, gardens, and forests, but can also be found in suburban areas. They feed on nectar from flowers.

Western Pygmy-Blue

The Western Pygmy-Blue butterfly is a small butterfly with a blue body and white wings. They are found in open areas, such as meadows and fields, and are usually found near flowers.

White-M Hairstreak

The White-M Hairstreak butterfly is a delicate, brightly-colored butterfly found in the eastern United States and Canada. Adult butterflies have a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are commonly seen flying around flowers in open, sunny areas. The habitat of the White-M Hairstreak butterfly includes meadows, fields, and forests.


Metalmark Butterflies in Pinellas County, Florida

Little Metalmark

A Little Metalmark butterfly is a small, metallic-looking butterfly. They are found in open habitats, such as meadows, fields, and forests.


Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Pinellas County, Florida

Black Swallowtail

The Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a black body and yellow wings. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, as well as in forests.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtails are large butterflies with a green body and black wings. They usually reside in open woods and gardens, but can also be found in urban areas. They feed on nectar from flower petals.

Giant Swallowtail

A Giant Swallowtail butterfly looks like a large, colorful butterfly. They are found in tropical forests and can be found near water sources.

Palamedes Swallowtail

The Palamedes Swallowtail butterfly is a brightly colored butterfly with a wingspan of about 4 inches. They are usually found in open habitats such as meadows, prairies, and forests.

Pipevine Swallowtail

Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies are a beautiful, black and orange butterfly with a distinctive swallowtail wingspan. They are common summer insects found in North America, Europe, and Asia. They are most commonly found in deciduous and mixed forests, but can also be found in other habitats such as grasslands and marshes.

Polydamas Swallowtail

The Polydamas Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and black wings. They are found in habitats that include forests, gardens, and meadows.

Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies inhabit forests, woodlands, and savannas. They are usually seen near spicebushes, where they feed on nectar.

Zebra Swallowtail

The Zebra Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful creature with black and white wings. They are found in open habitats such as prairies, meadows, and woodlands.


Skipper Butterflies in Pinellas County, Florida

Arogos Skipper

Arogos Skipper butterflies look like delicate creatures with bright colors and long wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Baracoa Skipper

The Baracoa Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are typically light brown with a few blue or purple markings. They are found in open woodlands and brushy areas, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Brazilian Skipper

The Brazilian Skipper butterfly is a small, blue butterfly with a yellow and black band across its wings. They are found in subtropical and tropical forests, and sometimes in gardens.

Byssus Skipper

This butterfly is brown with charcoal markings and has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is found in the eastern half of North America, from Nova Scotia to Florida. It prefers damp areas, such as meadows and stream banks, and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forest, prairie, and urban areas.

Clouded Skipper

A Clouded Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a member of the family Nymphalidae and is found in North America. They are usually found in open spaces, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to flowers.

Cofaqui Giant-Skipper

The Cofaqui Giant-Skipper butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of over two inches. They are found in the Andes of South America, where they feed on nectar from large flowers.

Common Checkered-Skipper

The Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly that can be found in meadows, prairies, and other open areas in central and eastern North America. They are attracted to flowers, but are also known to feed on nectar from other insects.

Confused Cloudywing

The Confused Cloudywing butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1 inch. It is a dark brown with a few lighter spots on its wings. It is found in open forests and meadows, and sometimes flies near water.

Delaware Skipper

A Delaware Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. They are typically found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Dorantes Longtail

The Dorantes Longtail butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. It is found in tropical forests and jungles.

Dotted Skipper

The Dotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that typically has a yellow or orange body with black spots on it. The butterflies are usually found near water sources, such as ponds, lakes, and rivers.

Dukes’ Skipper

A Dukes’ Skipper butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a bright blue wingspan. They are most commonly found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields and gardens. They are also found in areas with a lot of tall grasses.

Dusted Skipper

The Dusted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It has a light brown or tan wings with a series of black spots along the edges. The butterfly is common to find in open areas such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Eufala Skipper

The Eufala Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is usually seen flying around flowers. It has a bright green wings and a yellow waist. The habitat of the Eufala Skipper butterfly is warm, sunny areas.

Fiery Skipper

The Fiery Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are typically seen flying around flowers during the day. Their habitat is typically warm and sunny areas.

Hammock Skipper

The Hammock Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about one inch. The wings are a rich chocolate brown, with a light brown band near the base of the wings. The butterflies reside in hammocks, and are attracted to flowers near the canopy.

Horace’s Duskywing

The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a small butterfly with a dark brown body and wings. They are found in open woodlands and meadows, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Juvenal’s Duskywing

The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a dusky wingtip. It is found in the eastern United States and eastern Canada. The butterfly’s habitat is open areas with lots of tall grasses.

Least Skipper

A Least Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a yellow and black wings. They have a wingspan of about 1 inch. They are found in open areas such as meadows and fields.

Long-tailed Skipper

The Long-tailed Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are light brown with a dark brown band across the middle. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Mangrove Skipper

A Mangrove Skipper butterfly is typically a light brown or tan color with dark markings on the wings. They are found in tropical and subtropical areas, typically near mangroves.

Monk

Monk butterflies are typically light brown with dark spots, and have long tails. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are most active at dawn and dusk.

Neamathla Skipper

A Neamathla Skipper butterfly looks like a small, dark blue or black butterfly with a bright yellow tail. They are found in open habitats such as meadows, gardens, and parks.

Northern Broken-Dash

A Northern Broken-Dash butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It has a light brown body with dark brown markings. It lives in oak and hickory forests in the eastern United States.

Northern Cloudywing

Northern Cloudywing butterflies are typically a light blue color with darker blue spots and a white band on the hindwing. They are found in the northern US, Canada and northern Mexico. They prefer open woods and meadows, and are attracted to flowers.

Obscure Skipper

The Obscure Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically brown and has a series of dark markings on its wings. They prefer warm, humid environments, and are often seen flitting around flowers.

Ocola Skipper

A Ocola Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is a light brown butterfly with a yellow-orange band across each wing. It is usually found in open habitats, such as fields, meadows, and gardens.

Palatka Skipper

The Palatka Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with white spots on its wings. They are found in open woodland and scrub habitats.

Palmetto Skipper

The Palmetto Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is common in the southeastern United States. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The butterfly is mostly green, with a yellow band on the upper wing. It inhabits open areas, such as fields, woods, and gardens, where it feeds on nectar.

Sachem

A Sachem butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a purple underside. They are found in the eastern United States, where they live in open areas with plenty of flowers.

Salt Marsh Skipper

A Salt Marsh Skipper butterfly is a small, brightly-colored butterfly with a wingspan of just over two inches. They are found in salt marshes and other coastal habitats near the ocean. They feed on nectar from flowering plants.

Silver-spotted Skipper

The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with silver spots on its wings. They live in warm climates and are often seen flitting around flowers.

Sleepy Duskywing

The Sleepy Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that ranges in color from a dusky black to a dusky brown. They are typically found in forests and woodlands, but can also be found in gardens and parks.

Southern Broken-Dash

The Southern Broken-Dash butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the southern United States. The habitat of the Southern Broken-Dash butterfly is open fields, woodland, and gardens.

Southern Cloudywing

The Southern Cloudywing butterfly is a colorful butterfly found in the United States, Mexico, and Central America. They are typically found in open woodlands and pastures, but can also be found near streams and rivers. They are usually seen in flocks, and are attracted to flowers.

Southern Skipperling

The Southern Skipperling butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a yellow band across its wings. They live in the subtropical and tropical climates of the Southern United States.

Swarthy Skipper

The Swarthy Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a light orange or yellow patch on the upper wing. The caterpillar is a green and brown caterpillar that lives in the bark of trees.

Tawny-edged Skipper

The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a black border on the wings. They live in open spaces such as meadows, fields, and edges of forests.

Three-spotted Skipper

The Three-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with three spots on its wings. They live in warm, sunny areas with lots of flowery plants.

Tropical Checkered-Skipper

A Tropical Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a brightly colored butterfly with a checkerboard pattern on its wings. They live in warm, tropical climates and fly around in search of nectar.

Twin-spot Skipper

The Twin-spot Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a spotted pattern on its wings. They are found in temperate and tropical forests.

Whirlabout

Whirlabout butterflies are typically small and colorful. They have a wingspan of about three inches and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens.

White Checkered-Skipper

The White Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly that spends its life flying around in the sunshine. They are usually found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Yucca Giant-Skipper

Yucca Giant-Skipper butterflies live in the high desert regions of North America. They are typically found at elevations of 3,000 to 5,000 feet. They are often found near creeks and streams.

Zarucco Duskywing

The Zarucco Duskywing butterfly has a dark brown body with a light brown stripe down its spine. It is found in dry, open habitats with lots of flowering plants.


White and Sulphur Butterflies in Pinellas County, Florida

Barred Yellow

A Barred Yellow butterfly has a wingspan of about two inches. They are mostly found in open areas with lots of flowers, but can be found in other habitats as well. They are native to North America, but have been introduced to other parts of the world. They are very attracted to light and can be found perched on top of flowers.

Cabbage White

The Cabbage White butterfly has a wingspan of about 1-1/2 inches. It is a beautiful butterfly with a pale yellow and white wings. It is most commonly found in open areas near woods or grasslands.

Checkered White

A Checkered White butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is a common sight in gardens and meadows.

Cloudless Sulphur

The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a black body and yellow wings. They are found in open, sunny areas such as meadows and forests.

Dainty Sulphur

The Dainty Sulphur butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly black with yellow and orange stripes. They live in open forests and gardens.

Great Southern White

The Great Southern White butterfly is a large butterfly that is found in the south-central United States. It is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3.5 inches. The Great Southern White butterfly is a brightly coloured butterfly with a pink and yellow body. It is found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and prefers to fly during the day.

Large Orange Sulphur

The Large Orange Sulphur butterfly is a large butterfly with orange wings and a black border. The butterfly is found in open woodlands and meadows.

Little Yellow

A Little Yellow butterfly is small, has a yellow wings and body, and is found in areas with lots of flowers. They can be found in gardens, parks, and other areas with flowers.

Orange Sulphur

The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a brightly coloured butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The habitat of the Orange Sulphur butterfly is mainly deciduous and mixed woods, but can also be found in some open areas.

Orange-barred Sulphur

The Orange-barred Sulphur butterfly is a large butterfly, with a wingspan of up to 3 inches. The wings are dark orange with a narrow, yellow/green border. The butterfly is found in warm, dry areas throughout the southern United States.

Sleepy Orange

Sleepy Orange butterflies have a rusty brown body with a bright orange band across their wings. They live in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Southern Dogface

The Southern Dogface butterfly is a Butterfly that is native to the United States. This Butterfly is typically found in open spaces, such as fields and gardens. Southern Dogface Butterflies are also known to inhabit woodlands and forests.

Statira Sulphur

The Statira Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. The habitat of a Statira Sulphur butterfly is moist woodlands, forests, and parks.


That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Pinellas County, Florida. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Florida? We have lists for each of the 67 counties in the state.