Butterflies in Polk County, Texas

There are 79 species of butterflies you can find in Polk County, Texas. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Polk County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:


Brush-footed Butterflies in Polk County, Texas

‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple

The ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with striking red spots on its wings. They are typically found in open areas such as meadows, prairies, and forest edges, where they feed on flowers.

American Lady

The American Lady butterfly is a colorful butterfly that can be seen in many areas of North America. They are commonly found near water sources such as rivers, lakes, and ponds.

American Snout

The American Snout butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a pointed nose and a black stripe down its back. It is found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and is attracted to nectar sources.

Carolina Satyr

The Carolina Satyr butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a bright pink band on its wings. They are found in the southeastern United States, where they inhabit open forests and woodlands.

Common Buckeye

The Common Buckeye butterfly is a dark brown and black butterfly with a white chest. They are found in open forests and woodlands. They like to feed on nectar from flowers.

Creole Pearly-eye

The Creole Pearly-eye butterfly is a colorful butterfly found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. They are usually found near streams and rivers where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma butterflies are monarch butterflies that are orange and black with a white band around their wings. They live in forests and gardens across North America.

Gemmed Satyr

A Gemmed Satyr butterfly has colorful wings with a pattern of triangles and diamonds. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, like meadows and fields.

Goatweed Leafwing

A Goatweed Leafwing butterfly has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. It has a green body and a white wing margin. The butterfly lives in wet areas, such as marshes and streams, and is attracted to flower nectar.

Gulf Fritillary

The Gulf Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the Gulf region. They have a light tan body with black markings and a bright orange collar around their neck. They love to live in open areas such as prairies, fields, and woodland.

Hackberry Emperor

The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. It is a common sight in the United States and can be found in a wide variety of habitats, from open fields to forests. These butterflies are attracted to flowers, so they are usually spotted near gardens or fields with flowering plants.

Little Wood-Satyr

The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically brown and has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The butterfly is found in temperate areas of North America, Europe and Asia. The butterfly is most commonly found in forests, but can also be found in gardens and other open areas.

Monarch

The Monarch butterfly is a bright orange and black butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3.5 inches. They are found in North America, from the eastern seaboard west to the Great Lakes region, and south to Florida and Texas. They are attracted to the colors of flower nectar and prefer open spaces with lots of flowers. They live in colonies of up to 500 individuals and feed on flower nectar.

Mourning Cloak

A Mourning Cloak butterfly has a wingspan of about one and a half inches. It has a light brown body and a dark brown wings. It is usually found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Painted Lady

The Painted Lady butterfly has a light brown and yellow wings. They are found in open areas such as gardens, parks, and roadsides.

Pearl Crescent

The Pearl Crescent butterfly is a delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly is predominately light green with a purple sheen. They are found in open woods and meadows where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Phaon Crescent

The Phaon Crescent butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The wings are a beautiful light blue with a purple-black border. They are found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are usually found near water and in dense forests.

Question Mark

The Question Mark butterfly is a small, dark brown butterfly with a white dot on its forewing. They are found in the eastern United States and Canada, and are very common in open areas with lots of flowers.

Red Admiral

The Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. The butterfly is mostly red with a few black spots on its wings. The butterfly is found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The habitat of the Red Admiral butterfly is dense forests.

Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral

The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly found in the United States and Canada. They are typically found in open, sunny areas with plenty of nectar sources, such as fields, meadows, and gardens.

Silvery Checkerspot

The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open areas with lots of flowers. They are usually seen in the early morning or late afternoon.

Southern Pearly-eye

The Southern Pearly-eye butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It is typically found in open areas with plenty of nectar sources, such as meadows, fields, and woodlands.

Variegated Fritillary

The Variegated Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. They are usually found in open areas with some kind of flowers and are usually seen in the morning or late afternoon.

Viceroy

The Viceroy butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3 inches. They are mostly black with a metallic sheen and a blue-green eye spot. They are found in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, including Central and South America. They are often found near water, in forested areas, or on farms.


Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Polk County, Texas

Banded Hairstreak

The Banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens. They are often seen flitting around flowers, and their wings are adorned with colorful bands.

Dusky-blue Groundstreak

The Dusky-blue Groundstreak is a medium-sized butterfly with a blue and brown wings. They are found in open woods and meadows, but can also be found near streams.

Eastern Pine Elfin

The Eastern Pine Elfin butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with light brown wings and a dark brown and purple hindwing. They are found in the eastern United States, including New England and the Mid-Atlantic. They prefer open and deciduous woods with plenty of flowers.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies are typically blue, with black tails. They live in open habitats, such as meadows, pastures, and forest edges.

Frosted Elfin

The Frosted Elfin butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in the United States. It is a member of the Lepidoptera family, and its wings are covered in small, frosty scales. The Frosted Elfin butterfly lives in open, grassy areas, and is often seen flitting around flowers.

Gray Hairstreak

Gray Hairstreak butterflies are iridescent blue with a white pattern on their wings. They live in open, sunny areas with plenty of nectar sources.

Harvester

Harvester butterflies are brightly-colored butterflies that live in open, grassy areas. They are usually seen flitting around flowers or going after insects.

Henry’s Elfin

The Henry’s Elfin butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in the United States and parts of Canada. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, woodlands, and gardens. They are also found near streams and water sources.

Oak Hairstreak

A Oak Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful, brightly coloured butterfly that can be found in oak forests. They are active during the day, and feed on nectar from flowers.

Red-banded Hairstreak

The Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly is a brightly-colored butterfly that is usually seen flitting around flowers. They live in open spaces, such as meadows and fields, and are usually found near water.

Spring Azure

A Spring Azure butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are usually found in open spaces, such as fields or meadows, but can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests and suburban areas.

Summer Azure

A Summer Azure butterfly is a blue and green butterfly that is found in open areas, such as meadows and fields. They are attracted to flowers, especially daisies.

Western Pygmy-Blue

A Western Pygmy-Blue butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that can be found in open, grassy areas across North America. They are usually found near water, and often feed on nectar from flowers.


Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Polk County, Texas

Black Swallowtail

The Black Swallowtail butterfly is dark brown with a yellow band across its wings. It lives in open areas, such as meadows and forests, and is attracted to flowers.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a black body and white wings. They are common in moist woodlands and gardens, but can also be found in open fields and meadows.

Giant Swallowtail

A Giant Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful insect with a wingspan of up to three inches. It is mostly black with white spots and stripes. It is found in tropical forests and can be found flying around flowers.

Palamedes Swallowtail

The Palamedes Swallowtail butterfly looks like a large, colorful butterfly with a long tail. They are found in wet forests and other areas with plenty of nectar and larval food sources.

Pipevine Swallowtail

A Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly has a black and orange wings. They live in the forests of North America.

Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies are typically blue or black with white markings on their wings. They are found in open areas with a lot of Spicebush trees, and can be seen flying around in the early morning and late afternoon.

Zebra Swallowtail

Zebra Swallowtail butterflies are beautiful and colorful butterflies. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and prairies, where they can find nectar and pollen.


Skipper Butterflies in Polk County, Texas

Clouded Skipper

The Clouded Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically tan or light brown with darker markings. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The Clouded Skipper butterfly lives in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Common Checkered-Skipper

The Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly brown and has a pattern of white and black squares on its wings. They live in meadows and prairies, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Common Roadside-Skipper

The Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that frequents open areas near roadways. They prefer to live in woodlands and shrubbery, but can also be found in urban areas.

Confused Cloudywing

A Confused Cloudywing butterfly is a brightly colored butterfly with a clouded wingspan. They are common in open areas with a lot of flowers, such as meadows and fields. They are also found in a variety of habitats near water, such as marshes and riparian areas.

Delaware Skipper

The Delaware Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches, and is light brown with darker brown markings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowering plants, and often perch on the tips of thorns.

Dun Skipper

The Dun Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open areas near woods, meadows, and marshes. They are often seen flitting around flowers.

Dusky Roadside-Skipper

The Dusky Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a migratory butterfly that can be found throughout North America. They are typically found near the edge of forests and other wooded areas.

False Duskywing

False Duskywings are small, brown butterflies with a pale band across the wings. They are found in grasslands and meadows, and are often seen feeding on nectar from flowers.

Fiery Skipper

A Fiery Skipper butterfly is typically a bright orange or red color with black markings on the wings. They are usually found in warm climates, and often inhabit dry, open areas with lots of flowering plants.

Funereal Duskywing

The Funereal Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a speckled pattern. It is found in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests.

Hoary Edge

A Hoary Edge butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches and is predominantly black with a white band across the middle of the wings. They are found in the Appalachian Mountains and the Ozarks. They live in dense forests with lots of moisture and the larva feeds on willow and birch trees.

Horace’s Duskywing

A Horace’s Duskywing butterfly has a dusky brown body and wingspan. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as prairies, meadows, and forests.

Juvenal’s Duskywing

A Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly looks like a dark brown butterfly with a black band across its wings. It is found in open areas, such as meadows and fields, and is usually found near water.

Least Skipper

The Least Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly found in grasslands and open woodlands. They are generally found near bodies of water, where they may be seen nectar gathering.

Northern Broken-Dash

Northern Broken-Dash butterflies are a beautiful, colorful butterfly that can be found in the woodlands and meadows of the north. They are usually seen flying around near flowers or other butterfly habitats.

Northern Cloudywing

Northern Cloudywing butterflies are typically dark brown, with a white band across their wings. They are found in forested areas and may be seen flying around flowers.

Ocola Skipper

The Ocola Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is usually green or blue in color. They are usually seen flying around near water sources, such as ponds, streams, and lakes. They are usually found in open areas, but can also be found in forests.

Sachem

A Sachem butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The habitat of a Sachem butterfly is a wide variety of open, wooded areas, including forests and meadows.

Silver-spotted Skipper

The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with silver spots on its wings. They live in dry, open areas with lots of flowers.

Southern Broken-Dash

The Southern Broken-Dash butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with white markings on the wings. They are found in the southern United States, and their habitat is open fields and forest.

Southern Skipperling

The Southern Skipperling butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and woodland. They are usually seen flying around among the flowers during the day.

Swarthy Skipper

A Swarthy Skipper butterfly looks like a small, black and brown butterfly with orange markings on the wings. They are found in open, grassy areas throughout North America.

Tropical Checkered-Skipper

A Tropical Checkered-Skipper butterfly is typically a small butterfly with a brightly-colored wings. They are usually found in tropical rainforests, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Whirlabout

The Whirlabout butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that lives in open, humid areas near water. They are often seen flying around flowers.

Wild Indigo Duskywing

The Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly is a black and white butterfly with a dusky blue band across its wings. They are found in open habitats with lots of sunshine and flowers.

Yehl Skipper

A Yehl Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the forests of North America. It has a wingspan of about one and a half inches. The butterfly has a purple and yellow wings and a black body. The butterfly is found in the forests of the eastern United States and Canada.


White and Sulphur Butterflies in Polk County, Texas

Cabbage White

The Cabbage White butterfly is a small, delicate looking butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are primarily found in the wild in the eastern and central United States, but have been introduced to other parts of the world. They are found in open areas with large populations of wildflowers, such as meadows, woodlands, and fields.

Checkered White

The Checkered White butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to two inches. Its wings are checkered white and black, with white spots on the wings. It is found in both open and closed habitats, including fields, meadows, and forests.

Cloudless Sulphur

A Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. They have a wingspan of about 2 inches and a bright orangey-yellow wings. They are found in open areas with lots of sunlight, such as fields and meadows.

Dainty Sulphur

Dainty Sulphur butterflies are small, delicate creatures with bright colors and a wingspan of just a few inches. They live in open, sunny areas near water, and feed on nectar from flowers.

Falcate Orangetip

The Falcate Orangetip butterfly has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches and has bright orange wings that are crossed by black stripes. They live in tropical areas, typically near the water. They feed on nectar from flowers.

Large Orange Sulphur

The Large Orange Sulphur butterfly is a large, orange butterfly with black markings on its wings. They live in open habitats with plenty of flowers.

Little Yellow

A Little Yellow butterfly is typically a bright yellow color with black markings on the wings. They are found in gardens and other warm, sunny areas.

Orange Sulphur

The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically brown and orange in color. The habitat of this butterfly is in tropical forests.

Sleepy Orange

A Sleepy Orange butterfly is a small, orange butterfly with a wingspan of about 1 1/4 inches. They are found in open areas near streams and ponds, and in habitats with a lot of flowering plants.


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