Butterflies in Prince George’s County, Maryland

There are 105 species of butterflies you can find in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Prince George’s County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:


Brush-footed Butterflies in Prince George’s County, Maryland

‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple

The Astyanax Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the United States. It has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. The butterfly is light purple with a red spot on each wing. It is found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and is attracted to flowering plants.

American Lady

The American Lady butterfly has a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are a light brown with a white spot on the outer edge of each wing. They are found in gardens, meadows, and other open areas throughout the North America.

American Snout

The American Snout butterfly is a small butterfly that has a pointed nose. It is found in open areas with lots of flowers.

Aphrodite Fritillary

The Aphrodite Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are usually light brown with a black spot on the front wings. They are found in open areas such as meadows, woodland, and prairies, as well as in parks and gardens.

Appalachian Brown

The Appalachian Brown butterfly is a large brown butterfly that can be found in mountainous areas. They are attracted to patches of wildflowers, and their habitat is usually near streams or rivers.

Baltimore Checkerspot

The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in many parts of the United States. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields and gardens.

Common Buckeye

A Common Buckeye butterfly is a small, brown and black butterfly that is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows and gardens.

Common Wood-Nymph

The Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that lives in wooded areas.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma butterflies are brown and have a white band on the wing. They live in the eastern part of North America.

Great Spangled Fritillary

The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with bright blue and yellow wings. They live in open areas with plenty of flowering plants, including blueberry and cranberry bushes.

Gulf Fritillary

The Gulf Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow body and black wings. They are found in the Gulf region of North America, where they live in open areas with lots of flowers.

Hackberry Emperor

The Hackberry Emperor butterfly has a bright blue wings and a black diamond on the front of its thorax. It lives in the forests of the eastern United States, where it feeds on nectar from Hackberry trees.

Little Wood-Satyr

The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in the forests of North America. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is a brightly-colored butterfly that is usually seen flying around in groups. It is usually found in areas with dense vegetation, such as understory trees.

Meadow Fritillary

The Meadow Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They have a creamy-white wings with a light brown band across the top. They are found in meadows and other open areas with lots of flowers.

Monarch

A Monarch butterfly has a wingspan of up to 3 1/2 inches. They are a beautiful blue and black with a yellow band across their wings. They are found in North America and are often seen flitting around flowers.

Mourning Cloak

The Mourning Cloak butterfly is a small, black and brown butterfly that often has a pattern of red and black spots on its wings. They are found in open habitats, such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Northern Pearly-eye

The Northern Pearly-eye butterfly has a bright yellow body with black spots on its wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Painted Lady

The Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange body and black wings. They live in dry areas such as scrub and chaparral, and are attracted to bright colors.

Pearl Crescent

A Pearl Crescent butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are found in the eastern half of the United States, and in the southern part of Canada. They are commonly found near flowers, but can also be found in forests.

Question Mark

A Question Mark butterfly is a small, black and yellow butterfly. They are most commonly found in open fields and meadows, but can also be found in forests and gardens. Question Mark butterflies are attracted to flowers with strong fragrance, such as jasmine and lavender.

Red Admiral

The Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about one foot. They are commonly found in warm, tropical areas, but can also be found in a variety of other habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens.

Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral

The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a distinctive red spot on each wing. They are found in open habitats such as forests, meadows, and fields.

Regal Fritillary

The Regal Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and black wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, like meadows and fields. They are usually found near water.

Silver-bordered Fritillary

The Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It lives in open, sunny areas, such as meadows and fields.

Silvery Checkerspot

The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly has a metallic blue and black wings with white bands across the wings. They are found in the dry forests of California, Oregon, and Nevada.

Tawny Emperor

The Tawny Emperor butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. The wings are a deep brown with a metallic sheen. The males are distinguished by their bright yellow forewings and the females are distinguished by their pale brown forewings. The butterflies prefer open, sunny areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens.

Variegated Fritillary

A Variegated Fritillary butterfly has a colorful wingspan and is found in open areas with lots of flowers. They prefer areas with lots of sunshine and are often seen near water.

Viceroy

A Viceroy butterfly is a brown and black butterfly with a white band across its wings. They live in forests and gardens across North America.


Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Prince George’s County, Maryland

American Copper

The American Copper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically seen flying around in open areas such as fields and meadows. They are usually found in areas with lots of flowers, as they feed on nectar.

Banded Hairstreak

Banded Hairstreak butterflies are usually brightly colored with bands of different colors running down their wings. They are found in open habitats like meadows, fields, and woodlands.

Bronze Copper

Bronze Copper butterflies are metallic blue with copper highlights. They live in open habitats with plenty of flowers.

Brown Elfin

The Brown Elfin butterfly is a small butterfly that is common in open forests and meadows. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are a dark brown with a light brown center. The butterfly is attracted to flowers, but its habitat is not well known.

Coral Hairstreak

A Coral Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright red, yellow, and black wings. They are found in warm, tropical habitats and are usually found near water.

Eastern Pine Elfin

Eastern Pine Elfin butterflies are brightly-colored butterflies with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in the eastern United States and Canada, where they live in forests.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

The Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly is a small, blue butterfly with a black tail. They live in open spaces, such as meadows and fields, and are attracted to flowers.

Edwards’ Hairstreak

The Edwards’ Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is mostly light brown, but has a white line running down the center of each wing. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Frosted Elfin

Frosted Elfin butterflies are small and have a frosty appearance. They are found in the mountains and forests of North America. They are also found in the Caribbean. Their habitat is cool and wet forests.

Gray Hairstreak

The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a small, delicate looking butterfly that can be found throughout most of North America. They are commonly found in open areas with lots of trees and flowers, but can also be found in urban areas. They are quite common, and are not considered to be threatened.

Great Purple Hairstreak

The Great Purple Hairstreak butterfly is a large butterfly with purple wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests. They are migratory butterflies and can be found in a variety of habitats, but prefer open areas.

Harvester

The Harvester butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in many different habitats. They can be found in many different parts of the world, but are most commonly found in North America. They are often seen hunting for flowers, and are very active flyers.

Henry’s Elfin

Henry’s Elfin butterflies are small, colorful butterflies that live in habitats such as meadows and forests. They are usually seen flying around near flowers.

Holly Azure

The Holly Azure butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are mainly found in the United States, but have been found in other parts of the world. They are usually found in open areas, such as fields and forests, but can also be found in gardens. They are usually attracted to light, but can also be found at night.

Juniper Hairstreak

The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly that is usually tan or light brown in color. They are found in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They like open areas with lots of vegetation, such as forests or meadows.

Oak Hairstreak

Oak Hairstreak butterflies look like a small, brown butterfly with a white spot on its wings. They are found in oak forests across North America. Their habitat is warm, humid forests where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Red-banded Hairstreak

A Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly is a brightly-colored butterfly that can be found in open, sunny areas such as fields, meadows, and forest edges. They are attracted to flowers, and are often seen perched on top of blooms.

Spring Azure

A Spring Azure butterfly has a bright blue wings and a yellow body. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Striped Hairstreak

A Striped Hairstreak butterfly has a wingspan of about 2-2.5 inches. They have a light brown body with a white stripe down the center of their wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Summer Azure

Summer Azure butterflies are brightly-colored butterflies with a wingspan of about two inches. They are found in open meadows, fields, and woodlands, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

White-M Hairstreak

A White-M Hairstreak butterfly looks like a small, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The habitat of a White-M Hairstreak butterfly is open, sunny areas with lots of flowering plants.


Metalmark Butterflies in Prince George’s County, Maryland

Little Metalmark

A Little Metalmark butterfly is bright metallic blue with black markings on its wings. It is found in the eastern United States, where it inhabits wetland habitats.


Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Prince George’s County, Maryland

Black Swallowtail

A Black Swallowtail butterfly has a black body with orange and black markings on its wings. They are found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are large, colorful butterflies that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and fields. They are fast flyers that are often seen chasing after flies in the air.

Giant Swallowtail

A Giant Swallowtail butterfly looks like a large, colorful butterfly with a long tail. They live in tropical forests and sometimes fly around urban areas.

Palamedes Swallowtail

A Palamedes Swallowtail butterfly has brown and black wings with a blue band across the middle of each wing. They are found in open habitats such as gardens and meadows.

Pipevine Swallowtail

Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies are colorful, with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are found in the eastern United States, from North Carolina to Florida, and in the Midwest, from Illinois to Iowa. They prefer open, sunny areas, such as meadows, forests, and prairies, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Spicebush Swallowtail

The Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, along rivers and streams, and in open areas near gardens. These butterflies are often seen flying around flowers, and their wings are decorated with colorful patterns.

Zebra Swallowtail

A Zebra Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with black and yellow stripes on its wings. They are usually found in open spaces such as fields, meadows, and deserts.


Skipper Butterflies in Prince George’s County, Maryland

Black Dash

A Black Dash butterfly is a black and white butterfly with a blue dash on its wings. They are found in the forests of North America.

Broad-winged Skipper

Broad-winged Skipper butterflies are beautiful and brightly-colored butterflies that live in open areas near water. They are usually seen flitting around near streams, ponds, or lakes.

Clouded Skipper

A Clouded Skipper butterfly is a pretty butterfly with a wingspan of about three inches. They are mostly blue, with a few white stripes down the middle of their wings. They live in shady areas near water, and are very active fliers.

Cobweb Skipper

A Cobweb Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches, is brown and black with many white markings, and lives in open areas such as fields and gardens.

Common Checkered-Skipper

The Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3 inches. The wings are a beautiful checkered pattern of black, white, and yellow. The butterfly lives in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Common Roadside-Skipper

The Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 3 inches. The wings are a light brown color with a few light spots. The butterflies live in open areas, such as fields and meadows, near roads.

Common Sootywing

The Common Sootywing butterfly is a small, brown butterfly. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is found in open, grassy areas throughout much of North America.

Crossline Skipper

The Crossline Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is commonly found in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and gardens. They are usually seen flitting around flowers looking for nectar.

Delaware Skipper

The Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly found in open areas with plenty of flowers. They are most common in the eastern United States, but can also be found in the west. They are usually found near streams and other bodies of water.

Dion Skipper

A Dion Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about one and a half inches. It is typically brown, but can have a variety of colors including yellow, orange, and red. They live in areas with a lot of grass and flowers.

Dreamy Duskywing

A dreamy duskywing butterfly is a beautiful, black and white butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in eastern North America, where they live in open woods and gardens.

Dun Skipper

A Dun Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. It is a dark brown and tan butterfly with black markings on the wings. It is found in open areas, such as meadows and forests, and is attracted to flowers.

Dusted Skipper

Dusted Skipper butterflies are small, brown butterflies with black markings on the wings. They live in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are usually found near flowers.

European Skipper

A European Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a long, narrow tail. They live in open spaces, such as meadows and fields, and prefer to feed on nectar from flowers.

Fiery Skipper

A Fiery Skipper butterfly is typically a bright orange or red color with black stripes on its wings. They often reside in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields and meadows.

Golden Banded-Skipper

The Golden Banded-Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in warm climates throughout North America. They are typically found near water, in gardens or open fields. They are active during the day, and fly quickly around their territory.

Hayhurst’s Scallopwing

The Hayhurst’s Scallopwing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a very dark brown color and the outer edges are brightly striped with white. The butterfly is found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and forests.

Hoary Edge

The Hoary Edge butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The butterfly is mostly white, with a light gray or black border around each wing. The butterfly is found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, parks, and gardens.

Hobomok Skipper

The Hobomok Skipper butterfly has a brown and orange wings and a black stripe on the wing. They live in open areas, such as meadows and fields.

Horace’s Duskywing

The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is typically a dark brown or black color with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are commonly found in open areas near streams and lakes, but can also be found in more rural areas. They are attracted to light, so they are commonly found near window screens or porch lights.

Juvenal’s Duskywing

The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is dark brown with a few light spots on the wings. They are found in open, grassy areas and gardens.

Least Skipper

The Least Skipper butterfly is a small, delicate looking butterfly. It is typically a light brown or tan with a dark brown band across its wings. The butterfly is most commonly found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and gardens.

Leonard’s Skipper

The Leonard’s Skipper butterfly is a small, brown and white butterfly with a wingspan of about one inch. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and woods.

Little Glassywing

The Little Glassywing butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is mostly light brown, with a few scattered white spots on the wings. It is found in open areas near water, such as meadows and fields.

Long-tailed Skipper

The Long-tailed Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is usually seen flying around near water. They have a wingspan of about 1.5 inches and are mostly blue, with a white tail. They are found in warm climates, and are often seen in gardens or near bodies of water.

Mulberry Wing

A Mulberry Wing butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of about 2-3 inches. The wings are a bright silk blue and the underside of the wings is a creamy white. The butterfly is most commonly found in open woodlands and prairies, but can also be found in urban areas. They are attracted to flowers, but are also known to feed on nectar from other plants.

Northern Broken-Dash

The Northern Broken-Dash butterfly is a small butterfly with a broken dash on the forewing. They are found in northern forests and prairies.

Northern Cloudywing

Northern Cloudywings are a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the North American forests. They are usually light blue or violet with darker wings. They are usually found near water, and their habitat includes oak, birch, and maple forests.

Ocola Skipper

The Ocola Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is found in open habitats, such as prairies, fields, and meadows.

Peck’s Skipper

The Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is light brown with a white line down the middle of each wing. The butterfly lives in open areas such as fields, meadows, and gardens.

Sachem

The Sachem butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are mostly black with a yellow and red band across the wings. They are found in primary and secondary forests in the eastern US.

Silver-spotted Skipper

The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a brightly colored butterfly with a spotted pattern on its wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and pastures.

Sleepy Duskywing

A Sleepy Duskywing butterfly is typically dark brown with a hint of purple, and has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in open woodland, fields, and gardens, where they lay their eggs on the undersides of leaves.

Southern Broken-Dash

The Southern Broken-Dash butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with broken markings on its wings. It lives in open, grassy areas with scattered trees.

Southern Cloudywing

The Southern Cloudywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the southern United States. They are typically seen in cloudy weather, and prefer open areas with a lot of trees and flowers.

Swarthy Skipper

A Swarthy Skipper butterfly has a light brown body and wings with black bands. They are found in humid areas, such as swamps and along rivers.

Tawny-edged Skipper

The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically brown and white with a yellow or tawny edge. They are found in open areas such as prairies, meadows, and fields.

Wild Indigo Duskywing

Wild Indigo Duskywings are large, dark butterflies with a dusky stripe down their back. They live in the forested areas of North America, but are also found in gardens and parks. They are active during the day, and feed on nectar from flowers.

Zabulon Skipper

The Zabulon Skipper butterfly is a small, yellow butterfly. It has a wingspan of about 1 inch. It is found in open, grassy areas in mountainous regions.


White and Sulphur Butterflies in Prince George’s County, Maryland

Cabbage White

A Cabbage White butterfly is a small, delicate looking butterfly that is found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and hedgerows. They are attracted to flowers, and can be found during the day flying around looking for nectar.

Checkered White

The Checkered White butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of around 1.5 inches. Its wings are a checkered white and black, with black and white stripes. The butterfly lives in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and is attracted to flowers.

Clouded Sulphur

A Clouded Sulphur butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are mostly blue with a light blue and white pattern on their wings. They are found in moist woods and gardens.

Cloudless Sulphur

A Cloudless Sulphur butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are mostly bright yellow with a few black spots. They are found in open areas with a lot of bushes and trees.

Dainty Sulphur

The Dainty Sulphur butterfly is a small, delicate-looking butterfly with a yellow and black wings. It is found in open, sunny areas near streams and ponds.

Falcate Orangetip

The Falcate Orangetip butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a long tail. The habitat of the Falcate Orangetip butterfly is tropical forests.

Little Yellow

The Little Yellow butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that is mostly yellow and has small black spots on its wings. They live in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to flowers.

Orange Sulphur

The Orange Sulphur butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches and a bright orange body. They are found in the eastern and central United States, as well as in parts of Mexico. They live in open areas with plenty of grass, flowers, and milkweed.

Sleepy Orange

A Sleepy Orange butterfly has a yellow and orange wings and body. They live in open areas with lots of flowers.


That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Maryland? We have lists for each of the 24 counties in the state.