There are 104 species of butterflies you can find in Providence County, Rhode Island. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Providence County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:
Brush-footed Butterflies in Providence County, Rhode Island
‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple
The Astyanax red-spotted purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. They are typically found in open forests, but can also be found in gardens and parks. They are generally quite shy and difficult to photograph, but are quite colorful and often attract attention when they are seen.
American Lady
The American Lady butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are a bright orange-yellow, and the butterfly has a black spot on each wing. The American Lady butterfly lives in open habitats, such as fields and gardens, but can also be found in urban areas.
Aphrodite Fritillary
Aphrodite Fritillary butterflies are mostly green and have a white band on their wings. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
Appalachian Brown
A Appalachian Brown butterfly has a wingspan of about 1-1/2 inches, and is primarily brown with a hint of green. They are found in forests and woodlands, and are attracted to nectar sources.
Atlantis Fritillary
Atlantis Fritillary butterflies have a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are a light brown with a black stripe running down their length. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, woodland, and gardens.
Baltimore Checkerspot
The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is a colorful butterfly that can be found in the eastern United States. They are often seen flying around flowers.
Common Buckeye
The Common Buckeye butterfly is a large, brown butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, grasslands, and parks. They are attracted to flowers, but can also be found drinking nectar from other plants.
Common Ringlet
The Common Ringlet butterfly is one of the most common butterflies in North America. They are usually found near water, and can be found near lakes, rivers, or ponds. They are also found in forests, but are not as common as they used to be.
Common Wood-Nymph
A Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are usually light brown or tan, with a few black markings on their wings. They are most commonly seen flying around trees and other wooded areas.
Compton Tortoiseshell
The Compton Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a brown body and a yellow and black striped wings. They live in warm, humid environments near water, often in forests or gardens.
Eastern Comma
The Eastern Comma butterfly is a small, black and white butterfly that can be found in open, sunny areas with plenty of flowers.
Eyed Brown
Eyed Brown butterflies are generally brown with a yellow or orange spot on the upper wing. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, including milkweed, corn, and clover.
Gray Comma
The Gray Comma butterfly has a wingspan of about two inches, and it is mostly gray with white markings. It is found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and sometimes in wooded areas.
Great Spangled Fritillary
The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a distinctive pattern of yellow and orange. They are found in open habitats, such as meadows and prairies, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Green Comma
The Green Comma butterfly has green and black wings with a white comma on the tail. They live in meadows, forests, and other areas with wildflowers.
Hackberry Emperor
The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the dry forests of the eastern United States. They are usually seen flying around in groups, looking for flowers to feed on.
Harris’ Checkerspot
The Harris’ Checkerspot butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a spotted wing pattern. They are found in open, sunny areas such as meadows and prairies.
Little Wood-Satyr
The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a white band on its wings. It lives in forests and is known to feed on nectar from flowering plants.
Meadow Fritillary
A Meadow Fritillary butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They live in meadows and other open areas with plenty of flowers to feed on.
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterflies are typically a light brown with a purple tinge. They are found in open areas, such as meadows and fields, as well as in forests and deciduous woods.
Monarch
Monarchs are beautiful creatures that can be found all over North America. They are typically light brown and have a wingspan of up to 3 feet. Monarchs prefer to live in open areas with lots of flowers, but they can also be found in forests.
Mourning Cloak
The Mourning Cloak butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of around 2.5 inches. It has a grayish brown body with a dark band across the middle of its wings. It is found in open woodlands and savannas, where it feeds on nectar and pollen.
Northern Crescent
Northern Crescent butterflies are typically light brown with a dark brown stripe down the center of their wings. They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens.
Northern Pearly-eye
A Northern Pearly-eye butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are mostly blue with a white trim and have a bright yellow spot on the wingtip. They are most often seen in open areas with lots of flowers, like meadows, but can also be found in gardens.
Painted Lady
The Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a brightly coloured wings. They are usually seen flying around flowers looking for nectar. They are usually found in warm, sunny areas.
Pearl Crescent
The Pearl Crescent butterfly is a brown and white butterfly with a yellow band across the middle of its wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.
Question Mark
The Question Mark butterfly is a small, black and white butterfly found in North America. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches.
Red Admiral
The Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright red body and wings. They are found in warm, dry habitats, such as deserts and scrub forests.
Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral
The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright red spot on each wing. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowery plants, such as gardens and parks.
Regal Fritillary
The Regal Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a brightly coloured wingspan. They are found in open areas such as meadows, woodlands and gardens, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Silver-bordered Fritillary
The Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright metallic sheen on its wings. It is found in open, sunny areas near streams and rivers.
Variegated Fritillary
The Variegated Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a variety of colors on its wings. They are usually found in areas with a lot of flowers, such as meadows or forest edges.
Viceroy
A Viceroy butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens.
Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Providence County, Rhode Island
Acadian Hairstreak
The Acadian Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange and black wings. They are found in the forests of eastern North America.
American Copper
The American Copper butterfly is a brightly coloured butterfly that is found in the forests of North America. They are usually seen flying around near streams and rivers.
Banded Hairstreak
A Banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a band of bright orange and black across its wings. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, and can be found in the eastern United States and Canada.
Bog Copper
A Bog Copper butterfly is a small, metallic-green butterfly with a yellow tail. They live in damp, cool areas, and feed on nectar from flowers.
Bronze Copper
A Bronze Copper butterfly has reddish brown wings and a metallic sheen. They are found in open areas with grassy meadows and woodland, and are usually seen flitting around near flowers.
Brown Elfin
The Brown Elfin butterfly is a small butterfly with a dark brown body and wings. They are found in open habitats, such as meadows and fields, and are usually seen flying in pairs.
Coral Hairstreak
A Coral Hairstreak butterfly has a bright orange body with black markings and a black fringe on the wings. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields and gardens.
Eastern Pine Elfin
Eastern Pine Elfin butterflies are typically a light brown with darker brown and black markings. They are found in the colder parts of the eastern United States, including the Appalachian Mountains. They prefer open forests with plenty of sunshine and fresh air.
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies have blue wings with black stripes and tails. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields, gardens, and meadows.
Edwards’ Hairstreak
The Edwards’ Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with bright green wings and a brown body. They are found in open areas such as meadows and fields, and typically feed on nectar from flowers.
Frosted Elfin
A Frosted Elfin butterfly looks like a delicate, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of around 2.5 inches. They are usually found in open, grassy areas, such as meadows, and are often seen flitting around in the sunshine. They are commonly found in North America, but have also been spotted in Europe.
Gray Hairstreak
The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the Appalachian Mountains. They are very attracted to flowery areas, and can often be seen flitting around in the sun.
Harvester
A Harvester butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a long tongue that it uses to extract nectar from flowers. They are common in open, sunny areas, often near flowers of the aster family.
Hessel’s Hairstreak
A Hessel’s Hairstreak butterfly has a bright orange and black wings, with a black line down the center. They are found in open woodlands and meadows, and are usually seen flying around near flowers.
Hickory Hairstreak
The Hickory Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that belongs to the hairstreak family. The butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The butterfly is a light brown color with a small, black dot on the wing. The butterfly is found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and woodlands.
Juniper Hairstreak
The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly found in the eastern United States, including parts of New England. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, usually in late summer and fall.
Red-banded Hairstreak
The Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a bright red band across its wings. They are found in open areas with lots of sun, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Spring Azure
The Spring Azure butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright blue wings and a yellow stripe running down the middle of each wing. They live in meadows, fields, and other warm, open habitats.
Striped Hairstreak
A Striped Hairstreak butterfly looks like a delicate, colorful butterfly with a striped pattern on its wings. The habitat of a Striped Hairstreak butterfly is a variety of open, sunny areas with plenty of nectar and flowers.
Summer Azure
A Summer Azure butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright blue wings and a yellow waist. They are found in warm, sunny areas, such as gardens and fields.
White-M Hairstreak
The White-M Hairstreak butterfly is a brightly coloured butterfly that is found in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Providence County, Rhode Island
a butterfly is a small, colorful insect with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They live in forests, meadows, and other habitats with plenty of flowers. Some species, such as the monarch butterfly, migrate long distances.
Black Swallowtail
A Black Swallowtail butterfly is a colorful insect with a wingspan of about 4 inches. They are found in open areas near water, such as fields and meadows, and are often seen perched on flowers. Black Swallowtails are members of the swallowtail family and are known for their colorful wings and tails.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are beautiful creatures with bright colors and intricate patterns on their wings. They are found in forests and woodlands, where they feed on nectar and pollen.
Giant Swallowtail
The Giant Swallowtail butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to six inches. They are usually a deep black, but can be variably colored including shades of blue and yellow. They are found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests, and are attracted to light.
Pipevine Swallowtail
The Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright blue wings and a black band around the middle of the wings. They live in the forests of North America.
Spicebush Swallowtail
Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies look like colorful butterflies with long tails. They live in open habitats, such as fields, meadows, and forests, and are attracted to flowers.
Zebra Swallowtail
A Zebra Swallowtail butterfly has a bright orange band across its wings and a black stripe down its center. They live in open habitats with lots of flowers, such as fields and meadows.
Skipper Butterflies in Providence County, Rhode Island
Black Dash
The Black Dash butterfly is mostly black with a few metallic blue or green markings. They are found in open woodlands and gardens, and are attracted to light.
Cobweb Skipper
The Cobweb Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in open areas with a lot of tall grasses. They are usually seen near streams and wetlands.
Columbine Duskywing
The Columbine Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 1/2 inches. They are found in the eastern United States, in the Appalachian Mountains and in the Ozark Mountains. They are most common in wooded areas with a lot of flowers.
Common Roadside-Skipper
A Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly looks like a small, brown and black butterfly. They are found in open areas, such as fields, meadows and gardens, where they feed on nectar.
Common Sootywing
The Common Sootywing butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. It has a black body with a white wing margin. It is usually found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, but can also be found in forests.
Crossline Skipper
Crossline Skippers are small brown and white butterflies that live in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and forests.
Delaware Skipper
The Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in the eastern and central United States. It is a common butterfly in the Appalachian Mountains, and it can also be found in the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and the Ohio Valley. The Delaware Skipper butterfly prefers open areas with lots of flowers, and it can also be found in forests.
Dion Skipper
The Dion Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly blue with a yellow stripe down its wings. They live in open areas such as meadows and fields, and are able to fly quickly.
Dreamy Duskywing
Dreamy Duskywings are beautiful, dark butterflies found in North America. They are usually found in open areas with lots of tall grasses and flowers, such as meadows.
Dun Skipper
A Dun Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are typically found inhabiting open areas near water, such as meadows and fields, but can also be found in forested habitats. They are members of the swallowtail family and are distinguished by their modified tails, which are shaped like a skipper’s tail.
Dusted Skipper
A Dusted Skipper butterfly has a light brown body with a black spot on the upper abdomen. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.
European Skipper
The European Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is often seen flitting around flowers. They are commonly found in meadows, grasslands, and other open areas.
Fiery Skipper
The habitat of a Fiery Skipper butterfly includes meadows and prairies, near streams and rivers.
Hoary Edge
The Hoary Edge butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The wings are a light brown color with a few white markings. The butterfly is found in the eastern United States and parts of Canada. The butterfly is found in open forests and in fields with scattered trees.
Hobomok Skipper
A Hobomok Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about one inch. It is a brown and black butterfly with a yellow band across its wings. Hobomok Skipper butterflies are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields and meadows.
Horace’s Duskywing
The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the Eastern United States. It is a light brown butterfly with a dark brown border around its wings. It is usually found in wooded areas, but can also be found in fields.
Indian Skipper
The Indian Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a light brown butterfly with a black band across its wings. It is found in open areas such as fields and meadows, and is attracted to flowers.
Juvenal’s Duskywing
The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly that has a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in the eastern and central United States, as well as in parts of Canada. They are most commonly found in wooded areas and open fields.
Least Skipper
The Least Skipper butterfly is a light brown and black butterfly. It has a wide wingspan and is common in open habitats such as meadows and fields.
Leonard’s Skipper
A Leonard’s Skipper butterfly has jet black wings with a yellow band and a red triangle along the edge of each wing. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and forests.
Little Glassywing
The Little Glassywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in open areas such as meadows and woodlands. They are typically found near water sources, where they feed on nectar.
Long Dash
A Long Dash butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a beautiful dark brown with a white triangle on the wingtip. It is found in the Amazon rainforest.
Long-tailed Skipper
A Long-tailed Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a long tail. They are most commonly found in open, grassy areas such as meadows and fields. They are also found in gardens and orchards.
Mulberry Wing
A Mulberry Wing butterfly looks like a small, brown butterfly with a dark band across its wings. The habitat of a Mulberry Wing butterfly is in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, or forests.
Northern Broken-Dash
A Northern Broken-Dash butterfly has a dark brown wingspan and a broken dash on the wing. They are found in prairies, woodlands, and meadows.
Northern Cloudywing
The Northern Cloudywing butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The upperside of the wings is a dark brown, and the underside is a bright blue. They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens.
Ocola Skipper
The Ocola Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that frequents open, grassy areas.
Peck’s Skipper
The Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that frequents flowers. They are often found near streams and lakes.
Pepper and Salt Skipper
The Pepper and Salt Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly found in a variety of open habitats across North America. They are common in gardens and open fields, but can also be found in woodlands and urban areas. They are attracted to flowering plants, but can also be found feeding on nectar from other plants.
Sachem
A Sachem butterfly has a brown body with a yellow stripe down its center. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, and may be seen flying around during the day.
Silver-spotted Skipper
The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are mostly silver with black spots. The butterfly is found in open habitats including fields, meadows, and forests.
Sleepy Duskywing
Sleepy Duskywings are a dark brown butterfly with a characteristic dusky stripe down their back. They are found in the eastern United States, where they are common in open woods, meadows, and edges of marshes.
Southern Cloudywing
The Southern Cloudywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The wings are a light blue with dark outlines. The underside of the wings is a light blue with darker blue and purple markings. The butterflies live in warm, moist habitats near water.
Tawny-edged Skipper
The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1-1.5 inches. It has a metallic sheen on its wings, which gives it its name. It is a common butterfly in the eastern US and Canada. It is mostly found in open areas with long grass, but can also be found in gardens.
Two-spotted Skipper
A Two-spotted Skipper butterfly has two spots on its wings. It lives in open, grassy areas.
Wild Indigo Duskywing
The Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a dusky brown wings and a reddish-purple body. The butterfly is found in open, grassy areas, such as meadows and prairies, where it feeds on nectar from flowers.
Zabulon Skipper
A Zabulon Skipper butterfly is a small, brightly-colored butterfly that lives in open areas with lots of flowers. They are usually found near streams and rivers.
White and Sulphur Butterflies in Providence County, Rhode Island
Cabbage White
The Cabbage White butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The wings are a light blue color with a white stripe running down the middle. The butterflies inhabit open areas near streams and lakes.
Checkered White
The Checkered White butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a checkered pattern on its wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowering plants, such as fields and meadows.
Clouded Sulphur
A Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It is typically found in open, sunny areas like fields and meadows.
Cloudless Sulphur
The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the Amazon Rainforest. The butterfly has a bright orange body with black markings and has a black and white wingspan. The butterfly is commonly seen flitting around flowers in the rainforest.
Little Yellow
A Little Yellow butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a yellow and white wings. They are found in warm areas, such as in gardens and parks.
Orange Sulphur
The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. They are usually found in wooded areas, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Providence County, Rhode Island. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Rhode Island? We have lists for each of the 5 counties in the state.