Butterflies in St. Mary’s County, Maryland

There are 88 species of butterflies you can find in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in St. Mary’s County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:


Brush-footed Butterflies in St. Mary’s County, Maryland

‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple

The Astyanax red-spotted purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the eastern United States. It is a member of the family Nymphalidae and is known for its colorful wings and markings. The Astyanax red-spotted purple butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is a metallic green butterfly with a red spot on each wing. The butterfly is found in open, deciduous woodlands and gardens.

American Lady

The American Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are mostly brown with a few spots of white, and they have a distinctive “V” shaped pattern on their wings. They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens.

American Snout

The American Snout butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that is common throughout most of North America. The habitat of the American Snout butterfly is open areas with plenty of flowers.

Appalachian Brown

The Appalachian Brown butterfly looks like a dark brown butterfly with a yellow band across its wings. They are found in the Appalachian Mountains region of the United States. They live in woodlands and meadows, and prefer areas with lots of flowers.

Carolina Satyr

The Carolina Satyr butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are found in the southeastern United States, primarily in the Appalachian Mountains. They are very active during the day, but are very shy at night. They feed on nectar from flowers, but are also known to feed on insects.

Common Buckeye

The Common Buckeye butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a light tan with a few brown spots. The butterfly is found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and is attracted to flowers.

Common Wood-Nymph

Common Wood-Nymph butterflies are typically light brown or tan with a wingspan of about 1-1/2 inches. They are found in woodlands and other open areas with lots of trees.

Eastern Comma

A Eastern Comma butterfly is typically a blue or black butterfly with a white comma on the upper wing. They are found in the eastern United States, in the Appalachian Mountains, and in the Northeast. They are usually found in open, sunny areas, and in areas with high levels of flower diversity.

Great Spangled Fritillary

A Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a species of butterfly. Its habitat includes open woodlands and meadows.

Gulf Fritillary

A Gulf Fritillary butterfly has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches and is a light brown color. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and prairies.

Hackberry Emperor

The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of up to 2 inches. They are usually seen flying around in open areas such as fields and meadows. They are attracted to flowers and will feed on nectar.

Little Wood-Satyr

The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly has a wingspan of about 1 inch. It has a rusty brown body with a light brown stripe down the middle. It lives in open forests and gardens where its larvae feed on tree sap.

Monarch

A Monarch butterfly looks like a typical butterfly with a bright orange, yellow, and black wings. They are usually found in open areas such as fields and meadows, but can also be found near water sources. Monarchs are attracted to flower gardens and other areas with lots of blossoms.

Mourning Cloak

A Mourning Cloak butterfly is a small, black and brown butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are attracted to light. They are also found in areas with diverse plant life, and are known to migrate.

Northern Pearly-eye

A Northern Pearly-eye butterfly has a creamy white body with a dark brown band across its wings. They live in open, wooded areas with plenty of flowers to feed on.

Painted Lady

The Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful, brightly coloured butterfly that can be found in many parts of North America. They are usually found in open, sunny areas with lots of flowering plants, and often feed on nectar.

Pearl Crescent

A Pearl Crescent butterfly has a wingspan of about 1 inch and is light brown with a dark brown band across the wings. They are found in open woodland and gardens, and are active during the day.

Question Mark

A Question Mark butterfly looks like a small white butterfly with a black Question Mark on its wings. Question Mark butterflies live in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are often seen fluttering around flowers.

Red Admiral

The Red Admiral butterfly is a large butterfly with a deep red body and wings. They are found in subtropical and tropical climates, and prefer open areas with plenty of flowering plants.

Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral

The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a large butterfly that frequents open areas with lots of flowers. They are usually seen in gardens or parks.

Silvery Checkerspot

The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open, sunny areas. It has a metallic sheen to its wings and is known for its fantastic colors and flight.

Tawny Emperor

The Tawny Emperor butterfly is a large butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It is found in tropical forests across the Americas.

Variegated Fritillary

Variegated Fritillary butterflies are orange and black with a white stripe down their center. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and forests.

Viceroy

A Viceroy butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found in tropical forests. They are usually seen in flocks, and their wingspan is about 1.5 inches.


Gossamer-wing Butterflies in St. Mary’s County, Maryland

American Copper

The American Copper butterfly is a beautiful, metallic blue butterfly. They are found in the US in the Appalachian Mountains and in the Midwest. They like open, sunny areas, such as meadows and gardens.

Banded Hairstreak

A Banded Hairstreak butterfly looks like a small, brightly-colored butterfly with black and yellow bands on its wings. They typically live in open, sunny areas, such as gardens, and are common in the eastern United States.

Brown Elfin

The Brown Elfin butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the forests of North America. They are usually a light brown color, with a few black markings on their wings. They are very active fliers and can be found flying around the trees and bushes.

Coral Hairstreak

The Coral Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in warm, tropical climates. They have a wingspan of about 1.5 inches and are typically found near streams or other bodies of water. They are attracted to light, so they often fly around during the day.

Eastern Pine Elfin

Eastern Pine Elfin butterflies are bright, colorful butterflies that live in forests.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies are typically a light blue color with a dark blue or black tail. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as gardens and meadows.

Frosted Elfin

A Frosted Elfin butterfly is a small, delicate looking butterfly with a dark brown or black wings and a light brown or white underside. They are found in a variety of habitats including forests, meadows, and gardens.

Gray Hairstreak

A Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a small, delicate looking butterfly with a gray body and a white wingtip. They are common to find in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, woodlands, and gardens.

Great Purple Hairstreak

The Great Purple Hairstreak butterfly is a large butterfly with a broad wingspan. The wings are a deep purple, and the underside is white. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and pastures.

Harvester

A Harvester butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly that typically has a dull brown or black body with a broad yellow or cream band across the wings. They are typically found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and grasslands, and are attracted to nectar sources.

Henry’s Elfin

The Henry’s Elfin butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that ranges throughout much of North America. They are typically found in open, sunny areas such as meadows and fields, as well as in forests.

Juniper Hairstreak

The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly that is predominantly black with orange and yellow markings. They are found in open areas such as forests and grasslands. They are attracted to flowers, and can be found feeding on nectar.

Red-banded Hairstreak

A Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a red band around its hindwing. The habitat of a Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly is open and sunny areas, such as fields and forests.

Spring Azure

A Spring Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue and white butterfly. They are found in meadows, fields, and other grassy areas.

Striped Hairstreak

A Striped Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a colorful wingspan. They can be found in open areas with lots of plant life, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Summer Azure

Summer Azure butterflies are typically a bright blue color with a white wing band. They are found in open grasslands and meadows, often near water.

White-M Hairstreak

A White-M Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It has a white wings with a dark brown stripe down the center. The habitat of a White-M Hairstreak butterfly is the forests of North America.


Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in St. Mary’s County, Maryland

Black Swallowtail

A Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and fields. They are typically very active flyers, and are known for their colorful wings and long tails.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtails are beautiful butterflies with bright colors and long tails. They usually inhabit open, grassy areas such as meadows and fields.

Giant Swallowtail

A Giant Swallowtail butterfly is typically a bright yellow or orange color with a black band across its wings. They are found in a variety of habitats, from forests to deserts.

Palamedes Swallowtail

The Palamedes Swallowtail butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a large wingspan. They are found in tropical forests and are commonly seen flitting around flowers.

Pipevine Swallowtail

The Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a longtail. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields, meadows, and woodlands.

Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies are beautiful creatures with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are mostly found in open, wooded areas with lots of flowering plants, such as Spicebush. They are active during the day and are attracted to brightly-colored flowers.

Zebra Swallowtail

A Zebra Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in North America. They are usually light green or yellow with black stripes on their wings. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers, like gardens.


Skipper Butterflies in St. Mary’s County, Maryland

Aaron’s Skipper

The Aaron’s Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It is a blue-green butterfly that is found in open areas, such as fields, meadows, and prairies.

Broad-winged Skipper

A Broad-winged Skipper butterfly is typically a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The wings are a bright blue with a wide V-shape. The habitat of a Broad-winged Skipper butterfly is usually open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows or prairies.

Clouded Skipper

A Clouded Skipper butterfly has a metallic green body with a black band across its wings. It inhabits humid areas such as meadows and forests, where it feeds on nectar from flowers.

Common Checkered-Skipper

The Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in many different habitats. They can be found in forests, meadows, and even urban areas.

Common Roadside-Skipper

The Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a small, brightly-colored butterfly found in open areas near roads. It is most common in the summer, but can be found throughout the year in warm climates. The butterfly’s habitat includes open fields, meadows, and woods.

Common Sootywing

The Common Sootywing butterfly is a small, brown butterfly found in open habitats across much of North America. They are generally found near water, but can also be found in areas with dense vegetation.

Crossline Skipper

Crossline Skippers are small, delicate butterflies that usually have a blue or black background with white stripes. They are usually found in open, wooded areas.

Delaware Skipper

The Delaware Skipper is a small, brown butterfly that is found in open areas near streams and rivers. It is typically found near water’s edge, where it feeds on flower nectar.

Dun Skipper

A Dun Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. They are predominantly found in open forests, but can also be found in thickets and other wooded areas.

Eufala Skipper

A Eufala Skipper butterfly looks like a small, brown butterfly with a black band across its wings. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Fiery Skipper

The Fiery Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open habitats such as meadows and prairies. They are usually seen in early morning or late afternoon.

Hayhurst’s Scallopwing

The Hayhurst’s Scallopwing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with vibrant colors. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Hoary Edge

A Hoary Edge butterfly is a beautiful, brown and white butterfly that lives in forests.

Horace’s Duskywing

The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly that is typically dark brown or black with a pale band across the wings. They are found in open habitats with plenty of flowers, such as prairies and meadows.

Juvenal’s Duskywing

The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in a variety of habitats across North America. They are commonly found near streams and ponds, but can also be found in open areas near woods.

Least Skipper

A Least Skipper butterfly has a yellow and black wingspan with a green and brown midsection. They are commonly found in open areas with flowers, such as gardens, meadows and fields.

Leonard’s Skipper

The Leonard’s Skipper butterfly is a small black and white butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The habitat of the Leonard’s Skipper butterfly is open fields, meadows, and gardens.

Little Glassywing

The Little Glassywing butterfly is a small, delicate-looking butterfly. It has pale wings that are covered in small, transparent spots. The habitat of the Little Glassywing butterfly is open fields, meadows, and gardens.

Long-tailed Skipper

The Long-tailed Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a wingspan of almost two inches. It is found in open woodlands and prairies, usually near water.

Mottled Duskywing

A Mottled Duskywing butterfly looks like a dark brown butterfly with mottled wings. They are found in open forests, meadows, and gardens.

Northern Broken-Dash

Northern Broken-Dash butterflies have a varied range of colors, from tan to brick red, with black markings on the wings. They are typically found in moist woodlands and understory, but can be found in other habitats as well.

Ocola Skipper

The Ocola Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. The wings are a light blue with a darker blue stripe running along the center. The underside of the wings is a light blue with darker blue spots. The Ocola Skipper butterfly lives in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as prairies, meadows, and fields.

Peck’s Skipper

The Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly found in a variety of open habitats including grasslands, meadows, and forests.

Sachem

The Sachem butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the Cloud Forest of Costa Rica. The Sachem butterfly is a member of the Danainae family and is a brightly coloured butterfly that is often seen flitting around in the air.

Salt Marsh Skipper

The Salt Marsh Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that lives in salt marshes.

Silver-spotted Skipper

The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a bright metallic sheen on its wings. They are found in open habitats with scattered trees and flowers, such as prairies and meadows.

Southern Cloudywing

The Southern Cloudywing butterfly is a small, dark butterfly with a triangular wingspan. It is found in open, dry habitats across the southern United States and in the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Coahuila.

Swarthy Skipper

A Swarthy Skipper is a small, brown butterfly with black markings on its wings. It is found in forests and woodlands.

Tawny-edged Skipper

The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It has a light brown background with dark brown stripes near the edges of its wings. It is found in open areas, such as meadows and fields, where it feeds on nectar.

Whirlabout

A Whirlabout butterfly looks like a large, colorful butterfly with a long tail. They are found in the rainforest, and are known for their fast flapping and ability to change direction quickly.

Wild Indigo Duskywing

The Wild Indigo Duskywing is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open habitats such as meadows, prairies, and woodlands.

Zarucco Duskywing

The Zarucco Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a white band across its wings. It is found in the southern United States.


White and Sulphur Butterflies in St. Mary’s County, Maryland

Cabbage White

The Cabbage White butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically brown and white. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and fields. They are typically seen flitting around in groups.

Checkered White

A Checkered White butterfly has a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. They are usually found in open areas with a lot of flowering plants, such as meadows and woodlands.

Clouded Sulphur

The Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It lives in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens.

Cloudless Sulphur

The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a metallic blue with a few white spots on its wings. It is found in open country such as prairies, meadows, and savannas.

Falcate Orangetip

The Falcate Orangetip butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly has a bright orange wings and a black border. The butterfly is found in tropical forests and is usually seen flying around in groups.

Little Yellow

A Little Yellow butterfly looks like a small, yellow butterfly. They live in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and feed on nectar from flowers.

Orange Sulphur

The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange body and wings. They are often found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, where they can feed on nectar.

Sleepy Orange

and

What does a Sleepy Orange butterfly look like?

The Sleepy Orange butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are a light orange color with black lines running across them. The Sleepy Orange butterfly is found in the Amazon rainforest. It is a daytime flyer and can be found near the tops of trees or in open areas.


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