Butterflies in Sussex County, Delaware

There are 93 species of butterflies you can find in Sussex County, Delaware. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Sussex County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:


Brush-footed Butterflies in Sussex County, Delaware

‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple

The ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in many different habitats, such as forests, fields, and meadows. They are usually seen flying around in groups, and their wings are usually a bright red color with a few small purple spots.

American Lady

The American Lady butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly. It is found throughout much of North America. Its habitat includesopen areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and gardens.

American Snout

The American Snout butterfly has a black and yellow wingspan, with a blue and white stripe down the center of each wing. They are typically found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Appalachian Brown

The Appalachian Brown butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are mainly found in the Appalachian Mountains, but can also be found in other mountainous areas. They are a beautiful dark brown with a bright yellow border around the wings. They are attracted to flowers, but like most butterflies, they are not very aggressive and will often stay close to humans. They are commonly found in open areas, but can also be found in forests.

Common Buckeye

The Common Buckeye butterfly is a brown and black butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. It is found in the eastern United States, from New England to Florida and west to Texas. The Common Buckeye butterfly prefers open forests, but can also be found in suburban areas.

Common Wood-Nymph

Common Wood-Nymph butterflies are small and have a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are brown and have a pattern of black and brown stripes on their wings. They live in moist areas, such as forests, and are often seen flying around flowers.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma butterflies are small, colorful insects that live in the east. They are often seen in fields and other open areas.

Great Spangled Fritillary

The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a large wingspan. They are usually seen in open, grassy areas such as meadows and fields.

Gulf Fritillary

The Gulf Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are commonly found in wooded areas near water, but they can also be found in open fields and meadows. They are attracted to flowers, but they also feed on nectar from a variety of plants.

Hackberry Emperor

The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of about two feet. The butterfly is predominantly black with a bright yellow band across the middle of its wings. The butterfly lives in open woodland and pine forests where it feeds on nectar from flowers.

Little Wood-Satyr

The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that can be found in the eastern United States. They are usually found near deciduous trees, such as oak, maple, and elm. They are attracted to the smell of these trees and are often seen perched on the tips of the branches.

Monarch

A Monarch butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are a beautiful orange and black, with a white spot on their wings. Monarchs live in the tropical areas of North America, and are attracted to flowers. They are very active fliers, and can fly up to 50 mph.

Mourning Cloak

A Mourning Cloak butterfly is typically a dark brown or black butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. They are typically found in dry, open habitats, such as grasslands and deserts.

Painted Lady

The Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful blue and orange butterfly. It is found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, woodlands, and parks.

Pearl Crescent

The Pearl Crescent butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. The habitat of a Pearl Crescent butterfly is tropical rainforest.

Question Mark

A Question Mark butterfly is typically a light brown or tan color, with a black triangle on the wingtip. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as fields and meadows.

Red Admiral

The Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in warm, tropical areas. They are usually seen flying around near water sources.

Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral

A Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a red spot on the center of its white wings. They are common in open habitats, such as meadows and gardens.

Regal Fritillary

The Regal Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange wings and black markings. They are found in open areas such as meadows, woods, and gardens.

Silver-bordered Fritillary

The Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that is typically metallic silver in color with a very thin, light blue border. They are typically found in open, sunny areas near water, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Tawny Emperor

The Tawny Emperor butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, where they feed on nectar from flowers. They are often seen flying in groups and can be difficult to spot.

Variegated Fritillary

A Variegated Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens. These butterflies are usually seen flying around in groups, and their wings are decorated with alternating light and dark bands.

Viceroy

The Viceroy butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly. It is found in many habitats, including rain forests, chaparral, and open areas.


Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Sussex County, Delaware

American Copper

The American Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The body is a deep violet color and the wings are a bright copper color. They are found in open areas, such as meadows, fields, and forests. They are attracted to flowers, and are usually seen flitting around in groups.

Banded Hairstreak

The Banded Hairstreak butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches and a bright orange band across each of its wings. The butterfly is found in open woodlands and gardens, but is also known to visit agricultural areas. The Banded Hairstreak is a common species in North America.

Bronze Copper

The Bronze Copper butterfly is a small butterfly that is brown and copper in color. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as fields and meadows.

Brown Elfin

A Brown Elfin butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a brown body and wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, gardens, and woodlands.

Coral Hairstreak

A Coral Hairstreak butterfly is brightly coloured with a black line down the middle of its wings. They are found in open habitats such as meadows, fields, orchards, and forests.

Eastern Pine Elfin

Eastern Pine Elfin butterflies are small and delicate, with a wingspan of about one inch. They are mostly green, with a white band across their wings. They live in pine forests, and are attracted to light.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies have a blue and black striped wings, with a yellow band running the length of each wing. They prefer open habitats, such as fields and meadows, but can also be found in woodlands. They are commonly seen flitting about near flowers.

Frosted Elfin

A Frosted Elfin butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a bright, colorful butterfly that lives in tropical forests.

Gray Hairstreak

The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a gray body and wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, and are common in the eastern United States.

Great Purple Hairstreak

The Great Purple Hairstreak is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open areas such as fields and meadows. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The color of the Great Purple Hairstreak butterfly is a deep blue with a purple tinge. It is attracted to nectar sources such as milkweed and wildflowers.

Harvester

A Harvester butterfly is a beautiful, delicate creature that lives in the wilds of North America. They are usually pale green or blue with black and white stripes, and have large wingspan. They feed on nectar from flowers, and can be seen flitting about in search of food.

Henry’s Elfin

A Henry’s Elfin butterfly looks like a delicate, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in open, grassy areas, such as meadows and pastures, and are usually seen in flocks. They are also known to be found in areas with
foliage, which helps them camouflage from predators.

Hessel’s Hairstreak

The Hessel’s Hairstreak is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. The butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly’s wings are a beautiful blue and the butterfly has a marking on its wings that looks like a hair. The butterfly is found in open fields and wooded areas.

Holly Azure

A Holly Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly with white stripes on the wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Juniper Hairstreak

The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly is mostly brown, but has a pink stripe on its wings. The butterfly is found in the forests of North America. The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a butterfly that feeds on nectar from flowers.

King’s Hairstreak

King’s Hairstreaks are small, colorful butterflies that can be found in open, sunny areas with plenty of nectar sources. They are attracted to flowers with strong fragrances, such as lilies.

Red-banded Hairstreak

The Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly that has a bright red band on its wings. They live in open areas, such as prairies, and are attracted to light.

Spring Azure

A Spring Azure butterfly looks like a delicate blue and white butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, gardens, and fields.

Striped Hairstreak

The Striped Hairstreak butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly. They have a bright yellow and black stripe on their wings. They are usually found in open, sunny areas, such as fields and meadows.

Summer Azure

A Summer Azure butterfly is a beautiful, delicate butterfly with blue wings and a bright yellow body. They are found in open areas, such as meadows and fields, and often feed on nectar. They are very common in the summer, but can be found year-round in warmer climates.

White-M Hairstreak

The White-M Hairstreak butterfly is a small, brightly colored butterfly with a white stripe down the middle of its wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.


Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Sussex County, Delaware

Black Swallowtail

The Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a black body, white wings, and a red tail. They are found in the forests of North America.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are striking with their colorful wings. They are found in open woodland and prairies, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Palamedes Swallowtail

A Palamedes Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly. It is found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, prairies, and forests.

Pipevine Swallowtail

The Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful yellow and black butterfly. They are found in wet areas, such as marshes and ponds, and often fly around flowers.

Spicebush Swallowtail

A Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are found in moist habitats, such as forests, gardens, and river banks.

Zebra Swallowtail

A Zebra Swallowtail butterfly looks like a brightly-colored butterfly with a black and yellow stripe down its back. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, where they feed on nectar.


Skipper Butterflies in Sussex County, Delaware

Aaron’s Skipper

A Aaron’s Skipper butterfly is typically a light brown and has a white band on its wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Black Dash

Black Dash butterflies are typically dark brown with a dark band across their wings. They are common in open areas, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Brazilian Skipper

The Brazilian Skipper butterfly is a colorful butterfly found in tropical forests. They have a wingspan of about one inch. They are usually seen flying around looking for nectar.

Broad-winged Skipper

The Broad-winged Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found mainly in open areas near water. They are usually seen flying around near flowers or other sources of nectar.

Clouded Skipper

A Clouded Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are usually found flying around flowers in open areas such as fields or meadows.

Cobweb Skipper

The Cobweb Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically blue or green with white stripes. They live in open areas, such as meadows and fields, and fly around during the day.

Common Checkered-Skipper

The Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches and a brown body with white and black patterns. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and gardens.

Common Sootywing

A Common Sootywing butterfly looks like a large, dark brown butterfly with a white “snowflake” on its wings. They are found in deciduous and mixed forests across North America.

Crossline Skipper

The Crossline Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a brown body and wings. It is found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Delaware Skipper

The Delaware Skipper butterfly looks like a small, black and orange butterfly. It is found in open, grassy areas such as meadows, pastures, and hayfields.

Dion Skipper

The Dion Skipper butterfly is a small, brown and white butterfly found in open areas such as fields, meadows and forest margins. They are attracted to flowers, and are usually seen flitting around in the air.

Dun Skipper

A Dun Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open areas near water. They are usually found near flowers, but can also be found in fields or forests.

Dusted Skipper

A Dusted Skipper butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 1 inch. It is found in grassy areas and flower beds, and is most active during the morning and evening.

Fiery Skipper

A Fiery Skipper butterfly has bright orange wings with black stripes. They live in open country, including grasslands and meadows.

Hayhurst’s Scallopwing

A Hayhurst’s Scallopwing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. It is found in the tropical rainforest of Central and South America.

Hoary Edge

A Hoary Edge butterfly has light brown or gray wings with a dark border. It lives in areas with lots of dead leaves and can be found near the ground.

Horace’s Duskywing

The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a dark brown butterfly with a yellow waistband. They are found in open habitats with lots of flowering plants.

Juvenal’s Duskywing

The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a striking butterfly with a dusky brown body and wings. They are found in forested areas and can be found flying around during the day.

Least Skipper

Least Skippers are small, brown butterflies that usually have a white stripe on the underside of their wings. They live in open areas, such as meadows, fields, or forests, and are usually seen flying around in small groups.

Little Glassywing

The Little Glassywing butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly that is commonly found in open, sunny areas. They are usually seen flitting around flowers or other small objects.

Long-tailed Skipper

The Long-tailed Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with long tails. They are usually light green or blue, but can have a variety of colors. They live in colonies of butterflies, and their habitat is usually near water.

Mulberry Wing

A Mulberry Wing butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are found in open, sunny habitats with plenty of nectar and pollen sources.

Northern Broken-Dash

Northern Broken-Dash butterflies are brown and white with a broken dash on their wings. They live in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields and meadows.

Northern Cloudywing

A Northern Cloudywing butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches, and is primarily brown with a few white spots. They are found in damp areas, near streams and ponds, and in forested areas.

Peck’s Skipper

The Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are light brown with a reddish-orange patch on the underside. The butterfly is found in open habitats, such as meadows and fields, where it flits about looking for nectar.

Sachem

A Sachem butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a long tail. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers.

Salt Marsh Skipper

Salt Marsh Skipper butterflies are typically a light brown or gray color, with black markings on their wings. They are found in areas with saline water marshes, where they feed on insects.

Silver-spotted Skipper

The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. It is found in open habitat such as fields and meadows.

Sleepy Duskywing

A Sleepy Duskywing butterfly is typically a dark brown or black butterfly with a faint dusky hue. The butterfly is usually found in forested areas and is usually active during the early morning and late evening. The Sleepy Duskywing is a common butterfly in North America.

Southern Broken-Dash

The Southern Broken-Dash butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in the southeastern United States. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The Southern Broken-Dash is a colorful butterfly with alternating black and yellow bands on its wings. It is found in open areas such as fields, woods, and meadows.

Southern Cloudywing

The Southern Cloudywing butterfly looks much like other butterflies, but the wings are covered in a fine layer of cloudlike material. They typically inhabit a variety of warm habitats, including forests, meadows, and gardens.

Swarthy Skipper

A Swarthy Skipper butterfly looks like a dark brown butterfly with a yellow and black band across its wings. They live in warm, humid habitats near bodies of water.

Tawny-edged Skipper

The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen to its wings. This butterfly is found in open habitats, such as meadows and marshes, and can be seen flyng in the early morning and late evening.

Zabulon Skipper

The Zabulon Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that is found in open habitats near streams and rivers. The butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches.

Zarucco Duskywing

A Zarucco Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful and unique butterfly. Its wings are a deep, dark brown, and its body is a lighter brown. They are found in the dry, open habitats of the American Southwest.


White and Sulphur Butterflies in Sussex County, Delaware

Cabbage White

A Cabbage White butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. They are active during the day, flying around looking for flowers to sip nectar from. They live in open fields, meadows, and other areas with plenty of flowers.

Checkered White

A Checkered White butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a distinctive pattern of brown and white. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Clouded Sulphur

The Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The butterfly is mostly black, with a few areas of blue, green, and yellow. The butterfly usually feeds on nectar, but will also eat small insects. The butterfly is found in open areas with plenty of flowers.

Cloudless Sulphur

A Cloudless Sulphur butterfly has a dark brown body with a lighter brown stripe running down the middle of its back. They have a wingspan of around 2 inches. They are found in open areas with plenty of sunlight, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Falcate Orangetip

The Falcate Orangetip butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly with yellow markings on the wings. They are found in tropical forests and in open areas near water.

Little Yellow

A Little Yellow butterfly looks like a small, delicate insect with a yellow body and wings. They are found in open spaces such as fields, meadows, and gardens, and usually fly during the day.

Orange Sulphur

The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in open grassy areas and gardens.

Southern Dogface

The Southern Dogface butterfly has a wingspan of about 3/4 of an inch. It is a metallic blue with a contrasting white band on the wings. The butterfly is found in the southern United States, mostly in subtropical areas. It is a member of the family Nymphalidae.


That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Sussex County, Delaware. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Delaware? We have lists for each of the 3 counties in the state.