Butterflies in Tolland County, Connecticut

There are 84 species of butterflies you can find in Tolland County, Connecticut. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Tolland County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:


Brush-footed Butterflies in Tolland County, Connecticut

‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple

The ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. They are usually seen flying around bushes and trees. They are also known to inhabit open fields and gardens.

American Lady

The American Lady butterfly is a colorful butterfly that is found throughout North America. They are usually found close to water, and often feed on nectar.

Aphrodite Fritillary

The Aphrodite Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a blue-green wings. They are found in open country, such as meadows and fields, but can also be found in forested areas. They are commonly found near streams and ponds.

Appalachian Brown

The Appalachian Brown butterfly is a brown butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in the Appalachian Mountains in the United States. They live in a variety of habitats including forests, meadows, and gardens.

Baltimore Checkerspot

The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is a brightly-colored butterfly that can be found in open areas near streams and rivers.

Common Buckeye

The Common Buckeye butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. Its wings are a light brown color with a yellowish-green border. The Common Buckeye butterfly is found in North America, where it can be found in a variety of habitats, from open woods to meadows.

Common Ringlet

The Common Ringlet butterfly is a small butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats. They are most commonly found in forested areas, but can also be found in gardens and other open areas.

Common Wood-Nymph

The Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that is common in open wooded areas. They are also found in gardens, parks, and other areas with some trees.

Compton Tortoiseshell

The Compton Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a long tail. They live in open areas with lots of flowers.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma butterflies are brightly colored with a wingspan of about one inch. They are found in open areas with large expanses of grasslands and forests.

Great Spangled Fritillary

The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful creature that has brightly-colored wings. Its habitat is usually in open areas such as meadows, but it can also be found in forests.

Hackberry Emperor

The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the eastern United States. They are mainly found in forests, but can also be found in gardens. They are usually seen flitting around tree branches, but can also be found resting on leaves.

Harris’ Checkerspot

The Harris’ Checkerspot butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a checkerboard pattern on its wings. It is found in open, sunny areas with lots of flowering plants.

Little Wood-Satyr

The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly is a small, brightly-colored butterfly found in the Appalachian Mountains. They are usually seen near moist areas, such as creek banks and moist meadows.

Meadow Fritillary

The Meadow Fritillary butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are usually light brown or gray, but can have a variety of colors including light blue, yellow, and purple. They are found in meadows, open areas, and near streams.

Monarch

A Monarch butterfly looks like a small, colorful butterfly with a long wingspan. Monarchs make their homes in warm, sunny areas near flowers. They are classified as a “nectar feeder,” meaning that they feed on the sweet liquid from flowers.

Mourning Cloak

The Mourning Cloak butterfly is a small, brown butterfly found in North America. They are commonly found in dry, open habitats such as grasslands and deserts.

Northern Pearly-eye

Northern Pearly-eyes are a beautiful butterfly that can be found in many different habitats. They are common in open areas, such as grasslands, forests, and fields, but can also be found in close-to-human habitats, such as gardens and orchards. They are usually seen flying around during the day, but can also be found resting on flowers at night.

Painted Lady

The Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful, colorful butterfly that can be found in many different habitats. They are usually found near water sources, such as streams and ponds, but can also be found in other wetland habitats.

Pearl Crescent

A Pearl Crescent butterfly is a very pretty butterfly that is found in the East Coast of the United States. They are mostly found in the coastal areas and in the forests. They are also found in the gardens.

Question Mark

The Question Mark butterfly is a small, black and white butterfly. It has a triangular pattern on its wings. The Question Mark butterfly lives in meadows and forest.

Red Admiral

A Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright red body, black wings, and a yellow band on the hindwing. They live in open spaces, such as fields and meadows, and are particularly associated with warm climates.

Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral

The adult Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterflies have a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. Their wings are a bright red with black spots, and they have a white “tail” on the end of their wings. They live in warm, damp areas near water, such as along rivers and in swampy areas.

Regal Fritillary

The Regal Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and black body. They are found in open areas with lots of flowering plants, such as meadows and woodlands.

Silver-bordered Fritillary

A Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and prairies.

Tawny Emperor

The Tawny Emperor butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It has a light brown body with a dark brown band across its wings. It is found in tropical forests and is usually seen flitting around near flowers.

Viceroy

A Viceroy butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly found in North America. They are found in open, sunny areas with lots of nectar sources. Viceroy butterflies are the official state butterfly of New York.


Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Tolland County, Connecticut

Acadian Hairstreak

The Acadian Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a brightly coloured wing. The habitat of a Acadian Hairstreak butterfly is open fields and meadows.

American Copper

The American Copper butterfly has a wingspan of about 2-3 inches. Its wings are a bright copper color and have a intricate pattern of black and white. The butterfly is found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and is usually found near water.

Banded Hairstreak

Banded Hairstreak butterflies are typically brown and black and have a white band on their wings. They are common in open habitats, such as fields and meadows.

Brown Elfin

A Brown Elfin butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are usually light brown with a few darker spots, and they usually live near water sources such as rivers, streams, and ponds. They are common in the eastern United States, but they are also found in parts of Canada and Mexico. They are mostly found in open areas with plenty of flowers to feed on.

Cherry Gall Azure

A Cherry Gall Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue and gray butterfly. They are found in open areas such as meadows and fields, but can also be found in forests. They are usually found near cherry trees.

Coral Hairstreak

The Coral Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange body and black wings. They live in warm, tropical environments and are most often found near water. They are usually seen flitting around flowers or singeing the tips of leaves with their wings.

Eastern Pine Elfin

Eastern Pine Elfin butterflies are typically a light green or blue with darker markings. They are found in pine forests and other areas with many pine trees.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies are blue with a white tail. They live in open habitats with lots of flowers.

Edwards’ Hairstreak

The Edwards’ Hairstreak butterfly is dark brown with white stripes on its wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Frosted Elfin

A Frosted Elfin butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches and is light blue with light purple stripes. They are found in the Appalachian Mountains and in the Midwest. They are usually found near water, in areas with high humidity, and in rocky areas.

Gray Hairstreak

The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. It has a gray body with a white cross on its wings. It is a migratory butterfly and is most common in the fall. The Gray Hairstreak butterfly lives in meadows, woodlands, and other open areas.

Harvester

The Harvester butterfly is a black and yellow butterfly that is found in open areas with plenty of flowers. The habitat of a Harvester butterfly includes meadows, prairies, and woodlands.

Hickory Hairstreak

The Hickory Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly orange with black markings. They are found in the Appalachian Mountains and in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They are commonly found near oak and hickory trees.

Juniper Hairstreak

The Juniper Hairstreak butterfly is a colorful butterfly with a wingspan of around 2 inches. They are found in the western United States and Canada, where they inhabit open areas with lots of sunshine.

Oak Hairstreak

The Oak Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange and brown wings. They live in oak forests and other wooded areas.

Spring Azure

The Spring Azure butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. Its wings are a beautiful blue with a white stripe running along each one. The butterfly lives in the wetlands of the northeast United States and Canada.

Striped Hairstreak

A Striped Hairstreak butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a colorful butterfly with black stripes down the middle of its wings. It is often seen flitting around flowers in open fields or woodland.

Summer Azure

A Summer Azure butterfly looks like a bright blue butterfly with a white band across its wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields and meadows.


Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Tolland County, Connecticut

Black Swallowtail

The Black Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a black body, white wings, and red antennae. They are found in open habitats including grasslands, forests, and deserts.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are colorful and have a long tail. They live in forests, meadows, and other open areas.

Spicebush Swallowtail

The Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a distinctive pattern of black, yellow, and white. They inhabit dry forests and woodlands, where they feed on nectar from flowers.


Skipper Butterflies in Tolland County, Connecticut

Arctic Skipper

Arctic Skipper butterflies are small, colorful butterflies that can be found in cold, arctic habitats. They have a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are most common in the fall, but can be found throughout the year in some areas. They are usually found near water, and are often seen flitting around in the sunlight.

Black Dash

A Black Dash butterfly is a large, black butterfly with blue and yellow markings on its wings. They are found in the United States, Mexico, and Central America. They live in open areas with dense vegetation, such as forests, wetlands, and desert.

Broad-winged Skipper

Broad-winged Skippers are small, colorful butterflies that live in open, sunny areas. They are usually seen flying around flowers or drinking nectar.

Cobweb Skipper

The Cobweb Skipper butterfly is a small brown and white butterfly that is found in open areas with lots of flowering plants. They are most commonly found in the Midwest, but have been found as far north as Quebec. They are attracted to nectar sources, and can be found flying around flowers in the early morning and late afternoon.

Common Roadside-Skipper

The Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that frequents open areas near roads. Its habitat includes dry, sandy areas near the roadside.

Common Sootywing

The Common Sootywing butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It has a dark brown body with a light brown stripe down the middle of its wings. The Common Sootywing butterfly is found in open habitats, such as fields, meadows, and woodlands.

Crossline Skipper

Crossline Skippers are small, colorful butterflies that live in open areas with lots of flowers. They are usually seen flying around near water sources.

Delaware Skipper

A Delaware Skipper butterfly has a light brown and dark brown wings, with a distinctive red spot on the forewing. They are found in woodlands, gardens, and meadows, and are attracted to flowers.

Dreamy Duskywing

The Dreamy Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. It is a small butterfly that has a dusky brown and black wings. The butterfly is found in forests and other wooded areas.

Dun Skipper

A Dun Skipper butterfly is a beautiful, dark-colored butterfly that is found in open areas such as fields and meadows. They are usually found flying close to the ground and are very fast fliers.

Dusted Skipper

The Dusted Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly that is often found near flowers. They are common in open areas and are often found in brushy areas.

European Skipper

The European Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is found in grasslands, meadows, and other open habitats throughout much of Europe.

Fiery Skipper

A Fiery Skipper butterfly is typically orange or red with black markings on the wings. They are found in open habitats with lots of flowers.

Hoary Edge

The Hoary Edge butterfly is a large brown butterfly that is found in temperate and subarctic regions. They are often seen in meadows and prairies, but can also be found in wooded areas. They are common in North America, but are also found in Europe and Asia.

Hobomok Skipper

Hobomok Skipper butterflies are small, brown and white butterflies with a distinctive orange band on their wings. They are found in open habitats, including meadows, forests and grasslands.

Horace’s Duskywing

The Horace’s Duskywing butterfly is a butterfly that is found in North America. It is a black and brown butterfly with a pattern of dark spots on its wings. Its habitat is open areas with scattered trees, such as meadows, woodlands, and gardens.

Indian Skipper

The Indian Skipper butterfly has a bright yellow wings and a black stripe that runs the length of the butterfly’s wings. The butterfly is found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and grasslands.

Juvenal’s Duskywing

The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a small butterfly with a dusky brown body and wings. They are found in open habitats with plenty of flowers, such as prairies, meadows, and woodlands.

Least Skipper

The Least Skipper butterfly is typically a small butterfly that is mostly black with white spots on the wings. They are found in open, grassy areas near water.

Leonard’s Skipper

Leonard’s Skippers are small, brown butterflies that live in grasslands and prairies. They are active during the morning and evening, and can be seen flying around in search of food.

Little Glassywing

The Little Glassywing butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in open habitats such as meadows, prairies, and marshes.

Long Dash

A Long Dash butterfly is usually a light brown or tan color, with a wingspan of about two inches. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers, and are very active fliers.

Mulberry Wing

A Mulberry Wing butterfly is a small butterfly with a reddish brown wing span. They are found in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Northern Broken-Dash

Northern Broken-Dash butterflies have orange wings with black spots and a black band across the middle of each wing. They live in open areas with plenty of flowers, and are usually found near water.

Northern Cloudywing

Northern Cloudywings are a large, colorful butterfly that lives in open forests and meadows. They are active during the day and can be seen flying around looking for food.

Peck’s Skipper

The Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that typically has a light brown and black pattern on their wings. They prefer to live in open areas such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Pepper and Salt Skipper

Pepper and Salt Skipper butterflies are small creatures with colorful wings. They live in tropical or subtropical habitats and are often seen flitting around flowers.

Silver-spotted Skipper

The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with silver spots on a light brown background. They inhabit wooded areas, including forests, and are a common sight in early summer.

Sleepy Duskywing

The Sleepy Duskywing butterfly is a small, dark butterfly that is often seen perched on flowers during the day. They are known to inhabit open areas and woodlands, and can be found throughout the eastern United States.

Southern Cloudywing

The Southern Cloudywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the southern United States. They are usually found in forests or near water.

Tawny-edged Skipper

A Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly has a yellow and brown wings with black margins. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Wild Indigo Duskywing

The Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly is a small, black and brown butterfly with a distinctive band of orange across its wings. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, where they feed on flower nectar.


White and Sulphur Butterflies in Tolland County, Connecticut

Cabbage White

The Cabbage White butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a brown and yellow wings. They are found in open habitats with plenty of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Checkered White

A Checkered White butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are typically light brown, with alternating light and dark bands. They are found in open habitats, including meadows, pastures, and prairies.

Clouded Sulphur

The Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly is usually light purple or blue with a few dark spots on its wings. They are usually found in open areas such as meadows, fields, and forests.

Orange Sulphur

The Orange Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful, delicate butterfly. It is usually yellow or orange with a black border around its wings. It lives in the tropics, and prefers warm, moist environments.


That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Tolland County, Connecticut. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Connecticut? We have lists for each of the 8 counties in the state.