There are 78 species of butterflies you can find in Washington County, Vermont. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Washington County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:
Brush-footed Butterflies in Washington County, Vermont
American Lady
The American Lady butterfly is a striking butterfly with a wingspan of about one and a half inches. The wings are a light blue with a dark blue stripe running the length of each one. The American Lady butterfly is found in open, sunny areas throughout the United States. They are attracted to flowers, but also like to feed on nectar from other plants.
American Snout
The American Snout butterfly has a black body, white wings, and a yellow tip on its wings. They live in meadows, fields, and forests.
Aphrodite Fritillary
Aphrodite Fritillary butterflies are typically a deep purple in color and have a white “tail” on their back. They are commonly found in open areas such as meadows and fields, but can also be found in forested areas. They are attracted to flowers, and are often seen feeding on nectar.
Atlantis Fritillary
The Atlantis Fritillary butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that lives in tropical jungles. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches.
Baltimore Checkerspot
The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with blue and orange wings. They are found in the eastern United States, from Pennsylvania to Florida. They are typically found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.
Common Buckeye
The Common Buckeye butterfly, which is also known as the Buckeye tiger beetle, has a wingspan of about 1 inch. The butterfly is mostly light brown, with a black line down the middle of each wing. It lives in open areas, such as fields, meadows, and woodlands, and can be seen flying around in the morning and evening.
Common Ringlet
A Common Ringlet butterfly is typically a creamy-white color, with a wingspan of about one inch. They are typically found in the forests and gardens of the eastern United States and Canada.
Common Wood-Nymph
A Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly with a wingspan of around 2 inches. They are usually light brown or white, with a small black spot on their wings. They are found in open forests and parks, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Compton Tortoiseshell
A Compton Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a striking pattern of brown and white. They are commonly found in open areas with plenty of flowery vegetation, such as meadows and fields.
Eastern Comma
Eastern Comma butterflies are typically light brown and have a black comma on their wing. They are found in meadows and other open areas with a lot of sunshine.
Eyed Brown
The Eyed Brown butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 2-3 inches. The wings are a light brown color with a few black spots. The butterfly is found in grasslands, meadows, and forests across North America.
Gray Comma
The Gray Comma butterfly is a dark gray butterfly with a white comma on the wing. They are found in open areas with lots of nectar, such as meadows and fields.
Great Spangled Fritillary
A Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that has a bright blue and yellow wings. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, and are usually found near flowers.
Green Comma
A Green Comma butterfly has a green body with black spots and a yellow band across its wings. They live in meadows and other open areas with plenty of flowers.
Harris’ Checkerspot
The Harris’ Checkerspot butterfly ranges from the central and eastern United States, south to Florida and west to Texas, and north to New Hampshire and Maine. They are typically seen flying about in open areas with lots of flowers.
Little Wood-Satyr
The Little Wood-Satyr butterfly looks like a small, brown butterfly with a white band across its wing. This butterfly lives in the forests of North America.
Meadow Fritillary
The Meadow Fritillary butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches. The butterfly is primarily found in meadows, but can also be found in other areas with a lot of flowers. The Meadow Fritillary is a very elusive butterfly and is not commonly seen.
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterflies are ferocious predators that live in warm, humid environments near bodies of water. They are brightly coloured and have a distinctive pattern of black and yellow stripes on their wings.
Monarch
A Monarch butterfly is a beautiful insect with a wingspan of up to two feet. It is the largest member of the milkweed family and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and parks. Monarchs are attracted to nectar from various plants, including wildflowers, and are known for their long migration flights across the United States and Canada.
Mourning Cloak
A Mourning Cloak butterfly looks like a small, black and brown butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are commonly found in open areas such as fields, meadows and forest edges, but can also be found in urban areas. Mourning Cloak butterflies are most active in the morning and early afternoon, but are also known to fly during the evening. They are generally solitary but can be found in small groups during mating season. They are pollinators of various flowers, but are also known to feed on nectar from other flowers as well.
Northern Crescent
A Northern Crescent butterfly has a wingspan of around 3.5 inches. They are predominantly black with a reddish-orange band across their wings. They live in wooded areas and prefer habitats with lots of flowers.
Northern Pearly-eye
Northern Pearly-eyes are small, delicate butterflies with a wingspan of about 1 inch. They are mostly brown with a metallic sheen, and their wings are marked with alternating light and dark bands. They inhabit open areas such as meadows, prairies, and savannas, and are frequently seen flitting around flowers.
Painted Lady
The Painted Lady is a delicate butterfly that is brightly coloured and has a wingspan of about two inches. The butterflies inhabit open areas such as meadows, fields, and woods.
Question Mark
The Question Mark butterfly is usually light brown or yellow and has a black spot on the rear of its wings. It is found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and pastures.
Red Admiral
A Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful, brightly colored butterfly. They inhabit open habitats with plenty of flowers.
Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral
The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a brightly colored wingspan. These butterflies are found in warm, dry areas with lots of flowering plants. They prefer areas with lots of tall grasses and bushes to perch on.
Silver-bordered Fritillary
The Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. They are commonly found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and woods.
Silvery Checkerspot
The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly, Argynnis paphia, is a colorful butterfly that is found in North America. It is usually light gray or silver with black markings, but can vary in color. The butterfly prefers open areas with lots of flowers, and is usually found near streams and lakes.
Variegated Fritillary
A Variegated Fritillary butterfly is usually a light brown color with darker splotches and a pattern of darker and lighter areas on its wings. They are found in wooded areas and often fly in pairs.
Viceroy
A Viceroy butterfly has a wingspan of about 3 inches. They are dark brown with a faint yellowish-green band across the top of the wings. They are found in tropical rainforests.
White Admiral
The White Admiral butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly that is often seen flitting around in open habitats such as meadows, fields, and gardens.
Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Washington County, Vermont
Acadian Hairstreak
A Acadian Hairstreak butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with a white band on its wings. It is found in open, grassy areas with scattered trees in the northeastern US and eastern Canada.
American Copper
The American Copper butterfly is a small, metallic blue butterfly that can be found in open woods and grasslands.
Banded Hairstreak
A Banded Hairstreak butterfly looks like a large, brightly-colored butterfly with bands of black and white running throughout its wings. They are typically found in open, sunny areas near water, such as meadows, fields, and forests.
Bog Copper
A Bog Copper butterfly is a beautiful dark brown butterfly with a prominent white band across its wings. They are commonly found in wet areas, such as bogs and marshes, where they feed on nectar from flowers.
Bronze Copper
A Bronze Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen. They are typically found near streams and other moist areas, and can be found throughout much of North America.
Brown Elfin
A Brown Elfin butterfly has a wingspan of about 3 inches. They are typically a light brown with a reddish tinge, and have a small black dot on the wingtip. They are found in open forests and woodlands, where they feed on nectar.
Cherry Gall Azure
The Cherry Gall Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly with orange and black markings on its wings. It is usually found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as fields, meadows, and gardens.
Coral Hairstreak
The Coral Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. It is a colorful butterfly that is often seen flitting around in the trees. The Coral Hairstreak butterfly is commonly found in the canopy of the trees, and is known to feed on nectar from flowers.
Early Hairstreak
The Early Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open areas with lots of flowers.
Eastern Pine Elfin
Eastern Pine Elfin butterflies are typically a light brown color with a wingspan of about 2-3 inches. They prefer to live in dense forests, but can also be found in open areas near trees.
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies are brilliant blues with a whitish tail. They are found in open woodland and meadows, and sometimes in gardens.
Harvester
The Harvester butterfly is a large, black and white butterfly that is found in meadows and other open areas. They are attracted to flowers and are also known to eat small insects.
Northern Azure
The Northern Azure is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the northern parts of North America. The habitat of the Northern Azure is the forests and grasslands.
Silvery Blue
The Silvery Blue is a small butterfly that is often seen flitting around flowers. It is a summertime butterfly and lives in open habitats such as meadows and fields.
Striped Hairstreak
A striped hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and black stripe down its back. They are found in open habitats such as meadows, woodlands, and gardens. They are usually found near flowers.
Summer Azure
A Summer Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly with a white border. They live in open areas with lots of grass and flowers. They are usually seen in summertime.
Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Washington County, Vermont
Black Swallowtail
A Black Swallowtail butterfly is typically black with a yellow tail. They are found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, where they feed on nectar.
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail is a brightly coloured butterfly that is commonly found in open woodland and meadows.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in open areas such as woods and fields. They are usually attracted to flowers, but can also be found feeding on nectar from other plants.
Giant Swallowtail
A Giant Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful insect with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are usually bright colors, with a yellow body, purple wings, and a black band across the middle of the wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, and are popular among butterfly enthusiasts.
Spicebush Swallowtail
The Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful insect with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly is common throughout the eastern United States, but is particularly common in the Appalachian Mountains. The butterfly is attracted to flowers that have a strong scent, and often frequents spicebushes.
Skipper Butterflies in Washington County, Vermont
Arctic Skipper
The Arctic Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is mainly found in the Arctic region. It has brown and white wings and is often found on flowers.
Common Branded Skipper
The Common Branded Skipper butterfly is a large, colourful butterfly with a wingspan of up to two inches. They are commonly found in open, wet areas such as marshes and ponds, but can also be found in gardens and orchards. They are attracted to flowers, but can also be found feeding on nectar from other insects.
Common Roadside-Skipper
The Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly found in open areas near roads. They are usually seen in flocks near roadsides.
Delaware Skipper
The Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The habitat of the Delaware Skipper butterfly is open fields, meadows, and woodlands.
Dreamy Duskywing
The Dreamy Duskywing butterfly is a small dark brown butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in dry areas with lots of scrub and low plants, such as chaparral and oak woodlands.
Dun Skipper
The Dun Skipper butterfly is a brightly colored butterfly that is found in open areas such as meadows and field margins.
European Skipper
and describe how they reproduce
The European Skipper butterfly is a small, dark-colored butterfly that has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in open habitats, such as meadows, fields, and forests, and are often seen flying around flowers. The larvae of the European Skipper butterfly feed on plant roots. They are able to reproduce by flying into the air and depositing their eggs on the ground.
Hobomok Skipper
The Hobomok Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is brown and black with white stripes down their wings. They live in open habitats like prairies and meadows.
Indian Skipper
The Indian Skipper butterfly (Euploea sylvia) is a small butterfly that is commonly found in open grasslands, gardens, and orchards. It is a colorful butterfly that often has a metallic sheen to its wings.
Least Skipper
Least Skipper butterflies are small, brown butterflies with a yellow band across their wings. They live in open spaces, such as fields, meadows, and forests, and are common in summertime.
Leonard’s Skipper
The Leonard’s Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that ranges in color from dusty brown to black. They inhabit open habitats such as meadows and fields, and can be found flying around during the day.
Little Glassywing
The Little Glassywing butterfly is a small butterfly that has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The butterfly is mostly white with a faint blue-green tinge. The butterfly is found in open areas, such as meadows and prairies, in the eastern United States.
Long Dash
The Long Dash butterfly is a brown and black butterfly. They have a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in the eastern US, Canada, and Mexico. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers.
Northern Broken-Dash
The Northern Broken-Dash butterfly is a beautiful, delicate butterfly that is found in the boreal forests of North America. They are mostly black with a broken-dash pattern on their wings. They are very active fliers and can be found perched on branches and flowers.
Northern Cloudywing
Northern Cloudywing butterflies have a wingspan of about 3 inches. They are mostly black with a pale band across their wings. They are found in North America, where they live in forests and other moist areas.
Peck’s Skipper
A Peck’s Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 0.75-1.5 inches. They are typically light brown with a few white spots on their wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and woods.
Pepper and Salt Skipper
The Pepper and Salt Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly found in warm, moist areas. They are usually seen near water sources, such as streams and ponds.
Silver-spotted Skipper
The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in open habitat such as meadows and fields. They are also found in woodlands and forests.
Tawny-edged Skipper
A Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly has brown wings with a yellow and brown band along the edge. They are found in open, grassy areas with flowers such as clovers.
Two-spotted Skipper
A Two-spotted Skipper butterfly looks like a small, dark butterfly with a white spot on each wing. The habitat of a Two-spotted Skipper butterfly is moist, shady areas near streams and ponds.
Wild Indigo Duskywing
The Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the prairies and grasslands of Canada. It is a member of the Satyrinae subfamily of the Nymphalidae family. The Wild Indigo Duskywing is a dark brown butterfly with a characteristic dusky wing band. It is a common butterfly in its habitat and is usually seen flitting around the flowers in search of nectar.
White and Sulphur Butterflies in Washington County, Vermont
Cabbage White
The Cabbage White butterfly has a wingspan of about 2-1/2 inches. It is a light brown and white butterfly and is found in open areas, such as fields and meadows, where it feeds on nectar from flowering plants.
Clouded Sulphur
The Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the eastern United States. It has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a very popular butterfly and is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, gardens, and meadows.
Mustard White
A Mustard White butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are usually a pale yellow or light brown color with a dark mustard stripe running the length of their wings. They are most commonly found in open grasslands and prairies, but can also be found in montane areas.
Orange Sulphur
A Orange Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright orange body and black wings. They are common in open, sunny areas such as fields and meadows. They feed on nectar from flowers, and are known to migrate long distances.
Pink-edged Sulphur
The Pink-edged Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in the eastern United States. The habitat of this butterfly is forests.
That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Washington County, Vermont. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Vermont? We have lists for each of the 14 counties in the state.