Butterflies in Windsor County, Vermont

There are 81 species of butterflies you can find in Windsor County, Vermont. Not all of them are common. In fact, some of the butterflies on our list are quite rare sights in Windsor County. The butterflies on our list are grouped by the following categories:


Brush-footed Butterflies in Windsor County, Vermont

‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple

The ‘Astyanax’ Red-spotted Purple butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright red spot on its upperside. This butterfly is found in open woodlands, fields, and meadows, where it feeds on nectar from flowers.

American Lady

A female American Lady butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are black with white markings. The butterflies live in meadows, woodlands, and other areas with tall grass.

American Snout

The American Snout butterfly is a small butterfly with a long nose. It is a common butterfly in eastern North America. The butterfly’s habitat is open fields, meadows, and forests.

Aphrodite Fritillary

Aphrodite Fritillary butterflies have a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are mostly green and have a metallic sheen. They live in meadows and other grassy areas, but may be found near streams and ponds as well.

Atlantis Fritillary

The Atlantis Fritillary butterfly is a small butterfly that is mostly blue with a yellow and black band across its wings. They live in open areas such as meadows, prairies, and forests.

Baltimore Checkerspot

The Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found throughout the eastern United States. They are typically blue or black with yellow and orange markings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Common Buckeye

The Common Buckeye butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to four inches. They are commonly found in open areas such as fields, woods, and meadows. They feed on nectar from flowers.

Common Ringlet

The Common Ringlet butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about one inch. They have a bright blue or green wings with white stripes. They are usually found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Common Wood-Nymph

The Common Wood-Nymph butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a light brown butterfly with a white spot on the wings. The Common Wood-Nymph butterfly lives in woodlands and gardens.

Compton Tortoiseshell

The Compton Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and black colour scheme. They are often seen flying around in oak and other woodland habitats.

Eastern Comma

The Eastern Comma butterfly is a small, brown and black butterfly. It has a wingspan of about 1-1.5 inches. The Eastern Comma butterfly lives in moist forests and nearby meadows.

Eyed Brown

Eyed brown butterflies have brown and black markings on their wings. They inhabit open fields and gardens, and can be found during the day flying around.

Gray Comma

A Gray Comma butterfly is a small, delicate butterfly. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings are a rich chocolate brown with a gray comma mark on the wings. The butterfly is found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, woodlands, and prairies.

Great Spangled Fritillary

The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a large wingspan. They are typically found in open forests, but can be found in other areas as well. They are very active fliers and are known for their colorful wings.

Green Comma

The Green Comma butterfly is a small, green butterfly with black markings on its wings. They are common in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and fields.

Hackberry Emperor

The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of nearly two inches. It is the largest of all the monarch butterflies and is found in the eastern United States, from Texas to Maine. The Hackberry Emperor butterfly is most commonly found in deciduous and mixed woods, but can also be found in urban areas.

Harris’ Checkerspot

A Harris’ Checkerspot butterfly looks like a delicate, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of around one and a half inches. They are found in open areas with plenty of flowers to feed on, such as meadows and prairies.

Little Wood-Satyr

A Little Wood-Satyr butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The butterfly is mostly brown with a few white spots on the wings. The butterflies live in forests and woodlands.

Meadow Fritillary

A Meadow Fritillary butterfly has a delicate wingspan of about 1.5 inches and a bright yellow and brown body. They are found in open meadows and fields, where they lay their eggs on the underside of leaves.

Milbert’s Tortoiseshell

Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterflies are small, brown butterflies that can be found in a variety of habitats, including deciduous and coniferous forests, meadows, and gardens.

Monarch

The Monarch butterfly is a large, colorful butterfly with a wingspan of up to 3 inches. They are found in warm, sunny areas throughout the United States and southern Canada. They usually feed on flowers, but will occasionally eat other small creatures. The Monarch butterfly’s habitat varies depending on the season, but it is typically found near forests, rivers, and other sources of water.

Mourning Cloak

A Mourning Cloak butterfly is typically dark brown with a wingspan of about 2 inches. They are found in open areas near water, such as meadows and prairies.

Northern Crescent

Northern Crescent butterflies are light brown with dark brown spots on their wings. They prefer areas with lots of flowering plants, such as meadows and gardens.

Northern Pearly-eye

Northern Pearly-eye butterflies are typically a light brown with a white spot on their wing. They are found in forests and other areas with dense vegetation.

Painted Lady

The Painted Lady butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright yellow and black wings. They are found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and woodlands. They prefer to live near running water and flower gardens.

Pearl Crescent

The Pearl Crescent butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a yellow and black wing pattern. They prefer to live in open, grassy areas with lots of flowers.

Question Mark

The Question Mark butterfly is a large butterfly with a black and yellow body. It is found in open areas with lots of flowers, especially Asteraceae plants.

Red Admiral

The Red Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are a rich red, and the butterfly has a white spot on each wing. The butterfly is found in open areas with plenty of flowers, such as meadows, fields, and gardens.

Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral

The Red-spotted Purple or White Admiral butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to two feet. They are mostly orange with a series of black spots on their wings. They are common in open areas such as fields and meadows, but can also be found in forests.

Silver-bordered Fritillary

The Silver-bordered Fritillary butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen on its wings. They are found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows and forests. They are considered a threatened species and are in danger of extinction.

Silvery Checkerspot

The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a wingspan of about three inches. It is a resident of the eastern U.S., and its habitat includes open forests, woodlands, and parks.

Tawny Emperor

A Tawny Emperor butterfly looks like a large, brightly-colored butterfly with a wingspan of up to two inches. They are found in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, and prefer open, sunny areas with plenty of flowering plants. They are common in gardens and parks, and can be found fluttering around flowers in the early morning and late afternoon.

Variegated Fritillary

Variegated Fritillary butterflies have green and brown wings. They live in the forests of North America.

Viceroy

A Viceroy butterfly has a wingspan of about two inches and is a light brown and black color. They are found in tropical regions of the world and feed on nectar from flowers.

White Admiral

The White Admiral butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in many different habitats. They can be found in warm climates, such as in the United States, but they can also be found in colder climates. They like to live in forests, meadows, and gardens.


Gossamer-wing Butterflies in Windsor County, Vermont

Acadian Hairstreak

A Acadian Hairstreak butterfly looks like a small, brightly colored butterfly with a characteristic hairstreak pattern on its wings. It inhabits open, grassy areas near streams and lakes, and is common in the eastern part of North America.

American Copper

The American Copper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen. It is common in open areas, such as fields and meadows, but can also be found in gardens and orchards.

Banded Hairstreak

The Banded Hairstreak butterfly has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is a bright orange with black bands. It lives in wooded areas and has a preference for open areas with lots of flowers.

Bronze Copper

Bronze Copper butterflies are metallic blue with bronze wings. They are found in open areas like fields, meadows, and forests.

Cherry Gall Azure

A Cherry Gall Azure butterfly is a beautiful blue butterfly with a white spot on its wing. They are most commonly found in open areas with lots of flowers, such as meadows, fields, or forests.

Coral Hairstreak

The Coral Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in many different habitats, such as forests, meadows, and even gardens. They are usually seen flitting around and landing on flowers, but can also be seen flying in circles.

Early Hairstreak

Early Hairstreak butterflies have bright colors and often have a wingspan of about 1 inch. They live in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Eastern Pine Elfin

Eastern Pine Elfin butterflies are small, colorful butterflies that can be found in wet forests across eastern North America. These butterflies feed on nectar from flowers, and are most active in the morning and early evening.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies are brightly coloured and have a blue-green wingspan. They are found in open habitats, such as fields and meadows, and are migratory.

Gray Hairstreak

The Gray Hairstreak butterfly is a small butterfly with a gray body and a bright blue-violet head. They are found in open, grassy areas and are most active during the morning and evening.

Harvester

The Harvester butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a dark brown and yellow wings. It is found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests.

Hickory Hairstreak

A Hickory Hairstreak butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that is found in the forests of the eastern United States. The butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches and a bright orange body with black markings. The butterfly’s wings are decorated with black spots and the butterfly frequents open areas near trees where it can find nectar.

Northern Azure

Northern Azure butterflies are blue with a white crescent on the wing. They live in the grasslands and prairies of North America.

Silvery Blue

The Silvery Blue butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a metallic sheen. They are common visitors to gardens, but can also be found in nature near bodies of water.

Striped Hairstreak

A Striped Hairstreak butterfly looks like a delicate butterfly with a striped pattern on its wings. They live in open habitats with lots of flowers, such as meadows, forests, and gardens.

Summer Azure

A Summer Azure butterfly is a beautiful butterfly with a bright blue wingspan. They are most commonly found in open grasslands and meadows, but can also be found in gardens and parks. They are active during the day, but are attracted to dark areas and are also known to come close to people.


Parnassian and Swallowtail Butterflies in Windsor County, Vermont

Black Swallowtail

Black Swallowtail butterflies are dark brown and have a swallowtail shape. They live in forests, and feed on nectar from flowers.

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail

A Canadian Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful, brightly-colored butterfly with a wingspan of up to three inches. They are common to find in open, grassy areas, preferably near streams or other bodies of water. They are attracted to light, so they are often seen perched on flowers near the water’s edge.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are beautiful creatures with iridescent blue, green, and black wings. They are typically found in open areas with tall trees and flowers, such as meadows and forests.

Giant Swallowtail

The Giant Swallowtail butterfly is one of the largest butterflies in the world, with a wingspan up to 3.5 inches. They are found in warm climates, often near bodies of water. They eat flowers, and can be found in open fields, meadows, and forests.

Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies are small, brown and black butterflies that can be found in open, forested areas. They prefer to live near spice bushes, where they feed on nectar and pollen.


Skipper Butterflies in Windsor County, Vermont

Arctic Skipper

Arctic Skippers are usually a light brown or tan color with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. They are found in cold climates such as northern Canada and Siberia. They are most commonly found in moist woodlands and meadows, but can also be found near water.

Common Roadside-Skipper

A Common Roadside-Skipper butterfly looks like a small, dark brown or black butterfly with a white band across its wings. They are found in open areas near roadways, where they feed on nectar from flowers.

Crossline Skipper

The Crossline Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It has a white cross line on each wing. The butterfly lives in meadows, pastures, and other open areas with flowers.

Delaware Skipper

The Delaware Skipper butterfly is a small, colorful butterfly that lives in open areas near water.

Dreamy Duskywing

The Dreamy Duskywing butterfly is a small black and white butterfly. They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and wetlands.

Dun Skipper

The Dun Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically light brown or light tan with dark markings. They are found in many different habitats including meadows, forests, and gardens.

European Skipper

The European Skipper butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, such as meadows, gardens, and forests. The butterfly is usually dark brown or black, with a green or blue pattern along its wings.

Hobomok Skipper

The Hobomok Skipper butterfly is a small, brown and black butterfly. They are usually seen flying around in open areas such as meadows, but they can also be found in forests. They are attracted to flowers, but are also known to feed on nectar from other plants.

Indian Skipper

The Indian Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about one inch. The wings are a bright orange color and the butterfly has black and orange stripes on its wings. The butterfly is found in the tropical forests of India and Sri Lanka.

Juvenal’s Duskywing

The Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly is a black and brown butterfly with a yellow band across the middle of its wings. They live in forests and woodlands.

Least Skipper

The Least Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is often seen flying around flowers. They are usually found in open areas such as fields or meadows.

Leonard’s Skipper

The Leonard’s Skipper butterfly is a brightly colored butterfly with a yellow and black band across its wings. The butterfly is found in open spaces, such as meadows and fields, and is usually seen flying low to the ground.

Little Glassywing

The Little Glassywing butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The butterfly has a thin membrane covering its wings, which gives it a translucent appearance. The butterfly is found in open areas including prairies, meadows, and forests.

Long Dash

A Long Dash butterfly is a large butterfly with a wingspan of about one foot. It is mostly black with a yellow band across its wings. The butterfly lives in tropical forests and often rests on the tips of large branches.

Northern Broken-Dash

Northern Broken-Dash butterflies are small, brightly colored butterflies that live in open areas near water. They are usually seen in dense stands of flowers, such as lupines or dandelions.

Northern Cloudywing

Northern Cloudywings are a beautiful butterfly that can often be found near dense forest or overgrown areas. They are usually a light blue or purple color with a darker blue or purple band across their wings. They are often seen flitting around in the trees waiting for a chance to feed.

Peck’s Skipper

The Peck’s Skipper butterfly is a small, brown butterfly with light stripes on its wings. It is found in open habitats, such as grasslands and meadows, and is most common in the Eastern United States.

Pepper and Salt Skipper

The Pepper and Salt Skipper butterfly is a small butterfly that is typically orange or brown in color. They are found in coastal areas and are known to be attracted to salt licks.

Silver-spotted Skipper

The Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly has a metallic sheen to its wings and is usually found in open areas such as meadows, pastures, and fields. It is also common to find Silver-spotted Skippers in woodland and urban areas.

Tawny-edged Skipper

The Tawny-edged Skipper butterfly has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. It has a rusty brown edge to its wings and is common in open woodlands and gardens.


White and Sulphur Butterflies in Windsor County, Vermont

Cabbage White

The Cabbage White butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about one inch. The wings are a light green and the butterfly has a white marking on its wings that is shaped like a cabbage leaf. The butterfly lives in open habitats, such as meadows, fields, and pastures, and is attracted to flowers.

Clouded Sulphur

The Clouded Sulphur butterfly is a beautiful butterfly that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and meadows. They are usually seen flitting around in the air, but they can also be seen crawling on the ground.

Mustard White

A Mustard White butterfly is a delicate looking butterfly that is typically light yellow or white in color with a dark brown or black border around the wings. They are usually found in open areas such as fields, meadows, and forests, but can also be found in urban areas. Mustard Whites are attracted to flowers, but can also be found feeding on nectar from other plants.

Orange Sulphur

A Orange Sulphur butterfly has bright orange wings and body, with black markings on the wings. They are found in open areas with lots of herbs and flowers, usually near water.

Pink-edged Sulphur

The Pink-edged Sulphur butterfly is a butterfly with a bright pink wing edge. They are found in open, grassy areas with some flowers.


That’s the end of our look at the butterflies in Windsor County, Vermont. Interested in learning about more butterflies in Vermont? We have lists for each of the 14 counties in the state.