Connecticut Butterflies: Pictures and Butterfly Identification Help

Welcome to Connecticut butterflies.

As a small Atlantic Coast state, Connecticut ranks at the lower end of the butterfly diversity for states. According to the Yale Peabody Museum,

At one time or another over 120 butterfly species have been reported from Connecticut. Of these, 114 may still occur in the state. The Connecticut Butterfly Atlas Project documented the occurrence of 110 species from 1995 through 1999.

Regardless of butterfly diversity, there’s always room for a CT butterfly garden. Many common butterflies in Connecticut can actually be enticed into a garden setting as long as the host plants for their larvae are present.

The butterfly season Connecticut runs from spring through fall. Planting native flowers that bloom during each of the seasons helps keep butterflies and their larvae interested.

Local garden clubs and/or nurseries always provide the best tips for native flower selections. For example, did you know there are nine different types of milkweed that are native to Connecticut? If you are interested in planting milkweed to attract Monarch butterflies, there’s no doubt one species that’s perfect for your garden.

Finally, avoid the use of chemicals in the garden.

This page lists the butterflies native to Connecticut and adds a few pictures. Additional pictures and descriptions covering Connecticut butterflies can be found by clicking on the green butterfly button.

Butterflies: Whites and Yellows

Pieridae, the family of butterflies with white wings and yellow wings, makes a good appearnce in the state. The list has some more Southern species such as the Southern Dogface, and they are considered uncommon species. Orange and Clouded Sulphurs are probably the most common species.

Blues, Hairtreaks and Coppers

Eastern Tailed-blues and Azures are the most common of the blue butterfly species. The Bog Copper is considered endangered in the state.

Corals, Edwards and Banded Hairstreaks are the most common species in the state. Otherwise the list consists of species that are more local in their appearances. The picture shows a Coral Hairstreak.

Brush Footed Butterflies

Most Connecticut residents and visitors will be familiar with the Brush Footed butterflies they see in the state. Many are common in urban areas and adapt easily to gardens and parks. Fritillaries and Crescents are not very common. The picture shows a Viceroy, a very common species.

The list is similar to most Atlantic states.

Butterflies: Swallowtails

The Black, Eastern Tiger and Spicebush Swallowtails are the most common species in Connecticut.

• Pipevine Swallowtail
• Zebra Swallowtail
• Black Swallowtail
• Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
• Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
• Spicebush Swallowtail
• Giant Swallowtail

Butterflies: Metalmarks

Only one metalmark species lives in Connecticut, the Northern Metalmark. It is considered endangered in the state.