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There are over 175 species of butterflies in North Carolina, each ranging in different colors and enjoying different plants for nectar flowers. Their wings are useful to them not only for flying but also to help them blend in with their surroundings or scaring off predators with their bright colors.
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies (Papilio glaucus) are the state butterfly in North Carolina. The species is identified by its yellow and black colors with small blue patches.
- Monarch. Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are some of the most common in North Carolina. This species is known for its contrasting orange and black colors.
- Silver-spotted Skipper. Silver-spotted Skippers (Epargyreus clarus) are some of the most common types of butterflies in the state despite being a target for Horse Guard Wasps.
- Red-spotted Admiral. Red-orange spots across the dorsal and ventral wings are the main reason this species (Limenitis arthemis) bears its name. Black colors dominate the upper side of the forewings while blue colors are seen on the hindwings.
- Red Admiral. Vanessa atalanta. Red Admirals have a wingspan of 1.75 to 2.5 inches. The coloring is dark brown with a reddish circular band and white spots.
- Painted Lady. Vanessa cardui. Painted Lady butterflies have a wingspan of 1.75 to 2.5 inches. The coloring is pinkish-orange, with dark brown to black markings near the wingtips and white spots inside the black markings.
- Monarch. Danaus plexippus. Monarch butterflies have a wingspan of 3.5 to 4 inches. Their recognizable coloring is a “stained glass” pattern of orange with black veins.
- American Lady. Vanessa virginiensis. American Lady Butterflies have a wingspan of 1.75 to 2.5 inches. The coloring of this species is a brilliant orange with dark borders and markings and white and purple spots.
- Little Yellow. Eurema lisa. 1 to 1.5 inches. 3 to 11 months. As evident from their name, Little Yellow butterflies are yellow with dark spots on their wings.
- Common Buckeye. Junonia coenia. 1.6 to 2.75 inches. 2 to 4 weeks. The Common Buckeye is a brown-colored butterfly species with beautiful patterns on its wings.
- Cabbage White. Pieris rapae. 1.75 to 2.25 inches. 1 to 3 weeks. Cabbage White is a common white butterfly species in North Carolina.
- Orange Sulphur. Colias eurytheme. 1.35 to 2.75 inches. 2 to 4 weeks. The name of Orange Sulphur may deceive you! These butterflies are not entirely orange but have various colors like yellow, white, and black.
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. The eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) is one of the most common and widespread butterfly species found in North Carolina.
- Black Swallowtail. The black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) is another common swallowtail species found across North Carolina. As its name suggests, this large butterfly has striking black wings with yellow markings.
- Cabbage White. The cabbage white (Pieris rapae) is a small white butterfly that is a common sight in North Carolina. As the name implies, it is drawn to cruciferous plants like cabbage, kale and broccoli.
- Clouded Sulphur. The clouded sulphur (Colias philodice) is a small, vibrant yellow butterfly found commonly across North Carolina. It has a wingspan of just 1.5 to 2.3 inches.
May 15, 2023 · The Monarch Butterfly is considered the most popular and majestic butterfly in the entire world. It is easily identified by its flying patterns and its orange and black coloring patterns. If you live in North Carolina or have ever been have been to North Carolina then you have spotted the Monarch Butterfly in summer and falls.
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Jul 9, 2023 · The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly (Phoebis sennae) is a species of bright yellow butterfly that you can spot in North Carolina. Its wingspan ranges from 2 to 3 inches. The upper side of its wings features an orange-yellow color with black wingtips and white spots.
