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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.
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- 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.
- 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.
4 days ago · Common Butterflies of North Carolina. North Carolina’s diverse natural landscape includes coastal dunes, pocosins, sandhill savannahs, piedmont forests, wetlands, and mountain ranges. These different vegetation communities provide a home for more than 175 butterfly species.
All of the butterfly species recorded in NC, their distribution in the state; their relative abundance in each region; their periods of occurrence in the state; and information about finding each species in the state.
May 15, 2023 · Did you know that there are over 140 species of butterflies in North Carolina and surrounding states? Finding a Guide to the Most Common Butterflies in North Carolina or surrounding states was not as easy as I thought.
Get ready to explore 20 of the most common and captivating butterflies you’ll encounter across North Carolina! From the massive monarch to the tiny eastern pine elfin, be prepared to be dazzled by their amazing transformations and intricate wing patterns as we spotlight these flying flowers.