Butterflies of Tucson, Arizona

The Gulf Fritillary or Passion Butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) is a striking, bright orange butterfly of the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Heliconiinae. These were formerly classified in a separate family, the Heliconiidae or longwing butterflies, and like other longwings this species does have long, rather narrow wings in comparison with other butterflies. It is not closely related to the true fritillaries. It is a medium to large butterfly, with a wingspan of from 6—9.5 cm. Its underwings are buff,... less ↑

Anthanassa texana, the Texan Crescentspot, is a species of butterfly in the Nymphalidae family. It is found from Guatemala north through Mexico to southern California, east across the southern United States to northern Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Strays may be found up to Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, South Dakota and central Nevada. The habitat consists of deserts, dry gulches, open areas, streamside’s, road edges and city parks.. less ↑

The Southwestern Orangetip, Anthocharis thoosa, is native to the southwestern United States.  It inhabits juniper, pinyon juniper, and pinyon woodlands from northern Nevada through Utah and western Colorado south to southeastern California , Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas.  Adult butterflies fly in the spring (January–May).  Caterpillars feed on a variety of mustards, family Brassicaceae.   less ↑

The Mormon Metalmark (Apodemia mormo) is a species of Metalmark butterfly, Riodinidae. Its upperside is orange-brown to black, checkered with black and white spots. Its caterpillar host is various species of Eriogonum, wild buckwheat. Its adult food is nectar from the flowers of Eriogonum and other plants, especially yellow-flowered composites, such as Senecio and Chrysothamnus (rabbitbrush). less ↑

Calephelis arizonensis is a year-round resident of southern Arizona and southern Tex., with a range extending south to Michoacan, Mexico (Scott 1986). Habitats are semi-shaded limestone outcrops in c. Tex., desert foothill canyons in w. Tex, and s. Ariz. Host plants are restricted to a few species of genus Eupatorium (Compositae). Eggs are laid on the host plant singly. Individuals overwinter as X. There are multiple flights each year with the approximate flight time Feb.1-Nov.30 (Scott 1986). Some sources recognize C. arizonensis as a subspecies of C. rawsoni (Scott 1986). less ↑

The Theona Checkerspot,  Chlosyne theona, is a nymphalid butterfly that ranges from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America to Colombia. Habitats include subtropical scrub, desert foothills, open pinyon or oak woodlands, and limestone ridges.  Caterpillars feed on a variety of herbs including Ceniza blanca (Leucophyllum spp.), paintbrush (Castilleja spp.), desert foxglove (Brachystigma spp.) and vervain (Verbena spp.).  Adult butterflies nectar at Ceanothus spp. and Baccharis spp..  North American butterflies fly from late March to early November. less ↑

The Eastern Tailed-blue or Eastern Tailed Blue (Cupido comyntas), also known as Everes comyntas, is a common butterfly of eastern North America. Males are generally blue on the upperside of their wings while females are lighter blue to brown or charcoal in coloring, but there are also varieties of purple and pink found in both sexes. The underside coloration ranges from bluish-white to tan. There are two or three (outermost one often faint) black to orange... less ↑

Cyllopsis pertepida is resident to the southwestern United States between Nevada and Texas (Scott 1986). Habitats are mainly pinyon-juniper and oak woodland. Host plants are unknown (in the lab, larvae eat the grass Poa pratensis). Individuals overwinter as half-grown larvae. There are variable numbers of flights depending on latitude, in the northern part of their range there is one flight with the approximate flight time 15-July 31, in higher mountains July 1- Aug. 15, and southward the flight time is May 1- early Oct. less ↑

The Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus) is a North and South American butterfly in the family Nymphalidae (the brush-foots) with a wingspan of 2.75–3.25" (70–88mm). It is orange or brown with black wing borders and small white forewing spots on its dorsal wing surface, and reddish ventral wing surface fairly similar to the dorsal surface. The ventral hindwings have black veins and small white spots in a black border. The male has a black androconial scent patch... less ↑

The Monarch (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly (subfamily Danainae), in the family Nymphalidae. It is perhaps the best known of all North American butterflies. Since the 19th century, it has been found in New Zealand, and in Australia since 1871 where it is called the Wanderer. In Europe it is resident in the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira, and is found as an occasional migrant in Western Europe. Its wings feature an easily recognizable... less ↑

Dymasia dymas is resident of southern Calif., Ariz., New Mexico and Texas, and ranges south to central Mexico (Scott 1986). Habitats are desert scrub and woodland and subtropical thorn forest. Host plants are herbaceous or shrubs, and known hosts are restricted to two species in family Acanthaceae. Eggs are laid on the host plant in small clusters. There are multiple flights each year with the approximate flight time Feb. 1-Nov. 30 in southern Texas, and Mar.1 ?Oct 31 in New Mexico and Calif. (Scott 1986). less ↑

Hemiargus ceraunus, the Ceraunus Blue, is a butterfly in the Lycaenidae family. It is found in the south-western United States, southern Texas, Florida and the Florida Keys south through the West Indies, Mexico and Central America to South America. Strays may be found in North Carolina, Missouri, Kansas and Nevada. The habitat consists of open woodland, desert scrub, dunes, pastures, road edges and vacant lots. less ↑

The (Common) Buckeye (Junonia coenia) is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found in southern Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia and all parts of the United States except the northwest, and is especially common in the south, the California coast, and throughout Central America and Colombia. Its habitat is open areas with low vegetation and some bare ground. This species and its relatives were placed formerly in the genus Precis. less ↑

The American Snout or Common Snout Butterfly (Libytheana carinenta) is a member of the Libytheinae subfamily, in the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. This species is found in both North and South America. The larval host plants are Celtis spp. on which the eggs are laid singly. Massive migrations of this species often attract attention in the Texas and Mexican newspapers. less ↑

The Arizona Red-spotted Purple, Limenitis arthemis arizonensis, is endemic to Mexico and the southwestern United States (Opler 1999).  In Arizona, caterpillars feed on chokecherry (Prunus), willows (Salix), cottonwood and aspen (Populus) in riparian habitats of oak woodlands and mixed evergreen forests (Stewart et al. 2001).  Adults fly from late March to mid-November (Stewart et al. 2001). These butterflies are Batesian mimics of the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail, Battus philenor (Mullen 2006, Mullen et al. 2008, Savage & Mullen 2009).   less ↑

Resident in western North America, migratory in some parts of its range (Scott 1986). Habitats are Lower Sonoran to Candian zone open woodland, fields, desert and prairie. Host plants are usually herbaceous or shrubs with most known hosts from two families, Polygonaceae and Leguminosae. Eggs are laid on the host plant leaves or flowers singly. Larvae eat flowers, pods and leaves and are tended by ants. Individuals overwinter as larvae. There are variable numbers of flights based on latitude and location, Mar1-Oct31 on the coast, and May15-Sep.15 elsewhere there are many flights, in far north one flight June15-early July and one flight in areas above timberline, July1-early Aug. (Scott 1986). less ↑

Megisto cymela is resident of the southwestern United States, and ranges south to Guatemala (Scott 1986). Habitats are grassland hills and open mesquite, pine or oak woodland. Host plants are unknown. Eggs are laid singly and haphazardly scattered. Individuals overwinter as mature larvae. There are multiple flights each year with the approximate flight times Feb. 1- Dec. 31 in Texas, and at least May 1-Aug.31 in New Mexico (Scott 1986). less ↑

Ministrymon leda is a little species of hairstreak resident in patchy distribution to the south western United States and into northern Mexico, and migratory in some parts of its range (Scott 1986). Habitats are lower Sonoran zone desert thorn forest. Host plants are trees restricted to Prosopis juliflora var. torreyana (Leguminosae). with most known hosts from X. Eggs are laid on the host plant flowers singly. Larvae are thought to eat flowers. Individuals overwinter as X. There are many flights each year with the approximate flight time Apr1-Nov30 (Scott 1986). less ↑

Nymphalis antiopa, known as the Mourning Cloak in North America and the Camberwell Beauty in Britain, is a large butterfly native to Eurasia and North America. See also Anglewing butterflies. The immature form of this species is sometimes known as the spiny elm caterpillar. Other older names for this species include Grand Surprise and White Petticoat. A powerful flier, this species is sometimes found in areas far from its usual range during migration. It is also... less ↑

The Black Swallowtail, Papilio polyxenes, also called the American or parsnip swallowtail, is a butterfly found throughout much of North America. It is the state butterfly of Oklahoma. There is an extremely similar-appearing species, Papilio joanae that occurs in the Ozark Mountains region, but it appears to be closely related to Papilio machaon, rather than polyxenes. less ↑

Phoebis agarithe, the Orange Giant Sulphur or Large Orange Sulphur, is a butterfly in the Pieridae family. It is found from Peru north to southern Texas and peninsular Florida. Rare strays can be found up to Colorado, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and New Jersey. The habitat consists of open, tropical lowlands including gardens, pastures, road edges, trails and parks. less ↑

The West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella) is one of three North American species of brush-footed butterflies known colloquially as the "painted ladies". V. annabella occurs throughout much of the western US and south western Canada. The other two species are the cosmopolitan Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) and the eastern Vanessa virginiensis (American Painted Lady). This species has also been considered a subspecies of the South American Vanessa carye, and is frequently misspelled as anabella. less ↑