Butterflies of Tucson, Arizona

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 ↑

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 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 ↑

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 ↑

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 ↑

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 ↑

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 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 ↑

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 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 ↑

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 ↑

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 ↑