| Queen Alexandra's Birdwing |
Ornithoptera alexandrae |
Papilionidae |
28–31 (♀) |
Extremely broad and elongated; trapezoidal forewings falcate; hindwings rounded. |
Strong longitudinal veins thick and robust; costal margin strongly arched. |
Largest wingspan of any butterfly; sexual dimorphism (females larger). |
| Goliath Birdwing |
Ornithoptera goliath |
Papilionidae |
25–28 |
Broad, triangular forewings; scalloped hindwings |
Prominent radial veins; thickened costal margin |
Iridescent green/yellow markings; powerful flight |
| Giant Swallowtail |
Heraclides cresphontes |
Papilionidae |
14–19 |
Angular forewings; long "tails" on hindwings |
Branched radial veins; elongated discal cell |
Largest in North America; caterpillar mimics bird droppings |
| Blue Morpho |
Morpho menelaus |
Nymphalidae |
13 -- 20 |
Large, broad, and flat; forewings slightly falcate; hindwings caudate. |
Iridescent scales on dorsal surface; veins heavily branched. |
Structural coloration via multilayer interference; flapping flight creates iridescent flashes. |
| Monarch |
Danaus plexippus |
Nymphalidae |
8.9–10.2 |
Broad, rounded with slightly scalloped margins; forewings elongated, hindwings shorter and wider. |
Reticulate venation; discocellular cell present; veins R4 and R5 fused at base. |
Strong, gliding flight; wings loaded with toxic cardenolides from milkweed. |
| Eastern Tiger Swallowtail |
Papilio glaucus |
Papilionidae |
8–11 |
Elongated forewings; distinct hindwing tails |
Extended radial sector; "tails" on vein M3 |
Sexual dimorphism (black morph females); tiger-striping |
| Zebra Swallowtail |
Eurytides marcellus |
Papilionidae |
7–10 |
Triangular; extremely long hindwing tails |
Elongated radial veins; extended tail on CuA2 |
Zebra-like striping; mimics unpalatable models |
| Black Swallowtail |
Papilio polyxenes |
Papilionidae |
7–10 |
Broad forewings; short hindwing tails |
Branched radial veins; yellow spots along veins |
Mimics Pipevine Swallowtail; citrus/parsley host plants |
| Mourning Cloak |
Nymphalis antiopa |
Nymphalidae |
7–8 |
Broad, ragged edges; angular shape |
Prominent marginal veins; thickened wing base |
Overwinters as adult; camouflage as dead leaf |
| Question Mark |
Polygonia interrogationis |
Nymphalidae |
6–7 |
Highly angular, ragged edges |
Irregular marginal veins; cryptic pattern |
Camouflage as dead leaf; seasonal color forms |
| Painted Lady |
Vanessa cardui |
Nymphalidae |
5.0–7.5 |
Triangular forewings, rounded hindwings; apex of forewing pointed. |
Well-defined discal cell, branched cubitusVeins R1–R5 originate close together; costal margin slightly convex. |
Cosmopolitan distribution; migratory; polyphagous larvae<rapid, erratic flight. |
| Red Admiral |
Vanessa atalanta |
Nymphalidae |
5–7 |
Angular forewings; scalloped hindwings |
Strong subcostal vein; closed discal cell |
Dark wings with red bands; territorial behavior |
| Swallowtail |
Papilio machaon |
Papilionidae |
6.5–9.5 |
Long, tailed hindwings (caudal projections); forewings triangular with concave outer margin. |
Six legs (unlike most butterflies); veins R1–R5 all free at base. |
Mimicry of toxic species; tails disrupt predatory attacks. |
| American Lady |
Vanessa virginiensis |
Nymphalidae |
5–6 |
Angular forewings; scalloped hindwings |
Complex eyespot venation; closed cells |
Two large eyespots on hindwing underside; migration |
| Buckeye |
Junonia coenia |
Nymphalidae |
5–6 |
Rounded wings; soft angles |
Distinct eyespot venation rings; open discal cell |
Large eyespots for predator deflection; year-round in south |
| Peacock |
Aglais io |
Nymphalidae |
5.0 –6.5 |
Rounded with deeply scalloped margins; forewings and hindwings nearly equal in width. |
Prominent eyespots on hindwings; veins M1 and M2 diverge widely. |
Startle display using eyespots; cryptic underside for camouflage. |
| Cabbage White |
Pieris brassicae |
Pieridae |
5.0–6.5 |
Triangular forewings with rounded apex; hindwings ovate. |
Veins R4 and R5 stalked; discal cell open. |
UV-reflective for mate recognition; pest of cruciferous plants. |
| Clouded Yellow |
Colias croceus |
Pieridae |
4.5–6.0 |
Rounded forewings with slightly pointed apex; hindwings rounded. |
Veins R1–R3 close together; orange pigmentation from pteridine. |
Migratory; fast, direct flight. |
| Silver-spotted Skipper |
Epargyreus clarus |
Hesperiidae |
4.0–6.5 |
Broad forewings with hooked apex; hindwings rounded. |
Veins R1–R5 all free; thick body and large head. |
Rapid, darting flight; perching on leaves. |
| Orange Sulphur |
Colias eurytheme |
Pieridae |
4–6 |
Rounded forewings; smooth hindwings |
Thickened costal vein; simplified venation |
Bright orange/yellow; "puddling" for minerals |
Common Blue |
Polyommatus icarus |
Lycaenidae |
3–4 |
Rounded, compact; short tails (sometimes) |
Reduced venation; compact discal cell |
Sexual dimorphism (blue males, brown females); ant mutualism |
| Small Copper |
Lycaena phlaeas |
Lycaenidae |
3–4 |
Angular forewings; rounded hindwings |
|
Rapid flight; basks with wings open to absorb heat |
| Hairstreak |
Strymon melinus |
Lycaenidae |
2.5–3.8 |
Tailed hindwings (filamentous); forewings triangular. |
Veins M2 and M3 absent; false head pattern near tail. |
Tail mimics antennae to misdirect predators. |
| Small Copper |
Lycaena phlaeas |
Lycaenidae |
2.5–3.5 |
Small, rounded with angular scalloped margins; forewings rounded hindwings. |
Veins R4 and R5 fused; short antennaedistinct marginal banding veins; copper hue, with white tips |
Rapid flight; basks with wings open to absorb heat, symbiosis with ants (myrmecophily); bright copper coloration. |
| Harvester |
Feniseca tarquinius |
Lycaenidae |
2.3–3.2 |
Rounded, small; no tails |
Simplified venation; translucent patches |
Only carnivorous butterfly (eats aphids) |
| Karner Blue |
Lycaeides melissa samuelis |
Lycaenidae |
2.5–3.0 |
Rounded, small; tiny tails |
Compact venation; reduced wing area |
Endangered; obligate relationship with wild lupine |
| Atlas Moth |
Attacus atlas |
Saturniidae |
25–30 |
Broad, flat with wing tips resembling snake heads; angular margins. |
Veins heavily branched; no proboscis (non-feeding as adult). |
Largest wingspan of any moth; camouflage as dead leaf. |