Butterflies are a well-loved insect in the state of Arkansas, and this is proven by their annual Butterfly Festival held at Mount Magazine State Park. Each fall, at the peak of the butterfly season, the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks holds what they call Butterfly Days.
It is estimated that there are somewhere around 160 butterfly species found in Arkansas, though some are more likely to be spotted than others. This list will take us through 13 types of butterflies found in the state.
13 butterflies found in Arkansas
1. Mourning cloak
Scientific Name: Nymphalis antiopa
The Mourning Cloak is most notable for the black color that stretches across most of its wings. The wings also have a golden yellow edge, and blue spots.
While they are commonly found in Arkansas, they can also be seen in nearly every other state in the country. It is one of the few butterfly species that hibernates in the winter. This makes them most active during spring and summer months.
The mourning cloaks are drawn to running water and sunny areas. They can typically be found near streams, creeks, and meadows.
2. Skippers
Scientific name: Hesperia comma
Skippers are small butterflies that closely resemble moths. While some might have longer wings than others, they don’t reach the size of most other butterflies. Their coloring is usually brown or gray, but in less common instances they might be seen with yellow, red, or blue.
Skippers are often found in sunny meadows or gardens. They can also be seen in swamps where they will sometimes feed off of mud.
3. Common buckeye
Scientific name: Junonia coenia
This butterfly is common in many regions in the U.S., including Arkansas. They are often found as far South as Mexico, and can thrive with low amounts of vegetation. Common Buckeyes are known for their gray coloring with spots of orange, and circular markings on their wings.
Adults can reach a wing span of 2.5 inches. Since these butterflies can’t handle extreme cold, they migrate starting in September or October.
4. American Lady
Scientific name: Vanessa virginiensis
American Lady butterflies are commonly found in Arkansas, as well as most of North America. They prefer flying in open spaces, like meadows, fields, or even near roadsides.
Their wings are a reddish orange color with black edges. American ladies have two eyespots under their wings, while the similar Painted Lady has four eyespots.
5. Orange sulphur
Scientific name: Colias eurytheme
The orange sulphur butterfly is also known as the alfalfa butterfly due to its coloring. As the name suggests, these insects can be found near alfalfa fields, but they live in most of the United States.
It can also be seen in parts of southern Canada and Mexico. This medium sized butterfly only grows to be around 2 inches.
6. Red-banded hairstreak
Scientific name: Calycopis cecrops
Hairstreak butterflies are common in Arkansas, and red-banded are just one type of them. Hairstreaks are small butterflies, named by the marks present on the outside of their wings.
They can be seen in the southern U.S. most of the year, but fly north from April to October. They prefer to hang out near forest edges, but can also be found in overgrown fields.
7. Little wood satyr
Scientific name: Megisto cymela
Little wood satyrs can often be found during autumn in Arkansas. They like to fly around forest floors where leaves have fallen. They use these spots to enjoy warm rays of sunlight.
While these small butterflies enjoy the sunlight, they tend to stick to more wooded areas. Their wingspan barely reaches over an inch and a half.
8. Giant swallowtail
Scientific name: Papilio cresphontes
The giant swallowtail is the largest butterfly in North America, and it can be commonly found in Arkansas. These insects are found from the east to west coast, and even as far down as into Panama. The giant swallowtail is a beautiful addition to many gardens, but they can wreak havoc as caterpillars.
In addition to gardens, they prefer to live in forests and citrus orchards. While common in most of North America, they spend winter in Southern regions.
9. Small copper
Scientific name: Lycaena phlaeas
The small copper butterfly is also referred to as the common copper, or American copper butterfly. These insects are widespread, and can thrive in several different types of habitats, but they prefer warm areas.
They can be found in grasslands, clearings, and more land. Small coppers are likely to be aggressive to other bugs, and typically only travel in pairs or alone.
10. Summer azure
Scientific name: Celastrina neglecta
The Summer azure butterflies are known for their pale blue wings, with a dusting of white. They are small insects, barely growing over an inch long.
Summer azures are found across the east coast and central U.S., as well as southern Canada. They can spend up to three generations in the South, and fly from June to October.
11. White admiral
Scientific name: Limenitis arthemis
The white admiral, often confused with the red-spotted purple, is commonly found through several regions in the U.S. They can live as far north as Alaska and some pets of Canada since they can withstand deep cold weather. They prefer wooded areas, but can also be found in the suburbs of Arkansas.
This medium sized butterfly can reach up to 3.5 inches long, and has black wings with patches of blue. They typically spend up to two generations in Florida.
12. Diana fritillary
Scientific name: Speyeria diana
A list of butterflies in Arkansas would be incomplete without mentioning the Diana fritillary, the state’s official butterfly. The male butterflies have wings with burnt orange edges while the females are a dark blue color.
They are mostly found along the Arkansas River valley, as well as the Appalachians. The Diana fritillary can reach up to 4.5 inches long, prefer to hang out in wooded areas.
13. Ozark swallowtail
Scientific name: Papilio joanae
At one time the Ozark swallowtail was considered a synonym for the black swallowtail, but it has since been considered its own butterfly. These large insects can reach anywhere from 3 to a little over 4 inches long.
They are more common in the northern region of Arkansas, as well as Missouri and western Kentucky. They prefer to live near woodlands and cedar blades.
WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature.