Our Butterflies
Painted Lady
The Painted Lady is highly tolerant of different habitats. It can be found in the deserts of southern British Columbia and on the tundra, as well as in heavily wooded areas. It's a butterfly commonly found in and around marshes, and roadsides, as well as farmers' fields, areas where thistles abound.
Monarch
The Monarch is the best known of all migratory butterflies, and the only one with a well-documented return migration. Its migratory tendencies enabled it to spread over most of North America in the 1800s, probably coinciding with the clearing of the forests of eastern North America and a vast increase in the population of both Common Milkweed and Monarchs.
Red Admiral
This is a conspicuous and aggressive butterfly that often claims a territory, like a road through a woods or even a parking lot, and defends it against all comers. Its habitat preferences vary widely, from clearings in woods to vacant lots in downtown areas. An avid flower visitor, it is regularly seen in gardens.
Black Swallowtail
This handsome swallowtail is often found in and around gardens because of its larval food plants and its fondness for flowers as an adult. In wilder areas it is usually seen near damp meadows and can be found occasionally sipping at wet sand.
Buckeye
The Common Buckeye is usually seen flying in disturbed areas where its weedy food plants are found. It has a rapid flight and is very territorial.
The Painted Lady is highly tolerant of different habitats. It can be found in the deserts of southern British Columbia and on the tundra, as well as in heavily wooded areas. It's a butterfly commonly found in and around marshes, and roadsides, as well as farmers' fields, areas where thistles abound.
Monarch
The Monarch is the best known of all migratory butterflies, and the only one with a well-documented return migration. Its migratory tendencies enabled it to spread over most of North America in the 1800s, probably coinciding with the clearing of the forests of eastern North America and a vast increase in the population of both Common Milkweed and Monarchs.
Red Admiral
This is a conspicuous and aggressive butterfly that often claims a territory, like a road through a woods or even a parking lot, and defends it against all comers. Its habitat preferences vary widely, from clearings in woods to vacant lots in downtown areas. An avid flower visitor, it is regularly seen in gardens.
Black Swallowtail
This handsome swallowtail is often found in and around gardens because of its larval food plants and its fondness for flowers as an adult. In wilder areas it is usually seen near damp meadows and can be found occasionally sipping at wet sand.
Buckeye
The Common Buckeye is usually seen flying in disturbed areas where its weedy food plants are found. It has a rapid flight and is very territorial.