Arizona’s diverse landscapes, from deserts to mountains to canyons provide habitats for over 300 species of butterflies. These winged beauties add a dash of color and beauty to the state. Arizona’s climate allows butterflies to be active year-round, with peak seasons in spring and fall when many migratory species pass through.
For butterfly enthusiasts Arizona offers many opportunities to spot a wide array of species. Here is an overview of some of the state’s most common and beautiful butterflies.
Prominent Butterfly Families in Arizona
Swallowtails
Swallowtails are large colorful butterflies with wingspans up to 6 inches. Arizona’s state butterfly, the Two-tailed Swallowtail, is found across the state along with other swallowtails like Pipevine, Black, and Western Tiger.
Pipevine Swallowtails mimic the toxic Monarch’s appearance as a defense mechanism. The caterpillars eat pipevine plants, making them unpalatable to predators.
Monarchs
The iconic Monarch butterfly migrates through Arizona on its way to and from wintering grounds in Mexico and California. Milkweed, their host plant, can be found throughout the state.
Some Monarchs have been observed overwintering in southern Arizona near Lake Havasu. Their bright orange wings make them easy to identify.
Queens and Viceroys
Two more mimics, Queens and Viceroys, copy the Monarch’s appearance to fool predators. Queens are mostly brown with black and white spots on their wings. Viceroys have orange wings with thick black borders and veins.
Snouts
Snout butterflies have elongated mouthparts giving them a distinct nose-like look. The American Snout’s camouflage allows it to resemble dead leaves when resting with wings closed.
Skippers
Skippers have stocky, hairy bodies and hooked antennae. They have a quick, darting flight and are found in canyons, washes, and scrublands across Arizona.
Hairstreaks
Small Lycaenids like hairstreaks have vibrant iridescent markings. Look for wispy wing tails and black-and-white striped antennae. Gray hairstreaks are common in the state.
Metalmarks
Metalmarks get their name from the metallic marks on their wings. Look for them perching flat on the undersides of leaves with their wings spread open. Arizona is home to the Fatal and Palmer’s metalmark.
Sulphurs and Whites
Small white or yellow Pieridae butterflies do not have markings on their wings. Commonly seen sulphurs and whites in Arizona include the Orange Sulphur, Sleepy Orange, and Checkered White.
When and Where to See Butterflies in Arizona
Butterflies are most active in spring and fall but can be observed year-round in the state. Some key spots for butterfly watching include:
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Red Rock State Park – A Monarch Waystation with milkweed and nectar plants.
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Oracle State Park – Along the migration path with seasonal population bursts.
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Tubac Presidio State Park – Gardens with zinnias, sunflowers, and other blooms.
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Cattail Cove State Park – Monarch habitat garden near the Lake Havasu migration site.
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Tonto Natural Bridge State Park – Restored meadow and riparian habitat.
Tips for Butterfly Watching
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Look for sunny spots with flowers and caterpillar host plants.
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Bring binoculars, a camera, and a field guide.
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Note the habitat and behavior like mud-puddling and perching.
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Sit still – quick movements will scare butterflies away.
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Peak times are mid-morning to early afternoon on warm, sunny days.
Creating a Butterfly-Friendly Habitat
Here are some tips for making your yard or garden butterfly-friendly:
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Plant nectar sources like lantana, zinnias, and pentas.
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Include caterpillar host plants such as milkweed, passionflower, and hackberry.
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Group plants together rather than spreading them out.
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Provide moist soil or rocks for mud-puddling.
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Add nectar plants with different bloom times to provide nectar spring through fall.
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Shelter from wind and cold helps butterflies conserve energy.
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Avoid pesticides which can harm butterflies and caterpillars.
Enjoying Arizona’s Butterflies
With their vibrant colors, delicate flight, and incredible migrations, butterflies captivate us. Taking time to observe them provides relaxation and connection with nature. Watching caterpillars transform into butterflies reminds us of nature’s amazing cycles.
Getting involved with conservation efforts helps protect essential habitat for the next generation of butterflies. However you choose to enjoy them, Arizona’s remarkable diversity of butterflies offers something for everyone.
Arizona
The information in this state update was provided by Gail Morris, [email protected]. Please contact her for additional information about the update.
INTRODUCTION
Arizona is a gateway for migrating monarchs flying through our region each Spring and Fall from both California and Mexico. From the floors of the lower deserts rising to the high Colorado plateau, monarchs encounter a multitude of climate zones, each with its own gifts of abundant milkweed species and nectar as well as many challenges. As Dr. Fred Urquhart once noted when studying monarchs in our state, Arizona is also a winter home to small numbers of monarchs in the lower deserts each year, some breeding, others nonbreeding.
Arizona is second only to Texas in the sheer number of approximately 30 native Asclepias (milkweed) species across our multiple elevations and climate zones. We are unique in hosting evergreen milkweeds in the lower deserts, always available to monarchs whenever they visit our way.
Monarchs are present in Arizona all year, but no single location has monarchs present throughout all twelve months. Every year monarchs leave the hotter desert locations in May as high temperatures soar above 100°F. They can still be found in the higher elevations of the state especially above 5,000 feet elevation during the summer months. We welcome their return to the middle and lower elevations each Fall.
Southwest Monarch Study | www.swmonarchs.org; [email protected]
Arizona Monarch Collaborative | https://www.azmonarchcollaborative.com
Journey North: Since 2007 monarch enthusiasts in Arizona have reported monarch sightings to Journey North. Send your monarch sightings here to add to this important knowledge bank: Journey North Monarch Sightings. To help everyone understand the importance and movement of monarchs West of the Rocky Mountains we now partner with Journey North to provide Western Monarch News during the Spring and Fall Migrations. Read more here: Journey North Western Monarch Migration Update. We are especially looking for sighting information of monarchs on native milkweed or on any nectar sources to learn more about their preferences.
Monarch Larva Monitoring Project offers training for weekly monitoring of your milkweed patch.
Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program is a national program to collect milkweed, nectar plant, and monarch use data from a variety of land-use types and regions.
Project Monarch Health is a citizen science project training volunteers to sample wild monarchs to help track the spread of a protozoan parasite across North America.
Southwest Monarch Study is a community science research organization dedicated to learning about the migration destination of monarchs by tagging; monitoring monarchs during their breeding season and offering education and training opportunities around the southwest.
Butterfly Wonderland In Phoenix, Arizona | Must Do Travels
FAQ
What is the most common butterfly in Arizona?
There are roughly 560 species worldwide with 30 species found in North America, half of which have been recorded in Arizona. Pipevine swallowtail and giant swallowtail are the most common species around Tucson, with black swallowtail sometimes found in vegetable gardens.
What are the big black and yellow butterflies in Arizona?
Papilionidae (Swallowtails)
Swallowtails are the largest species of butterflies in the United States, with wingspans that can range up to 6 inches! In addition to black and yellow-streaked Two-Tailed, Black, and Western Tiger Swallowtails, the vibrant blue Pipevine Swallowtail is an Arizona wildlife observer’s delight!
Does Arizona have a state butterfly?
The two-tailed swallowtail butterfly became the state butterfly in 2001. Swallowtails are the largest species of butterflies in the United States. It features a wingspan of 3 1/2 to 5 1/2 inches long.
What are the five most common butterflies?
- WESTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL (Papilio rutulus) …
- TWO-TAILED TIGER SWALLOWTAIL (Papilio multicaudata) …
- BLACK SWALLOWTAIL (Papilio polyxenes coloro) …
- MONARCH (Danaus plexippus) …
- QUEEN (Danaus gilippus) …
- WEIDEMEYER’S ADMIRAL (Basilarchia weidemeyerii) …
- CALIFORNIA SISTER (Adelpha bredowii)
Are there butterflies found in Arizona?
Yes, there are butterflies in Arizona. The state is home to five families of ‘true’ butterflies: Gossamer-winged Butterflies (Lycaenidae), Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae), Swallowtails (Papilionidae), Whites, Yellows, and Sulphurs (Pieridae), and Metalmarks (Riodinidae).
Are checkered white butterflies common in Arizona?
Checkered White butterflies are common in Arizona. One of the most fascinating characteristics of this butterfly is its ability to use UV signals to communicate. These amazing insects can tell the difference between males and females of their species based on the UV radiation they give off!
What is the largest butterfly in Arizona?
Swallowtails are the largest species of butterflies in the United States, with wingspans that can range up to 6 inches! In addition to black and yellow-streaked Two-Tailed, Black, and Western Tiger Swallowtails, the vibrant blue Pipevine Swallowtail is an Arizona wildlife observer’s delight!
What are Arizona Siste butterflies?
The butterfly is also a common sight across oak woodlands. With some blue overlays across the wings, Arizona Siste butterflies tend to stand out. They also stand out due to their size as they have a wingspan that measures anywhere between 3 and 5 inches.
What butterflies eat in Arizona?
Monarchs are easily the most recognized butterfly in Arizona! They are famous for their color pattern and migration. Look for Monarchs anywhere there is milkweed, which is the only food source their caterpillars eat. Most people are familiar with the declining population of Monarchs.
Where can I find American lady butterflies in Arizona?
Look for American Lady butterflies in Arizona near open landscapes with leafy, flowering plants. On the underside of the wings, American Lady butterflies have eyespots. These circular markings make the butterfly look intimidating to predators, warding off potential danger.