Butterflies in North Carolina: A Dazzling Variety to Discover

North Carolina is home to a stunning diversity of butterfly species. From vibrant swallowtails to tiny skippers, there are over 100 species that either live here year-round or pass through during spring and fall migrations. Whether you’re an avid lepidopterist or simply enjoy seeing these winged beauties in your garden, North Carolina has an abundance of butterflies to discover.

Native Species Dazzle with Vibrant Colors

Some of the most spectacular butterflies found in North Carolina are native species like the state butterfly, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Its wingspan can reach up to 5.5 inches, and its yellow and black coloring really pops. Other swallowtail species here include the Pipevine, Spicebush, Palamedes, and Zebra Swallowtail.

The Monarch is arguably North Carolina’s most beloved butterfly. Its bright orange wings outlined in black make it instantly recognizable. Monarchs pass through the state in fall and spring during their epic migration to and from Mexico.

Brush-footed butterflies also add splashes of color. Red Admirals and American Ladies flash their orange-and-black wings in woodlands and gardens. Variegated and Gulf Fritillaries display ornate orange patterns, while Common Buckeyes have eye-catching brown wings marked with colorful spots.

Tiny Skippers Add Motion and Whimsy

While the large swallowtails and brush-footed butterflies get most of the attention, North Carolina is also home to many tiny skipper species that dart rapidly through open fields and woodland edges.

Silver-spotted, Fiery, and Sachem Skippers are some of the most frequently seen. Only growing to about an inch long, their fast, erratic flight makes them a challenge to identify. Other skippers include the Common Checkered-Skipper with its checkerboard-like pattern and the Long-tailed Skipper with elongated hind wings.

Skippers add fun motion and whimsy to any butterfly watching Seeing a 1/2 inch skipper moving at lightning speed from flower to flower will bring a smile to your face

Spring and Summer Offer Peak Abundance

Butterfly diversity and numbers peak from April through September in most parts of North Carolina. Some species emerge early like Mourning Cloaks and Question Marks. Common spring butterflies include Pearl Crescents, Falcate Orangetips, and Juvenal’s Duskywings.

Summer brings a wider variety and greater numbers in the mountain forests, piedmont meadows, and coastal plains. Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, Red-spotted Purples, Great Spangled Fritillaries, and Common Buckeyes fly in sunshine-filled clearings. Summer Azure, Gray Hairstreak, Red-banded Hairstreak, and Peck’s Skippers frequent numerous meadow wildflowers.

Fall butterfly diversity declines, but migrating Monarchs pass through starting in September, sometimes in waves numbering in the hundreds. Migrating Cloudless Sulphurs fly closer to the ground in fall, making them easier to spot than in spring.

Take a Close Look at Caterpillars Too

To fully appreciate butterflies, be sure to look for their fascinating caterpillars as well. Many swallowtail caterpillars mimic bird droppings with their brown-and-white striped appearance. Spicebush Swallowtail larvae have fake eyespots to startle predators. Black Swallowtail caterpillars even emit a foul odor when threatened!

When you find a caterpillar munching on leaves, see if you can identify the butterfly or moth it will eventually transform into. Raising caterpillars into butterflies is an educational and fulfilling experience.

Attract Them to Your Own Butterfly Garden

You can easily attract a variety of butterflies to your yard by planting some of their favorite nectar sources. Native plants like milkweed, joe pye weed, asters, and goldenrod will bring in the most species. Include some perching spots like flat rocks or logs where butterflies can sun themselves and watch for mates.

A butterfly garden not only adds winged beauty to your landscape, but it also provides critical habitat for these valuable pollinators. By making your yard butterfly friendly, you’ll be rewarded with hours of enjoyment observing all the species that visit.

The dazzling diversity of butterflies in North Carolina is a sight to behold. Keep your eyes open while hiking forest trails, strolling through meadows, or tending your garden, and you’ll experience the magic of spotting these colorful flying flowers. A fluttering flash of wings can brighten up even the most ordinary day.