Butterflies in Canada. Canada is home to a diverse array of butterfly species, each with its unique characteristics and habitats.
Canada offers a rich tapestry of butterfly diversity, from the majestic Monarchs with their vibrant orange and black wings to the delicate Azure Butterflies with their dusky gray and cornflower blue hues.
Our post will list some of the butterflies in Canada known for their friendly nature and tendency to land on humans.
Examples like the Viceroy butterflies showcase stunning orange coloring with black edges and white spots.
Whether you’re exploring moist wooded areas, suburban yards, or open meadows, butterflies in Canada are a captivating sight to behold. Let’s dive in!
1. Red Admiral
The Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) is one of the prominent butterflies in Canada.
It is known for its striking appearance and widespread distribution.
Red Admirals have wingspans ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 centimeters. They are dark brown with a reddish circular band and white spots.
What sets them apart is the resemblance of their underside to tree bark.
These beautiful butterflies in Canada are commonly spotted near the edges of forests in moist habitats.
One fascinating characteristic of Red Admirals is their calm and approachable nature. They are known to be very calm and often land on humans, making them easy to observe.
They are also recognized as the most widespread butterflies in Canada. Their caterpillars, with pinkish-gray to charcoal bodies and spines resembling hairs, can be found feeding on host plants.
The Red Admiral is a captivating butterfly that adds vibrancy to the Canadian landscape while offering enthusiasts and observers a delightful sight.
2. Painted Lady
The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is also one of the butterflies in Canada.
It has a 4.5 to 6.5 centimeters wingspan and is known for its pinkish-orange coloring with dark brown to black markings near the wingtips. The wings also feature white spots inside the black markings.
In Canada, Painted Lady butterflies can be found in quiet, undisturbed open areas such as roadsides, pastures, and gardens.
They migrate south to Mexico over winter and return in the spring. Their caterpillars have variable coloring, ranging from greenish-yellow to charcoal, with light-colored spots.
Painted Lady butterflies are beautiful and fascinating in their migratory behavior. They are a common sight and can be easily observed in Canada.
3. Monarch
The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is one of Canada’s most easily recognized butterflies.
It has a wingspan of 8 to 10 centimeters and features a distinctive coloring of orange with black veins and white dots lining the outside edge of the wings.
Monarch caterpillars are plump, with black, white, and yellow bands and tentacles on each end of their body.
Monarchs are famous for their color pattern and migration. They are known for their annual long-distance journey from Canada to Mexico, covering thousands of kilometers.
Their migration is considered one of the most remarkable natural phenomena.
Monarchs are found in various habitats, including meadows, gardens, and open woodlands. Planting milkweed is crucial for attracting these butterflies to your garden in Canada.
Milkweed is a host plant for their caterpillars and provides nectar for adult butterflies.
4. American Lady
The American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) is a butterfly species found in Canada. Here’s some information about the American Lady:
American Lady butterflies have a wingspan of 4.5 to 6.5 centimeters. The coloring of this species is a brilliant orange with dark borders and markings and white and purple spots.
The underwings have an ornate pattern similar to a cobweb.
American Lady butterflies can be found in various habitats, including meadows, open fields, and gardens.
They are known to migrate and can often be seen in groups during their migratory flights. Their caterpillars feed on plants like asters and sunflowers.
To attract American Lady butterflies to your garden, consider planting their preferred host plants, such as asters and sunflowers.
Providing nectar-rich flowers like coneflowers, zinnias, and butterfly bushes will also attract them.
The American Lady is a beautiful butterfly species that add color and vibrancy to the Canadian butterfly.
5. Viceroy
The Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) is a butterfly in Canada. It is known for its resemblance to the Monarch butterfly but can be distinguished by a black line on the bottom wing, which is absent in Monarchs.
These Canadian butterflies have a wingspan of 6.5 to 9 centimeters. Their coloring is deep orange with black edges and veins, along with white spots on the black border.
6. Hackberry Emperor
The Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) is a butterfly species found in Canada. Here is some information about the Hackberry Emperor:
Hackberry Emperors have a wingspan of 5 to 7 centimeters. They have an intricate pattern with amber brown and nearly black colors, orange-ringed eyespots, and many dark brown and white spots.
The caterpillars are light green with two yellow stripes on the back, two short spines on the head, and two small tails on the rear end.
Hackberry Emperor butterflies can be found in moist wooded areas, parks, and suburban yards in Canada.
Hackberry Emperors don’t eat flower nectar like many other butterflies. Instead, they feed on sap, dung, carrion, rotting fruit, and even ingest sodium from human skin.
They have a diverse and less picky diet compared to other butterfly species.
Hackberry Emperors are naturally curious and may even land on humans who are near them.
They have a unique habit of finding minerals to survive in places like soil, rocks, pavement, and drinking water from rain puddles.
The Hackberry Emperor is one of Canada’s most interesting and common butterflies.
7. White Admiral
The White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis arthemis) is a butterfly species found in Canada.
It has a 7.5—to 10-centimeter wingspan and is characterized by its black wings with a bright white band in the center of the upper wings.
The caterpillars of these butterflies in Canada are mottled brown, cream, and yellow, with lumpy body sections and twig-like horns.
They are active from April to October, mainly during their mating season.
8. Mourning Cloak
The Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) is a beautiful butterfly found in Canada. Its wingspan ranges from 7.5 to 10 centimeters and is easily identifiable by its striking coloring.
The upper side of its wings is black with an iridescent sheen, while the outer edge is adorned with a row of purple spots and a yellow border.
Its caterpillars are black with white specks and red spots on their backs.
Mourning Cloak butterflies are commonly found near deciduous forests but can also be spotted in suburban yards, parks, and golf courses.
They are known for their resilience and adaptability to various habitats.
Despite being widespread, these butterflies in Canada can be elusive due to their preference for solitary habits and excellent camouflage when their wings are folded.
Mourning Cloaks are often the first butterflies to become active in the spring, and some adults remain active even during winter on warm days.
Their unique beauty and early appearance make them fascinating species to observe in the wild.
9. Pearl Crescent
The Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) is a beautiful butterfly species found in Canada.
Its wingspan of about 4 centimeters showcases bright orange coloring with black borders, spots, and lines.
The intricate pattern created by the black markings resembles delicate lace. Pearl Crescent butterflies’ caterpillars are dark brown, with cream stripes and spines covering their bodies.
You can spot these butterflies in Canada near moist ground. They prefer open and sunny habitats such as forest edges, fields, meadows, and gardens.
These butterflies are particularly attracted to Aster plants, which serve as the preferred host for their caterpillars.
If you have flowering plants in your yard, they can also help attract these beautiful butterflies in Canada, although finding native plants in your area would yield the best results.
The Pearl Crescent butterflies do not migrate but hibernate as caterpillars during winter, emerging in spring along with the new growth of their host plants.
10. Question Mark
The Question Mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis) is a fascinating species found in Canada.
With a 5 to 7 centimeters wingspan, this butterfly displays a deep orange coloring with black spots and a lavender edge.
Its caterpillars are gray to black with spines on the side and orange and cream stripes.
In Canada, these butterflies can be spotted in moist woodlands and forest edges where their preferred host plants, elm trees and nettle, are abundant.
One intriguing characteristic of the Question Mark butterfly is its camouflage strategy.
While the upper side of its wings showcases bright coloring, the lower side is mottled brown, resembling a dead leaf when resting on branches.
This adaptation helps the butterfly blend into its environment and avoid predators.
Another distinctive feature is a light-colored marking on the underside of its wing, which somewhat resembles a roughly drawn question mark, giving the butterfly its name.
Another species with similar traits, the Eastern Comma butterfly (Polygonia comma), shares the same habitat and is often found alongside the Question Mark.
11. Eastern Comma
Next on our list of butterflies in Canada is The Eastern Comma butterfly (Polygonia comma).
With a wingspan of 5 to 6 centimeters, it displays a striking combination of orange and black mottling on its upper wings, while the lower wings are primarily black with some orange spots.
The name “Eastern Comma” comes from the unique marking on the underside of its wings, which resembles a roughly drawn question mark.
This butterfly thrives in various habitats, including deciduous forests, suburban yards, and parks. Its caterpillars rely on nettle and elm trees as hosts.
Interestingly, Eastern Comma butterflies have different feeding habits compared to most butterflies.
Instead of being attracted to flowers, they prefer to feed on rotting fruit, carrion, and animal dung.
So, while it may not be a species you’d typically want to attract to your yard, Eastern Comma butterflies play an important role in their natural ecosystems.
You won’t believe these butterflies in Canada hibernate as adults during the winter, seeking shelter in log piles, tree hollows, and other protected areas.
They emerge for their mating season in early spring, and new generations become active in early summer.
12. Variegated Fritillary
The Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) is a captivating butterfly species found in Canada.
With a wingspan of 4 to 5 centimeters, it showcases a stunning coloration of tawny brown to burnt orange adorned with black dots and lines.
The outer edge of its wings is beautifully lined in black, adding to its striking appearance.
One notable feature of the Variegated Fritillary is its exquisite chrysalis. The chrysalis is the protective shell where the caterpillar transforms remarkably into an adult butterfly.
It exhibits a pearly white color and shiny gold spikes, resembling an exquisite jeweled pendant.
To spot this enchanting butterfly, one can explore meadows, fields, and pastures in Canada, where it is commonly found.
Planting milkweed, butterfly weed, thistles, or goldenrod can attract more of these graceful butterflies in Canada to your garden, providing a delightful spectacle of nature’s beauty.
13. Great Spangled Fritillary
The Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) is one of Canada’s most beautiful butterflies, with a wingspan of 4 to 5 centimeters.
Its coloring ranges from tawny brown to burnt orange, adorned with black dots and lines.
The outer edge of its wings is lined in black, adding to its striking appearance. This species can be spotted in Canada’s meadows, fields, and pastures.
One notable feature of the Variegated Fritillary is its exquisite chrysalis, which serves as the transformation chamber for the caterpillar.
The chrysalis resembles a precious jeweled pendant with its pearly white color and shiny gold spikes.
The adult butterflies emerge from these chrysalises, showcasing their vibrant colors and intricate patterns.
To attract more of these butterflies to your area in Canada, consider planting milkweed, butterfly weed, thistles, or goldenrod, as these species favor these plants.
Observing the delicate flight and vibrant beauty of the Variegated Fritillary butterfly.
14. Aphrodite Fritillary
The Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite) is a beautiful butterfly in Canada’s meadows, fields, and pastures.
With wingspans ranging from 5 to 8 centimeters, these butterflies in Canada display a vibrant yellow-orange coloring with a network of black webbing and dots.
On the underside of their wings, you can observe black-ringed blueish-white dots, adding to their stunning appearance.
Regarding their life cycle, the Aphrodite Fritillary caterpillar’s host plant is violets. Therefore, planting violets in your garden will attract adult Aphrodite Fritillaries.
These butterflies lay their eggs on the ground near the violet plants, and when the eggs hatch, the caterpillars crawl to the violets to hibernate.
Additionally, these butterflies in Canada are attracted to many flowers in a typical butterfly garden, so creating a diverse floral environment can help spot more of them.
The Aphrodite Fritillary is a captivating species to observe in its natural habitat.
With their distinctive coloring and preference for meadows and fields, they contribute to the beauty of Canada’s butterfly diversity.
15. Meadow Fritillary
The Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona) is a beautiful butterfly species found in Canada.
With a 4 to 5 5-centimeter wingspan, these butterflies showcase vibrant yellow-orange coloring with dusky black splotches.
What makes them fascinating is their ability to camouflage themselves. The underside of their wings resembles a dead leaf, blending seamlessly with their surroundings.
Meadow Fritillaries are quite common within their range and can be found in various habitats, including meadows, fields, and pastures.
They belong to the brush-foot family and are active throughout the summer season.
Planting violet flowers in your garden is a great idea to attract these butterflies to Canada, as their caterpillars use violets as their host plant.
Many other flowers in a typical butterfly garden can also serve as nectar sources for adult Meadow Fritillaries.
Observing the Meadow Fritillary is a delightful experience, as their vibrant colors and unique wing patterns make them stand out in natural landscapes.
Creating a suitable habitat and providing the necessary host and nectar plants can contribute to the conservation and enjoyment of these lovely butterflies in Canada.
16. Silver-Bordered Fritillary
The Silver-Bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) is a small and rare butterfly species in Canada.
It has a wingspan of approximately 4 to 5 centimeters. This butterfly displays vibrant colors and intricate markings.
Its wings are bright orange with irregular black markings. They have a thin white edge and a thick black border with orange dots inside.
The undersides of their wings are adorned with metallic, silvery dots along the edge, giving them their distinct name.
The Silver-Bordered Fritillary prefers habitats of wet grasslands, although these areas are often converted into agricultural fields, leading to a decline in their population.
Despite their challenges, it is still possible to attract these butterflies to your garden in Canada by planting violets for their caterpillars or providing thistle as a nectar flower.
When observing the Silver-Bordered Fritillary, please keep your eyes on the grass as they fly close to the ground in quick, jerky movements.
Look out for streaks of orange, and you may be rewarded with a glimpse of this beautiful and elusive species.
17. Common Wood-Nymph
The Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) is ending our list of beautiful butterflies in Canada.
With a wingspan ranging from 5 to 8 centimeters, this butterfly is characterized by its shades of brown coloring and dark eyespots.
The caterpillars of Common Wood-Nymphs are yellow-green with dark green stripes and white hairs, adding to their unique appearance.
These adaptable butterflies can be found in various habitats, including open forests, meadows, agricultural fields, and salt marshes.
They have an interesting life cycle where their caterpillars hatch late in the fall and hibernate through the winter.
Common Wood-Nymphs are most active during late summer and early fall, their mating season.
While they occasionally feed on flower nectar, they prefer to sustain themselves by feeding rotting fruit or decaying plants.
If you’re interested in attracting Common Wood Nymphs to your yard, providing a food source like rotting fruit can help attract these fascinating butterflies to Canada.
