Delaware is home to an amazing variety of butterflies, and if you’re a fan of these beautiful insects, then this is the perfect place for you.
Let’s journey together to explore the unique butterflies in Delaware and discover some of the incredible species in the First State.
From the rare monarch butterfly to the bright-winged skipper, we’ll cover the different types of butterflies that call Delaware home and the best places to see them.
So get ready to explore these beautiful butterflies in Delaware, and don’t forget your butterfly net!
1. Little Wood Satyr
The Little Wood Satyr butterfly, also known as the Common Wood Satyr, is one of the butterflies in Delaware.
The best part is that they can be found in Delaware’s wooded areas during the summer months.
These small brown butterflies have two distinctive eye-like spots on their wings, believed to deter predators.
The Little Wood Satyr feeds on the nectar of flowers and lays its eggs on the leaves of grasses and sedges.
While they may not be the most colorful or showy butterfly species, their role in the ecosystem is crucial as a food source for other animals and pollinators for plants.
Watch for these little butterflies in Delaware fluttering among the trees on your next hike through the woods.
2. American Snout
The American Snout is a unique butterfly species that can be found in Delaware.
What sets this butterfly apart is its distinct snout-like projection on its face. The snout can vary in size and shape depending on the individual butterfly.
The American Snout can be found in open woodlands, fields, and meadows throughout the state.
Its coloring is brownish-gray with white spots, and its wingspan ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
This butterfly species feeds on nectar from various plants, such as the blue mist flower and the lantana.
The American Snout is a fascinating butterfly to observe and plays an important pollination role.
3. Azure
The Azure butterfly, also known as the Spring Azure, is one of Delaware’s most common sight butterflies during spring.
These delicate creatures can be found fluttering around meadows and fields and are known for their stunning blue hue.
They are typically small, with a wingspan of about one inch and a light gray underside.
One interesting fact about the Azure butterflies is that they often form mating chains, where one male will mate with multiple females in a row.
These charming little butterflies in Delaware are a lovely addition to any outdoor setting and can be enjoyed by nature lovers of all ages.
4. Eastern Tailed-Blue
The Eastern Tailed Blue is a small and delicate butterfly with a wingspan of only about an inch. Its wings are bright blue on the upper side with a brown border and white fringe.
The undersides of its wings are a light gray with small black spots and a small “tail” at the end of each hindwing.
This butterfly is commonly found in meadows and open areas with low-growing vegetation and can often be seen fluttering around clovers and other small flowers.
It is most active during the warmest part of the day. It is most commonly seen during the summer months.
The Eastern Tailed-Blue, including Delaware, can be found throughout the eastern United States.
Its larvae feed on the flowers and buds of plants in the pea family, such as clover, alfalfa, and wild indigo.
The Eastern Tailed Blue is a beautiful and fascinating butterfly that is worth spotting during a hike or nature walk in Delaware.
5. Hackberry Emperor
The Hackberry Emperor is a butterfly species commonly found in Delaware, especially during summer.
This butterfly species is relatively small, with a wingspan of about two inches. It is a distinct brown color with light markings.
You won’t believe the Hackberry Emperor is unique because it feeds primarily on the sap of trees such as hackberry, elm, and oak, as well as rotting fruit and animal droppings.
The Hackberry Emperor can be easily spotted in Delaware’s forested areas, particularly the Delaware State Forest, Cape Henlopen State Park, and the Great Cypress Swamp.
If you are lucky enough to spot one of these butterflies in Delaware, take a moment to observe its unique pattern and colors and appreciate its role as a pollinator in our ecosystem.
6. Red Admiral
The Red Admiral is a beautiful butterfly with striking black and red-orange colors on its wings.
They are one of the most commonly found butterflies in Delaware. And can be seen fluttering around gardens, fields, and even parks.
Red Admirals prefer to feed on sap, fermenting fruit, and even bird droppings instead of nectar, making them quite an unusual butterfly species.
Interestingly, Red Admirals are known to migrate long distances, sometimes up to 1000 miles. During their migration, they can be seen in large groups fluttering toward their destination.
The best time to spot Red Admirals in Delaware is from March to November. They prefer sunny areas with lots of flowers or fruit trees.
7. Painted Lady
The Painted Lady is one of Delaware’s well-known and widely recognized butterflies.
This butterfly is famous for its distinctive orange, black, and white wings that feature a unique pattern of circles and spots.
Interestingly, Painted Ladies are among the most common butterflies in the world and can be found on almost every continent except Australia and Antarctica.
One of the fascinating things about Painted Ladies is their incredible migration.
These butterflies travel thousands of miles from their breeding grounds in Mexico to as far north as Canada and Alaska.
They can often be spotted in Delaware during the spring and summer as they go northward.
So, please keep your eyes open for these beautiful butterflies in Delaware as they flutter past your window or in the garden!
8. Monarch
The Monarch butterfly is among the most famous in Delaware and North America.
These bright orange and black butterflies are famous for their annual migration to Mexico, where they spend the winter in large clusters in fir forests.
In Delaware, Monarchs are common during the fall migration, and you may see them stopping to feed on nectar-rich flowers along their journey.
The best part is that the Monarch’s wingspan ranges from 3 to 4 inches, making it a relatively large butterfly.
They can be found in open fields and meadows where milkweed grows, the only plant Monarch larvae will feed on.
Due to habitat loss, the Monarch population has declined significantly in recent years, making it important to protect the habitat where they live and breed.
9. Viceroy
Another species of butterfly that can be found in Delaware is the Viceroy. This butterfly closely resembles the Monarch butterfly but with a few key differences.
The Viceroy is smaller and has a more prominent black line across its hindwings.
The Viceroy is known for its mimicry of the Monarch, a defense mechanism against predators.
To be real with you, monarchs are known to be toxic to predators due to the milkweed they feed on, but viceroys are not toxic.
However, predators will avoid the Viceroy, thinking it is a Monarch and potentially toxic.
Observing a Viceroy butterfly in Delaware can be an exciting experience, as it displays a fascinating survival strategy.
10. Red-Spotted Purple
The Red-Spotted Purple butterfly may have an intimidating name, but it’s a beautiful and unique species found in Delaware.
This butterfly is known for its striking wings, which feature iridescent blue-black hues and vibrant red spots.
Some people mistake the Red-Spotted Purple for the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail due to their similar coloring.
However, the Red-Spotted Purple is harmless and poses no threat to humans or other animals.
The Red-Spotted Purple butterfly can be found in various habitats, from forests to meadows to suburban areas.
They typically feed on tree sap and rotting fruit but enjoy nectar from flowers such as milkweed and asters.
Spotting a Red-Spotted Purple butterfly in the wild is a true treat.
Their striking coloring and unique patterns make them a standout species in the world of butterflies.
11. Mourning Cloak
The Mourning Cloak butterfly, also known as the Camberwell Beauty, is a large and striking butterfly found in Delaware.
This species has dark maroon wings with a distinct row of blue dots along the outer edge.
The undersides of the wings are lighter brown with iridescent blue spots.
The Mourning Cloak is typically found in wooded areas and near streams and is one of the first butterflies to emerge in the spring.
This species is known for surviving harsh winter weather by hibernating as an adult butterfly in tree crevices.
If you’re lucky enough to spot a Mourning Cloak in Delaware, you’ll witness not only a beautiful creature but also a true survivor of the natural world.
12. Pearl Crescent
The Pearl Crescent is a small butterfly commonly found in Delaware’s meadows, fields, and gardens.
This species is easy to identify with its vibrant orange wings adorned with black spots and a small white crescent on each wing.
They are active from late spring to early fall and can often be spotted fluttering low to the ground, searching for nectar, or laying their eggs on plants like asters, goldenrods, and thistles.
Interestingly, the Pearl Crescent can produce multiple generations each year.
The first generation usually emerges in late April to early May, with subsequent generations emerging in late June to early July and again in late August to early September.
Watch for this stunning little butterfly next time you’re out in a field or garden in Delaware!
13. Question Mark
Another unique butterfly found in Delaware is the Question Mark. As the name suggests, this butterfly has a distinctive question mark-shaped marking on its wings.
The Question Mark butterfly belongs to the brush foot family of butterflies and is typically brownish-orange.
You won’t believe they can be found throughout the eastern United States and are commonly found near wooded areas.
You may spot a Question Mark butterfly flying from April through October in Delaware. They feed on tree sap, rotting fruit, and sometimes animal droppings.
Despite their unusual feeding habits, these butterflies play an important role in pollination and are a vital part of Delaware’s ecosystem.
So, keep your eyes peeled for the Question Mark butterfly on your next nature walk in Delaware!
14. Eastern Comma
The Eastern Comma is a species of butterfly found throughout Delaware during the summer months.
These beautiful butterflies in Delaware are known for their distinct comma-shaped orange and brown markings on their wings, which resemble punctuation marks.
The Eastern Comma is relatively small, with a wingspan of only about 2 inches. Its dark brown body matches its wing patterns.
Eastern Comma butterflies are often spotted near wooded areas or gardens, feeding on flower nectar and tree sap.
They also lay their eggs on tree leaves, particularly on host plants such as elm, nettle, and birch.
While the Eastern Comma is a relatively common butterfly species, it is still a treat to catch a glimpse of one in the wild and admire its unique markings up close.
15. Common Buckeye
The Common Buckeye butterfly is also one of the well-known sightings of butterflies in Delaware and throughout the eastern United States.
They have distinctive eye-like spots on their wings that protect against predators.
The eyespot pattern resembles an owl, which can intimidate and confuse predators.
These butterflies typically have a wingspan of around 2 inches and are commonly found in open areas, such as fields and meadows.
They have various host plants for their larvae, including plant species in the snapdragon, acanthus, and verbena families.
If you’re lucky enough to spot a Common Buckeye in Delaware, take a moment to appreciate its wings’ unique beauty and intricate patterns.
16. Variegated Fritillary
Another butterfly species that calls Delaware home is the Variegated Fritillary.
This orange and black beauty can typically be found in meadows and open fields. There, it feeds on nectar from various plants, including asters and clovers.
Interestingly, the caterpillars of this species are known to feed on violets, making them a favorite of gardeners who wish to attract these colorful butterflies to their yards.
While the Variegated Fritillary is not as common as some other butterflies in Delaware, spotting one is worth the effort.
Please keep your eyes peeled for their bright orange wings with intricate black patterns as they flutter through the summer breeze in search of their next snack.
17. Meadow Fritillary
Another common butterfly found in Delaware is the Meadow Fritillary. These butterflies are usually seen in grassy fields, meadows, and prairies from mid-June to mid-August.
To be real with you, their wings are a beautiful orange-brown with black spots and stripes. The underside of their wings is lighter in color and has a row of silver spots.
The Meadow Fritillary is a member of the Nymphalidae family and has a wingspan of 1.5 to 2 inches.
These butterflies feed on the nectar of various flowers, such as purple coneflowers and black-eyed Susans. Their larvae feed on the leaves of violet plants.
The Meadow Fritillary is a delicate and graceful butterfly that adds to the beauty of Delaware’s natural landscapes.
18. Silver-Bordered Fritillary
The Silver-Bordered Fritillary is a beautiful butterfly species found in Delaware’s meadows and grasslands.
This butterfly gets its name from the thin silver border that runs along the edges of its wings.
The upper sides of its wings are orange-brown with black spots, while the undersides are gray-brown with white spots.
Like other butterflies in Delaware, the Silver-Bordered Fritillary is closely related to violets. The female butterfly lays eggs on violet plants, and the larvae feed on the leaves.
When it emerges as a butterfly, the Silver-Bordered Fritillary continues to feed on nectar from violet flowers.
Seeing this butterfly fluttering through a field of wildflowers is a true delight and a sight that should not be missed in Delaware.
19. Common Wood-Nymph
The Common Wood Nymph is a species of butterfly that is found in Delaware and throughout North America.
As their name suggests, they live in wooded areas and can often be spotted fluttering through the trees.
Their wings are light brown with darker brown markings, giving them a subtle yet elegant appearance.
One interesting fact about the Common wood nymph is that they are known for their “puddling” behavior.
This involves gathering large groups on wet soil or mud to extract minerals and nutrients from the soil.
It’s a fascinating behavior to observe and adds to the wonder and diversity of Delaware’s butterfly population.
