Have you ever strolled through a Colorado meadow and been mesmerized by the fluttering of colorful butterflies?
These delicate butterflies in Colorado are beautiful to look at and play a crucial role in our ecosystem.
Colorado has diverse butterfly species, each with unique characteristics and behaviors.
From the iconic Monarch butterfly to the lesser-known Mormon Metalmark, these butterflies in Colorado are vital to the state’s biodiversity.
Colorado is the perfect destination for you if you’re a nature enthusiast and love observing butterflies.
Our article will explore some of Colorado’s most common and rare types of butterflies, along with their distinctive features and habitats.
So, let’s dive into the world of butterflies in Colorado and discover the beauty of these winged insects.
1. Clouded Sulphur
Colorado is a haven for butterfly enthusiasts, with over 250 species in the state.
One of Colorado’s most common and easily recognizable butterflies is the Clouded Sulphur.
The Clouded Sulphur is a small to medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
Their bright yellow wings characterize them with a few black spots and a faint greenish tinge.
The males are typically brighter in color than the females, with a more vivid yellow hue.
From late March to early October, these butterflies can be found in open fields, meadows, and gardens throughout Colorado.
The Clouded Sulphur is an important pollinator for many plant species in Colorado. They feed on nectar from various flowers, including clovers, asters, and goldenrods.
The female Clouded Sulphur lays her eggs on the leaves of legume plants, such as alfalfa and clover.
The larvae feed on the leaves of these plants and pupate in the soil before emerging as adult butterflies.
Observing these beautiful butterflies in Colorado in their natural habitat is a wonderful way to appreciate the beauty and diversity of Colorado’s wildlife.
2. Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur
Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur is also one of Colorado’s rare and beautiful butterflies.
This butterfly is named after Queen Alexandra of England, an avid butterfly collector.
The Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur has a bright yellow color with black markings on its wings.
It is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about two inches.
3. Gray Copper
Gray Copper is a small butterfly species found in Colorado. Its wingspan is 1.5 to 2 inches.
They have a distinctive grayish-brown color on the upper side of their wings, with a copper-colored band near the outer edge.
Gray Copper butterflies prefer to live in open areas such as meadows, prairies, and sagebrush habitats.
They are active from June to July and can often be seen basking in the sun, feeding on nectar from flowers, or laying eggs on their host plants.
Despite their small size, Gray Copper butterflies play an important role in pollination and are a beautiful addition to Colorado’s ecosystem’s biodiversity.
4. Blue Copper and Hairstreak
Butterflies are some of the most beautiful and fascinating creatures in nature.
In Colorado, there are many different types of butterflies, each with their unique characteristics and colors.
Two of Colorado’s most striking types of butterflies are the Blue Copper and the Hairstreak.
The Blue Copper is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches.
The upper side of its wings is brilliant blue, while the underside is coppery brown with white spots.
This butterfly is found in mountain meadows and open woodland areas in the western United States, including Colorado.
The Blue Copper is active from June to August and feeds on nectar from various wildflowers.
It is also known to lay its eggs on the leaves of wild buckwheat and other plants in the Polygonaceae family.
The Blue Copper is a beautiful and rare butterfly that is a joy to spot in the wild.
The Hairstreak is another stunning butterfly found in Colorado.
This small butterfly has a wingspan of about 1 inch and is characterized by its metallic blue-green coloration on the upper side of its wings, with a row of red spots on the hind wings.
The underside of the wings is a pale grayish-brown color with white spots.
The Hairstreak is found in various habitats, including meadows, forests, and wetlands.
It is active from May to September and feeds on the nectar of various flowers, including milkweed and thistle.
The Hairstreak is a beautiful butterfly that is a common sight in Colorado and a favorite of butterfly enthusiasts.
5. Marine Blue
Marine Blue is one of the most stunning butterflies in Colorado. This butterfly species boasts a brilliant blue color that will catch anyone’s eye.
Marine Blue butterflies are relatively small, with a wingspan of only 1-1.5 inches.
They are typically found in open, sunny areas such as meadows, fields, and streamsides.
Marine Blue butterflies are unique in that they have a symbiotic relationship with ants.
The larvae of Marine Blue butterflies secrete a sweet substance that attracts ants, which then protect the larvae from predators.
This relationship is essential for the survival of Marine Blue butterflies, as they are vulnerable to predation during their early stages.
Despite their small size, Marine Blue butterflies are an important part of the ecosystem in Colorado and are a delight to observe in their natural habitat.
6. Arrowhead Blue
Arrowhead Blue is a beautiful butterfly species that can be found in Colorado.
These medium-sized butterflies, with a wingspan of around 1.5 inches, are known for their bright blue wings with black and white markings.
Arrowhead Blue butterflies can be found in open areas such as meadows, prairies, and roadsides.
They are most commonly seen from May to August, and they feed on nectar from flowers such as asters and clovers.
The females lay their eggs on the leaves of plants, such as lupines and vetches, which feed the larvae.
Arrowhead Blue butterflies are a wonderful sight in Colorado’s natural landscapes and a great reminder of the beauty and diversity of the state’s wildlife.
7. American Snout
The American Snout is a medium-sized butterfly found in various Colorado habitats, including forests, meadows, and urban areas.
They are most commonly seen during the spring and fall months when they migrate to and from their breeding grounds in Mexico and the southern United States.
In terms of appearance, American Snouts have wings with a distinct orange and brown coloration, accented by black and white markings.
However, their elongated snout truly sets them apart from other butterflies in Colorado.
This unique feature allows butterflies to probe flowers for nectar and can also help them detect and avoid predators.
Overall, the American Snout is one of the fascinating and distinctive butterflies in Colorado, adding to the rich biodiversity of Colorado’s natural environment.
8. Julia Orangetips
Julia Orangetips is a type of butterfly found in Colorado during the spring and early summer months.
They are small to medium-sized butterflies with a wingspan of about 1.5 to 2 inches.
The males’ forewings have bright orange tips, while the females’ have a muted yellow-green coloration with smaller orange tips.
These butterflies can be found in open areas with plenty of nectar sources, such as meadows, fields, and streams, in Colorado.
They feed on various plants, including mustards, rock cresses, and carrot family members.
Julia Orangetips are a beautiful addition to Colorado’s butterfly population and are a joy to observe during their brief but spectacular flight season.
9. Pine White
Pine White is a common butterfly species found in the state of Colorado.
This butterfly is easily recognizable due to its white wings with black veins and spots.
The wingspan of the Pine White butterfly can range from 2.5 to 3 inches, making it a medium-sized butterfly.
The Pine White butterfly is commonly found in coniferous forests and mountain meadows.
They are active during the summer months and can often be seen feeding on flowers such as thistles and milkweed.
Despite being a common sight in Colorado, the Pine White butterfly is still considered a valuable species due to its important role in pollination and as a food source for other animals in the ecosystem.
10. Nais Metalmark
Nais Metalmark is a rare and beautiful species of butterfly found in Colorado.
These butterflies have a unique appearance, with bright orange and black markings on their wings.
They are small, with a wingspan of only about 1.5 inches, making them difficult to spot in the wild.
Nais Metalmark butterflies are typically found in dry, open habitats such as prairies, sagebrush flats, and desert grasslands.
They are most commonly seen during the summer months, from June to August, when they emerge from their cocoons and begin to fly.
Unfortunately, due to habitat loss and fragmentation, the Nais Metalmark butterfly is considered a threatened species and is protected under the Endangered Species Act.
Efforts are being made to conserve butterflies in Colorado’s habitat and increase their population size, making them a fascinating and important species to learn about and protect.
11. Western Pine Elfin
The Western Pine Elfin is a small butterfly found in Colorado’s high-elevation forests.
Its wingspan ranges from 1 to 1.25 inches, and its wings are a striking combination of black and white with a hint of blue.
The Western Pine Elfin is known for its unique flight pattern, which involves a series of quick, darting movements. This makes it challenging to spot in the wild.
Despite its small size, the Western Pine Elfin plays an important role in the ecosystem as a pollinator.
Its larvae feed on the needles of pine trees, which can help reduce the spread of diseases and pests.
However, like many butterflies in Colorado, the Western Pine Elfin is threatened by habitat loss and climate change.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect the high-elevation forests where they live and ensure their continued survival.
12. Colorado Hairstreak
The Colorado Hairstreak is a unique species of butterfly that can be found in the state of Colorado.
These small butterflies have a wingspan of only 1-2 inches and are easily recognizable by their distinctive blue coloration.
The upper side of their wings is a striking shade of blue, while the underside is dull brown.
The Colorado Hairstreak is known for its slow, lazy flight and can be found in mountainous areas, open meadows, and fields.
In addition to their striking appearance, the Colorado Hairstreak plays an important role in Colorado’s ecosystem.
As pollinators, they help ensure the survival of many plant species, including those important for agriculture.
They are also an important food source for many predators, including birds and insects.
Despite its small size, the Colorado Hairstreak is an important part of the natural world in Colorado and should be appreciated and protected.
13. Anise Swallowtail
The Anise Swallowtail is also one of Colorado’s most beautiful and common butterflies.
This butterfly is easily distinguished by its striking black wings with yellow spots and markings.
The female Anise Swallowtail has a larger wingspan than the male, ranging from 3.25 to 4 inches, while the male wingspan ranges from 2.75 to 3.5 inches.
The Anise Swallowtail is commonly found in open fields, meadows, and along stream banks.
They are active from mid-May to early September and feed on nectar from various flowers such as milkweed, thistles, and yarrow.
Their larvae feed on the leaves of plants in the carrot family, such as fennel and parsley.
The Anise Swallowtail is a beautiful addition to the butterfly population in Colorado and can often be seen fluttering gracefully through the summer months.
14. Pipevine Swallowtail
The Pipevine Swallowtail is a stunning butterfly easily recognizable by its striking black wings with iridescent blue highlights.
The males of this species have a bright blue color on their upper wings, while the females have a more muted blue color.
They also have a distinctive orange spot on their lower wings, which adds to their overall beauty.
The Pipevine Swallowtail can be found in various habitats, including woodlands, meadows, and gardens.
It is particularly fond of flowers such as milkweed, thistle, and clover.
In Colorado, the Pipevine Swallowtail is considered a rare species, and sightings of these butterflies are always exciting for butterfly enthusiasts.
Despite their rarity, they play an important role in the ecosystem as pollinators, helping to ensure the survival of various plant species.
If you’re lucky enough to spot a Pipevine Swallowtail in Colorado, take a moment to appreciate its beauty and the important role it plays in the natural world.
15. Rocky Mountain Parnassian
The Rocky Mountain Parnassian is a beautiful species of butterfly that can be found in the state of Colorado.
With its striking black and white wings and yellow spots, this butterfly is a favorite among butterfly enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
The Rocky Mountain Parnassian can typically be found in alpine meadows and mountain ranges, making it a popular sight for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts exploring Colorado’s natural beauty.
This butterfly species is a crucial part of the ecosystem in Colorado, as it plays a vital role in pollination and the environment’s overall health.
The Rocky Mountain Parnassian is also a great indicator of the environment’s health, as its presence can indicate a healthy ecosystem.
With its unique and striking appearance, the Rocky Mountain Parnassian is a true gem of Colorado’s natural world and a must-see for anyone visiting or living in the state.
