North Carolina hosts over 150 butterfly species, but you don’t need to memorize them all to enjoy these winged jewels in your backyard.
Whether you’re walking through the Blue Ridge Mountains or strolling along the Outer Banks, these 20 native butterflies represent the species you’re most likely to encounter during your outdoor adventures.
From the majestic Eastern Tiger Swallowtail soaring through your garden to the tiny Eastern Tailed-Blue dancing among wildflowers, this guide focuses on practical identification.
You’ll discover key field marks, preferred habitats, and the best times to spot each species, turning your nature walks into rewarding butterfly-watching experiences.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (State Butterfly)

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) holds the honor of being North Carolina’s official state butterfly, and once you see one, you’ll understand why.
These magnificent creatures boast wingspans reaching 5.5 inches, making them among the largest butterflies you’ll encounter in the state.
Key Insight: Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtails come in two forms – the bright yellow “tiger” form that matches males, and a dark morph that mimics the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail for protection.
Males display brilliant yellow wings with distinctive black tiger stripes and blue spots along the hindwing borders.
The characteristic “tails” on their hindwings give them their swallowtail name. You’ll spot these beauties from March through October, with peak activity during warm, sunny days.
Look for Eastern Tiger Swallowtails in gardens, parks, and woodland edges where they feed on nectar from native plants like tulip trees, wild cherry, and lilac. They’re particularly drawn to butterfly bushes and joe-pye weed during summer months.
Pro Tip: Watch for their distinctive flight pattern – they alternate between powerful wingbeats and graceful gliding, often staying 6-15 feet above ground level.
Black Swallowtail

The Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) ranks among North Carolina’s most recognizable butterflies, thanks to its striking black wings adorned with rows of yellow spots.
Males showcase brighter yellow markings and prominent blue patches on their hindwings, while females display more subdued coloration with smaller yellow spots.
These medium-sized swallowtails measure 3-4 inches across and remain active from April through October. You’ll often find them visiting gardens where their host plants grow, as females seek out members of the carrot family for egg-laying.
Common Mistake: Don’t confuse Black Swallowtails with Spicebush Swallowtails – Black Swallowtails have distinct rows of yellow spots, while Spicebush Swallowtails show greenish-blue iridescence on their hindwings.
Identification Feature | Black Swallowtail | Spicebush Swallowtail |
---|---|---|
Primary wing color | Black with yellow spots | Black with blue-green sheen |
Hindwing markings | Blue patches with orange eyespots | Bright blue scaling |
Size | 3-4 inches | 3-4.5 inches |
Flight pattern | Direct, powerful | More erratic |
The species thrives in open areas including meadows, fields, and suburban gardens. Look for them nectaring on purple coneflowers, zinnias, and lantana during peak summer months.
Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtails (Papilio troilus) bring an enchanting blue-green shimmer to North Carolina’s woodlands and gardens.
These elegant butterflies showcase predominantly black wings with subtle metallic highlights that shift from blue to green depending on the viewing angle.
Males typically display more vibrant iridescence than females, particularly along their hindwing borders where bright blue scaling creates an almost jewel-like appearance. The hindwings feature prominent orange eyespots that serve as false targets to confuse predators.
Important Note: Spicebush Swallowtails depend entirely on spicebush and sassafras plants for reproduction, making them excellent indicators of healthy woodland ecosystems.
These butterflies prefer partially shaded environments, particularly forest edges and wooded gardens where their host plants naturally occur.
You’ll encounter them from late March through September, with two distinct generations per year in most of North Carolina.
Their flight pattern tends to be more erratic than other swallowtails, with quick directional changes and sudden stops to investigate potential nectar sources. Adults frequently visit native honeysuckle, joe-pye weed, and milkweed flowers.
Pipevine Swallowtail

The Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) stands out as one of North Carolina’s most distinctive butterflies, displaying deep blue-black wings with metallic blue-green highlights that seem to glow in sunlight.
This species carries natural toxins absorbed from its host plant, making it unpalatable to most predators.
Males exhibit more prominent metallic scaling on their forewings, while both sexes feature stunning iridescent blue hindwings with distinctive white spots along the margins.
The orange spots on the underside of hindwings create additional visual appeal when butterflies rest with wings closed.
Pro Tip: Other butterfly species, including the dark form of Eastern Tiger Swallowtail females and Red-spotted Purple, mimic Pipevine Swallowtails to gain protection from predators – a phenomenon called Batesian mimicry.
These butterflies inhabit areas where wild ginger and Virginia snakeroot grow naturally, typically in moist, partially shaded locations.
Adults remain active from April through October and show strong site fidelity, often returning to the same nectar sources daily.
You’ll frequently observe them visiting native azaleas, butterfly weed, and various wildflowers in woodland clearings and along stream banks.
Zebra Swallowtail

The Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) presents one of nature’s most striking patterns with its distinctive black and white striped wings reminiscent of its namesake.
These pale butterflies feature triangular wings and unusually long tails, creating an unmistakable silhouette in flight.
Spring individuals typically display shorter tails and paler coloration, while summer generations develop longer tails and more contrasted markings. The hindwings showcase bright red spots and blue scaling that become more pronounced in later broods.
Key Insight: Zebra Swallowtails have completely dependent on pawpaw trees for reproduction, making them reliable indicators of healthy riparian ecosystems where pawpaws naturally occur.
These butterflies inhabit moist woodlands, particularly along streams and rivers where pawpaw groves flourish. Their flight appears delicate and floating compared to other swallowtails, with characteristic gliding between slow wingbeats.
Adults emerge from March through September, producing multiple generations annually. They prefer native dogwood flowers, redbud blossoms, and various wildflowers growing in partial shade.
Monarch

Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) represent one of nature’s most remarkable migration stories, with North Carolina serving as both a breeding ground and crucial stopover during their epic journey to Mexico.
These iconic orange and black butterflies have become symbols of conservation efforts across North America.
Males display distinctive black scent patches on their hindwings and slightly brighter orange coloration. Females show thicker black veining and lack the prominent scent patches, while both sexes feature white spots along their wing borders.
The species demonstrates incredible navigational abilities, with individuals traveling thousands of miles using internal compasses guided by the sun’s position and magnetic fields.
September and October bring waves of migrating Monarchs through North Carolina as they journey southward.
Important Note: Monarch populations have declined by over 70% in recent decades, making habitat conservation and native milkweed planting critical for their survival.
Monarch Migration Timeline in North Carolina
- March-April: Overwintered adults arrive from Mexico
- May-August: Multiple breeding generations establish
- September-October: Final generation begins southward migration
- November: Last migrants pass through coastal areas
Look for Monarchs in gardens, fields, and roadsides where milkweed species grow. Adults visit a wide variety of nectar sources including native asters, goldenrod, and lantana.
Viceroy

Viceroys (Limenitis archippus) showcase one of nature’s most successful mimicry examples, closely resembling Monarch butterflies to gain protection from predators. However, several key differences help distinguish these species in the field.
Viceroys display slightly smaller size, measuring 2.5-3 inches compared to Monarchs’ 3.5-4 inch wingspan. The most reliable identification feature is the distinctive black line running across the hindwings – a marking completely absent in Monarchs.
Pro Tip: Observe flight patterns to confirm identification – Viceroys fly with quick, erratic wingbeats followed by brief glides, while Monarchs maintain more steady, soaring flight patterns.
These butterflies prefer wetland edges, particularly areas where willows and cottonwoods grow naturally. Adults remain active from May through September, producing two generations annually in most of North Carolina.
Feature | Viceroy | Monarch |
---|---|---|
Size | 2.5-3 inches | 3.5-4 inches |
Hindwing line | Present (black) | Absent |
Flight pattern | Erratic with glides | Steady soaring |
Wing color | Orange-brown | Bright orange |
Viceroys frequently visit native buttonbush, joe-pye weed, and various asters growing in moist locations.
Painted Lady

Painted Ladies (Vanessa cardui) represent the world’s most widespread butterfly species, occasionally arriving in North Carolina in spectacular numbers during mass migration events.
These cosmopolitan butterflies display salmon-pink and orange wings with intricate black markings and white spots.
The forewings feature distinctive white patches near the tips, while hindwings showcase a row of small eyespots along the borders. Both sexes appear similar, though females tend to be slightly larger with more rounded wing tips.
These remarkable migrants can travel over 1,000 miles, sometimes arriving in North Carolina in waves of thousands during favorable weather conditions. Peak migration typically occurs during March-April and again in September-October.
Key Insight: Painted Ladies cannot survive North Carolina’s winters, making every individual you encounter either a recent migrant or locally-born offspring of migrants.
The species demonstrates remarkable adaptability, utilizing over 100 plant species as hosts including thistles, mallows, and various weedy plants.
Adults visit nearly any available nectar source, showing particular preference for native thistles, asters, and garden flowers.
American Lady

American Ladies (Vanessa virginiensis) closely resemble their Painted Lady cousins but display several distinctive features that aid in field identification.
These butterflies showcase similar orange and black coloration but feature only two large eyespots on their hindwing undersides, compared to Painted Ladies’ row of smaller spots.
The forewings display more prominent white patches, and the overall coloration tends toward deeper orange tones. American Ladies also show more pointed forewings and slightly smaller size than their cosmopolitan relatives.
Common Mistake: Many butterfly watchers confuse American Ladies with Painted Ladies – focus on the hindwing underside pattern and wing shape for reliable identification.
Unlike Painted Ladies, American Ladies successfully overwinter in North Carolina’s milder regions and maintain resident populations throughout the year.
They produce multiple generations annually, with peak abundance occurring during spring and fall months.
These butterflies prefer open areas including fields, roadsides, and gardens where their host plants – primarily pussy-toes and related species – grow naturally. Adults frequently visit native sunflowers, asters, and goldenrod during peak blooming periods.
Red Admiral

Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta) bring striking contrast to North Carolina’s butterfly communities with their bold black wings intersected by prominent red bands and white spots.
These medium-sized butterflies remain active throughout most of the year in the state’s milder regions.
The distinctive red bands across the forewings create an unmistakable identification marker, while white spots near the wing tips add additional visual appeal. Hindwings feature red borders with blue spots that become more prominent when wings are fully spread.
Red Admirals demonstrate remarkable territorial behavior, with males establishing perches on prominent rocks, logs, or elevated surfaces where they defend their territories against intruders. They’ll investigate nearly anything passing through their domain, including humans.
Pro Tip: Red Admirals often land on warm pavement, clothing, or even people – they’re attracted to salts and minerals and rarely show fear of human presence.
The species cannot survive hard freezes, but mild North Carolina winters allow some individuals to persist year-round in protected locations.
Spring migrants arriving from farther south supplement local populations and establish new breeding colonies.
These adaptable butterflies utilize stinging nettles as their primary host plant and visit a tremendous variety of nectar sources including native beautyberry, rotting fruit, tree sap, and mud puddles.
Common Buckeye

Common Buckeyes (Junonia coenia) showcase some of the most distinctive eyespots in North Carolina’s butterfly fauna, with large, prominent circles adorning their brown and orange wings.
These medium-sized butterflies create quite an impression when they suddenly flash their “eyes” at potential predators.
Each forewing displays two eyespots – one large eyespot near the wing tip and a smaller one toward the body. The hindwings feature additional eyespots that vary in size and prominence between individuals. Orange bands across the forewings add warmth to their otherwise earthy coloration.
These butterflies prefer open, sunny locations including fields, roadsides, gardens, and disturbed areas where low-growing plants flourish. Males establish territories and perch on low vegetation, darting out to investigate passing insects.
Key Insight: Buckeye populations fluctuate dramatically between years, with some seasons producing abundant numbers while others show remarkably few individuals – population cycles often correlate with favorable breeding conditions in southern states.
Common Buckeyes cannot survive North Carolina’s winters and rely entirely on spring migration from southern populations. They typically arrive in March-April and establish multiple generations through October.
Adults frequently visit native pentas, asters, and various wildflowers growing in full sun locations. They also engage in mud-puddling behavior, gathering minerals from moist soil and puddle edges.
Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloaks (Nymphalis antiopa) stand apart as one of North Carolina’s most distinctive butterflies, displaying deep maroon wings bordered by cream-yellow bands and iridescent blue spots.
These large, robust butterflies represent true North Carolina residents capable of surviving winter as adults.
The wings appear nearly black from a distance, but closer inspection reveals rich burgundy coloration with intricate cream borders. Small iridescent blue spots along the wing edges add jewel-like accents to their somber appearance.
Mourning Cloaks demonstrate remarkable longevity for butterflies, living up to 10 months and overwintering as adults in protected locations like tree cavities or under loose bark. They emerge during warm spells throughout winter and become increasingly active as spring approaches.
Important Note: These butterflies rarely visit flowers for nectar, instead preferring tree sap, rotting fruit, and mud puddles – don’t expect to find them on your garden blooms.
The species inhabits wooded areas, particularly locations near streams or wetlands where willows, elms, and cottonwoods grow naturally. Adults show strong territorial behavior and often return to the same perching spots daily.
Their flight appears powerful and direct, with deep wingbeats carrying them rapidly through woodland corridors. Spring individuals may show worn wing edges from winter survival, while fresh summer adults display pristine markings.
Cloudless Sulphur

Cloudless Sulphurs (Phoebis sennae) bring brilliant yellow sunshine to North Carolina’s gardens and roadsides with their large, vibrant wings and strong, purposeful flight.
These robust butterflies rank among the state’s largest yellows and demonstrate remarkable migratory behavior.
Males display clear yellow wings without markings, living up to their “cloudless” name. Females show similar size but feature pale yellow to white coloration with subtle brown markings along wing borders and small dark spots scattered across the wing surfaces.
These powerful fliers maintain nearly constant motion, rarely stopping long enough for close observation except when feeding.
Their flight appears determined and direct, often traveling considerable distances in search of nectar sources or suitable host plants.
Pro Tip: Look for Cloudless Sulphurs during late afternoon hours when they often gather in large numbers at preferred nectar sources like pentas, bougainvillea, and cassia flowers.
The species cannot survive North Carolina winters but arrives each spring as migrants from southern states. Peak migration typically occurs during March-April and again in September-October when favorable weather patterns facilitate long-distance travel.
Adults show strong preferences for native partridge pea and various cassia species, often traveling significant distances to locate suitable host plants. They visit a wide variety of nectar sources including native and cultivated flowers.
Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphurs (Colias eurytheme) add warm golden tones to North Carolina’s open spaces, displaying wings that range from bright yellow to deep orange depending on the individual and season.
These medium-sized butterflies maintain active populations throughout most of the year in the state’s milder regions.
Males typically show deeper orange coloration with distinct black borders around their wings, while females display more variable coloration ranging from yellow to orange with less prominent borders.
Both sexes feature orange spots on their hindwings that become particularly noticeable when wings are closed.
The species demonstrates remarkable adaptability, thriving in agricultural areas, roadsides, fields, and gardens where leguminous plants grow abundantly.
Adults remain active from March through November, with peak numbers occurring during spring and fall months.
Key Insight: Orange Sulphurs often hybridize with closely related Clouded Sulphurs, producing offspring with intermediate characteristics that can challenge field identification.
These butterflies show strong site fidelity, often returning to the same patches of flowers daily for nectar. Males engage in territorial behavior and actively patrol areas containing suitable host plants and nectar sources.
Season | Male Coloration | Female Coloration | Activity Level |
---|---|---|---|
Spring | Bright orange | Variable yellow-orange | High |
Summer | Deep orange | Pale yellow-white | Moderate |
Fall | Rich orange | Mixed forms | Very high |
Adults frequently visit native wild bergamot, asters, goldenrod, and various legume flowers growing in sunny locations.
Cabbage White

Cabbage Whites (Pieris rapae) represent one of North Carolina’s most commonly encountered butterflies, displaying simple white wings marked with black spots and wing tips.
These European immigrants have thoroughly established themselves across the state and remain active throughout most of the year.
Males feature single black spots on their forewings and subtle gray-green markings on their hindwing undersides. Females display two black spots per forewing and similar hindwing patterns, making sex determination relatively straightforward in the field.
Despite their common name suggesting agricultural pest status, Cabbage Whites actually utilize a wide variety of plants in the mustard family, including many native species.
They’ve become integral parts of North Carolina’s ecosystem and serve as important pollinators for numerous native plants.
Common Mistake: Don’t dismiss Cabbage Whites as “just common butterflies” – they play crucial pollination roles and serve as food sources for native birds, spiders, and other wildlife.
The species produces multiple generations annually, with fresh adults emerging every few weeks from March through November. Winter survival occurs in the pupal stage, with adults emerging during the first warm days of spring.
These adaptable butterflies thrive in gardens, agricultural areas, roadsides, and disturbed sites where their host plants flourish. They show little fear of human activity and often feed within arm’s reach of observers.
Adults visit an enormous variety of nectar sources including native mountain mint, asters, dandelions, and countless garden flowers throughout their extended flight season.
Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blues (Cupido comyntas) bring delicate beauty to North Carolina’s meadows and gardens with their tiny size and intricate wing patterns.
These diminutive butterflies measure less than an inch across, making them among the smallest species you’ll encounter in the state.
Males display brilliant blue uppersides with narrow black borders, while females show brownish uppersides with subtle blue scaling near their body.
Both sexes feature distinctive “tails” on their hindwings along with orange and black eyespots that serve as false heads to confuse predators.
The undersides reveal complex patterns of white, gray, and orange markings that provide excellent camouflage when butterflies rest with wings closed. Small orange crescents along the hindwing borders add colorful accents to their intricate design.
Pro Tip: Eastern Tailed-Blues often rest with their hindwings positioned forward, creating the illusion that their “tail” end is actually their head – this defensive behavior helps them escape predator attacks.
These butterflies prefer open, sunny locations including meadows, fields, roadsides, and garden edges where leguminous plants grow naturally. They produce multiple generations annually from March through October.
Adults demonstrate remarkably rapid flight for their size, with quick, erratic movements that make them challenging to follow visually. They frequently engage in mud-puddling behavior and visit a wide variety of small flowers.
The species utilizes numerous plants in the pea family as hosts, including native wild lupine, clovers, and various wildflowers common in North Carolina’s natural areas.
Summer Azure

Summer Azures (Celastrina neglecta) represent one of several closely related blue butterfly species found in North Carolina, displaying pale blue wings with subtle markings that require careful observation for accurate identification.
These delicate butterflies showcase the complex taxonomy that makes blue butterfly identification challenging for many observers.
Males exhibit pale blue uppersides with thin black borders and no prominent markings, while females display similar coloration with broader dark borders and occasional dark spotting.
The undersides feature pale gray-white backgrounds with scattered dark spots and minimal orange markings.
Summer Azures differ from their spring-flying relatives primarily through their flight timing and subtle wing pattern differences.
They typically emerge after Spring Azures have finished their flight period, helping separate these similar species temporally.
Key Insight: Azure butterfly identification often requires combining wing pattern details, flight timing, host plant associations, and geographic location for accurate species determination.
The species inhabits woodland edges, gardens, and partially shaded areas where dogwood, cherry, and other shrubs provide both nectar and host plant opportunities.
Adults remain active from May through September, with peak abundance during summer months.
These butterflies show preference for white and pale-colored flowers, frequently visiting native dogwood blooms, privet, and various garden flowers growing in partial shade conditions.
Great Spangled Fritillary

Great Spangled Fritillaries (Speyeria cybele) bring impressive size and intricate patterns to North Carolina’s meadows and woodland openings, displaying orange wings adorned with black spots and lines that create distinctive fritillary markings. These robust butterflies rank among the state’s largest fritillaries.
The forewings feature prominent black spots arranged in regular patterns across bright orange backgrounds, while hindwings display similar spotting with additional metallic silver spots on their undersides.
These “silver spangles” give fritillaries their common name and create stunning visual effects in sunlight.
Males typically appear smaller and more brightly colored than females, with narrower black markings and more vibrant orange backgrounds. Females show broader wings with heavier black markings and slightly darker orange coloration.
Important Note: Great Spangled Fritillaries depend entirely on violet species for reproduction, making them excellent indicators of healthy meadow and woodland edge ecosystems where native violets flourish.
Adults emerge in summer and remain active through early fall, with peak activity occurring during July and August. They show strong preferences for tall flowers that accommodate their large size and long proboscis.
These butterflies inhabit meadows, prairies, and woodland edges where violets grow naturally in the understory. They frequently visit native ironweed, joe-pye weed, echinacea, and milkweed flowers during their peak flight period.
The species demonstrates strong site fidelity, with adults often returning to the same nectar patches daily and showing preference for established violet populations for egg-laying activities.
Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillaries (Agraulis vanillae) showcase brilliant orange wings with distinctive silver spots that create unmistakable field identification markers.
These medium-large butterflies display elongated forewings and rapid, direct flight patterns that distinguish them from other fritillary species.
The uppersides feature bright orange backgrounds with black markings and white spots, while the undersides reveal spectacular metallic silver spots that flash brilliantly during flight.
These silver markings appear much larger and more prominent than those found on other fritillary species.
Gulf Fritillaries cannot survive North Carolina’s winters but arrive as migrants each spring from southern populations.
They establish breeding colonies during favorable years and produce multiple generations through fall, with peak abundance typically occurring during late summer months.
Pro Tip: Watch for Gulf Fritillaries’ distinctive flight pattern – they fly rapidly in straight lines with powerful wingbeats, rarely stopping except to feed or investigate potential host plants.
The species has expanded its range northward in recent decades, likely due to climate change and increased cultivation of passion vine host plants in gardens and landscapes. Adults show complete dependence on passion vines for reproduction.
These butterflies prefer open, sunny locations including gardens, roadsides, and disturbed areas where passion vines grow naturally or have been cultivated.
They visit a wide variety of nectar sources but show particular preference for native lantana, pentas, and butterfly bush.
Pearl Crescent

Pearl Crescents (Phyciodes tharos) represent one of North Carolina’s most abundant small butterflies, displaying intricate orange and black patterns that require close observation for proper identification.
These diminutive butterflies showcase the complex taxonomy that characterizes crescent butterfly species.
The forewings feature orange backgrounds with heavy black markings creating net-like patterns, while hindwings display similar coloration with distinctive black borders. Males typically show brighter orange coloration and more contrasted markings than females.
Pearl Crescents demonstrate remarkable adaptability and maintain active populations throughout most of North Carolina from March through October.
They produce multiple overlapping generations, ensuring continuous adult activity during favorable weather conditions.
Common Mistake: Pearl Crescents are frequently confused with other crescent species – focus on wing pattern details, size, and flight behavior for accurate identification in areas where multiple crescent species occur.
The species thrives in open areas including meadows, roadsides, gardens, and disturbed sites where aster family plants grow abundantly. Adults show strong preferences for composite flowers that provide accessible nectar sources.
These small butterflies demonstrate territorial behavior despite their size, with males establishing perches on low vegetation and investigating passing insects. They frequently engage in mud-puddling and show little fear of human observers.
Crescent Butterfly Comparison
Species | Size | Primary Color | Black Markings | Habitat Preference |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pearl Crescent | Small | Bright orange | Net-like pattern | Open areas |
Phaon Crescent | Small | Pale orange | Light markings | Sandy areas |
Silvery Checkerspot | Medium | Orange-red | Heavy black | Wet meadows |
Adults frequently visit native asters, goldenrod, fleabane, and various composite flowers that provide suitable nectar sources for their short proboscis length.
Conclusion
These 20 native species represent just a fraction of North Carolina’s incredible butterfly diversity, but they form the foundation of what you’ll discover during your outdoor explorations.
Each species brings unique behaviors, habitat preferences, and seasonal patterns that make butterfly watching an endlessly rewarding pursuit.
Start by focusing on the larger, more distinctive species like Eastern Tiger Swallowtails and Monarchs, then gradually expand your identification skills to include the smaller, more challenging species.
Remember that butterfly populations fluctuate naturally with weather patterns, seasonal cycles, and habitat conditions – some years will offer abundant viewing opportunities while others may seem quieter.
The best butterfly watching occurs during warm, sunny days between 10 AM and 4 PM when most species remain actively feeding and searching for mates.
Bring a notebook to record your observations, and don’t forget that many butterflies show different behaviors and wing patterns depending on the season and individual variation.
Consider joining local naturalist groups, visiting butterfly gardens at nature centers, and participating in citizen science projects like eButterfly or iNaturalist to contribute valuable data while expanding your identification skills and connecting with fellow butterfly enthusiasts throughout North Carolina.