Butterflies of Texas

    While doing our masters degree from Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, Roosevelet County, New Mexico, USA, we got a chance to explore the state and witness some of the most beautiful butterflies in North America.

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    Hypaurotis chrysalus - Colorado Hairstreak
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    Yvretta carus - Carus Skipper
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    Ministrymon leda- Leda Ministreak
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    Nymphalis antiopa- Mourning Cloak
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    Libytheana carinenta - American Snout
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    Oarisma aurantiaca - Orange Skipperling
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    Siproeta stelens - Malachite
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    Papilio polyxenes - Black Swallowtail
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    Urbanus proteus - Long-tailed Skipper

    Texas, the butterfly capital of the United States, boasts an unparalleled diversity of species. Its southern location, particularly the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), offers a unique advantage - proximity to the rich butterfly fauna of Mexico. This strategic position creates a fascinating blend of Mexican and American butterfly species, making the region a true hotspot for butterfly enthusiasts.

    Rarity Index:
    extremely rare/endangered very rare/vulnerable rare uncommon common
    * beside rarity color represents the species is local. For instance, * represents the species is rare and local.

    Our Progress

    57%    (259/457)
    H P Pi L R N

    Hesperiidae (94/199): Skippers  

    Hesperiids are commonly known as skippers and are members of true butterflies (Papilionoidea). They have hooked antennae and small wings compared to their bulky bodies. Some groups keep their wings closed while some prefer to keep them flat open. Hesperiids have a very fast flight what with some are called swifts and darts.

    Eudaminae (26/52)


    Achalarus albociliatus - Skinner's Cloudywing
    Cecropterus casica - Desert Cloudywing
    Achalarus jalapus - Jalapus Cloudywing
    Achalarus lyciades - Hoary Edge
    Achalarus toxeus - Coyote cloudywing
    Achlyodes pallida- Pale Sicklewing

    Pyrginae (23/44)


    Bolla brennus - Obscure Bolla
    Bolla clytius - Mottled Bolla
    Cabares potrillo - Potrillo Skipper
    Carrhenes canescens - Hoary Skipper
    Celaenorrhinus fritzgaertneri - Fritzgaertner's Flat
    Celaenorrhinus stallingsi - Stallings' Flat

    Hesperiinae (42/91)


    Adopaeoides prittwitzi - Sunrise Skipper
    Amblyscirtes aenus - Bronze Roadside-skipper
    Amblyscirtes aesculapius - Lace-winged Roadside-skipper
    Amblyscirtes alternata - Dusky Roadside-skipper
    Amblyscirtes belli - Bell's Roadside-skipper
    Amblyscirtes cassus - Cassus Roadside-skipper

    Megathymini (Hesperiinae) (03/07)


    Pyrrhopyginae (00/01)


    Apyrrothrix araxes - Dull Firetip

    Heteropterinae (02/04)


    Piruna hafernicki - Chisos Skipperling
    Piruna microstictus - Small-spotted Skipperling
    Piruna pirus - Russet Skipperling
    Piruna polingi - Four-spotted Skipperling


    Papilionidae (12/20): Swallowtails  

    Commonly known as Swallowtails, members of this family are some of the largest butterflies in the world. They can be easily recognized by their upturned antennae, lack of palpi, large eyes and the presence of osmaterium in larval stage. Ancient families such as Parnassiinae show some exceptions. Despite the common name, not all species have tails.

    Papilioninae (12/20)




    Pieridae (28/36): Whites and Yellows  

    Also known as the whites and yellows, Pieridae can often be seen mud-puddling. The name "butterfly" is believed to have originated from common brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni which is butter in color.

    Pierinae (08/13)


    Coliadinae (20/23)


    Dismorphiinae (00/01)


    Enantia albania - Costa-spotted Mimic-white


    Lycaenidae (39/69): Blues  

    Also known as the blues because of the blue upperwings of most species, this family contains some of the smallest butterflies of the world. Brephidium exilis - Western Pygmy-blue, is considered to be the smallest butterfly found in the USA.

    Miletinae (00/01)


    Feniseca tarquinius - Harvester

    Lycaeninae (00/01)


    Lycaena dione - Gray Copper

    Theclinae (29/54)


    Allosmaitia strophius - Strophius Hairstreak
    Atlides halesus - Great Purple Hairstreak
    Callophrys gryneus - Juniper Hairstreak
    Callophrys henrici - Henry's Elfin
    Callophrys irus - Frosted Elfin
    Callophrys mcfarlandi - Sandia Hairstreak

    Polyommatinae (10/15)




    Riodinidae (08/17): Metalmarks  

    Commonly known as Metalmarks in the Americas, these butterflies show rather weak flight, often perch under the leaves. They are mostly found inside forests.

    Riodininae (08/17)




    Nymphalidae (78/115): Brush-footed Butterflies  

    Commonly known as the brush-footed butterflies, members of this family have only four functional legs while the forelegs are vestigial. Previously it was separated into different families such as Danaindae, Satyridae, Libytheidae, etc. which now are treated as the subfamilies of Nymphalidae.

    Libytheinae (01/01)


    Libytheana carinenta - American Snout

    Heliconiinae (09/11)


    Nymphalinae (32/44)


    Anartia fatima - Banded Peacock
    Anartia jatrophae - White Peacock
    Chlosyne acastus - Sagebrush Checkerspot
    Chlosyne definita - Definite Patch
    Chlosyne gorgone - Gorgone Checkerspot
    Chlosyne janais - Crimson Patch

    Biblidinae (10/18)


    Limenitidinae (06/06)


    Adelpha basiloides - Spot-celled Sister
    Adelpha eulalia - Arizona Sister
    Adelpha fessonia - Band-celled Sister
    Limenitis archippus - Viceroy
    Limenitis arthemis astyanax - 'Astyanax' Red-spotted Purple
    Limenitis weidemeyerii - Weidemeyer's Admiral

    Cyrestinae (02/03)


    Marpesia chiron - Many-banded Daggerwing
    Marpesia coresia - Waiter Daggerwing
    Marpesia petreus - Ruddy Daggerwing

    Apaturinae (04/05)


    Asterocampa celtis - Hackberry Emperor
    Asterocampa clyton- Tawny Emperor
    Asterocampa leilia - Empress Leilia
    Doxocopa laure - Silver Emperor
    Doxocopa pavon - Pavon emperor

    Charaxinae (03/06)


    Anaea aidea - Tropical Leafwing
    Anaea andria - Goatweed Leafwing
    Anaea echemus - Chestnut Leafwing
    Anaea glycerium - Angled Leafwing
    Memphis forreri - Guatemalan Leafwing
    Memphis pithyusa - Pale-spotted Leafwing

    Satyrinae (08/14)


    Danainae (03/06)


    Danaus plexippus - Monarch
    Danaus gilippus - Queen
    Danaus eresimus - Soldier
    Dircenna klugii - Klug's Clearwing
    Lycorea cleobaea - Tiger Mimic-queen

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