Maryland is home to a variety of beautiful butterflies, from the large and showy Eastern Tiger Swallowtail to the tiny and delicate Blue Dasher. There are over 150 species of butterflies in Maryland, they can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests to fields to gardens.
Some of the most common butterflies found in Maryland include the Monarch, the Black Swallowtail, the Red Admiral, and the Painted Lady. These butterflies are all attracted to nectar-rich flowers, they can be seen fluttering through meadows and gardens in the spring and summer.
Overview of Maryland Butterflies
Maryland is home to about 150 species of butterflies and skippers, which are commonly found hovering across the woods, fields, yards, and gardens. These beautiful creatures are an essential part of Maryland’s biodiversity and play a crucial role in pollination.
Some of the common butterflies found in Maryland are the Monarch, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail, Black Swallowtail, and Giant Swallowtail. These butterflies can be easily identified by their unique wing patterns and colors.
The butterfly populations in Maryland have been impacted by habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use. However, several conservation efforts are being made to protect these species and their habitats.
Citizen science campaigns like Monarch Watch and the North American Butterfly Association play a significant role in butterfly conservation efforts in Maryland. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service also provides information and resources for butterfly enthusiasts.
Common Species of Butterflies in Maryland
Swallowtails
Swallowtails are a common type of butterfly in Maryland. They are large and colorful, with distinctive tails on their hindwings. Some common swallowtail species found in Maryland include the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail, and the Giant Swallowtail. The Palamedes Swallowtail is a rare species that can be found in the southern part of the state.
Skippers
Skippers are a small and fast-flying type of butterfly that can be found throughout Maryland. They are often brown or orange in color and have a stocky build. Some common skipper species in Maryland include the Silver-Spotted Skipper, Long Dash Skipper, and the Zabulon Skipper.
Monarch
The Monarch butterfly is a well-known species that can be found in Maryland. They are known for their bright orange and black wings, and their long migration to Mexico each year. Monarchs can be found in fields and meadows throughout the state.
Great Spangled Fritillary
The Great Spangled Fritillary is a large and colorful butterfly that can be found in Maryland. They have orange and black wings with silver spots, and can often be seen feeding on flowers in meadows and fields.
American Lady
The American Lady is a common butterfly found in Maryland. They have brown and orange wings with distinctive white spots, and can often be seen feeding on flowers in meadows and fields.
Eastern Comma
The Eastern Comma is a small butterfly that can be found in Maryland. They have brown and orange wings with a distinctive white comma-shaped marking on the underside of their hindwings.
Painted Lady
The Painted Lady is a colorful butterfly that can be found in Maryland. They have orange and black wings with distinctive white spots, and can often be seen feeding on flowers in meadows and fields.
Eastern Tailed-Blue
The Eastern Tailed-Blue is a small and delicate butterfly that can be found in Maryland. They have blue wings with a distinctive orange spot on the underside of their hindwings.
Viceroy
The Viceroy is a common butterfly found in Maryland. They have orange and black wings with distinctive white spots, and can often be seen feeding on flowers in meadows and fields.
Hackberry Emperor
The Hackberry Emperor is a large and colorful butterfly that can be found in Maryland. They have brown and orange wings with distinctive white spots, and can often be seen feeding on flowers in meadows and fields.
Variegated Fritillary
The Variegated Fritillary is a colorful butterfly that can be found in Maryland. They have orange and black wings with distinctive white spots, and can often be seen feeding on flowers in meadows and fields.
Red Admiral
The Red Admiral is a common butterfly found in Maryland. They have black and red wings with distinctive white spots, and can often be seen feeding on flowers in meadows and fields.
Question Mark
The Question Mark is a small and delicate butterfly that can be found in Maryland. They have brown and orange wings with a distinctive white question mark-shaped marking on the underside of their hindwings.
Pearl Crescent
The Pearl Crescent is a small and colorful butterfly that can be found in Maryland. They have orange and black wings with distinctive white spots, and can often be seen feeding on flowers in meadows and fields.
Common Buckeye
The Common Buckeye is a common butterfly found in Maryland. They have brown and orange wings with distinctive white spots, and can often be seen feeding on flowers in meadows and fields.
Orange Sulphur
The Orange Sulphur is a small and delicate butterfly that can be found in Maryland. They have orange wings with a distinctive black border, and can often be seen feeding on flowers in meadows and fields.
Gray Hairstreak
The Gray Hairstreak is a small and delicate butterfly that can be found in Maryland. They have gray wings with a distinctive white and orange spot near the base of their hindwings.
Banded Hairstreak
The Banded Hairstreak is a small and delicate butterfly that can be found in Maryland. They have brown and orange wings with a distinctive white band on their hindwings.
Tawny Emperor
The Tawny Emperor is a large and colorful butterfly that can be found in Maryland. They have brown and orange wings with distinctive white spots, and can often be seen feeding on flowers in meadows and fields.
Frosted Elfin
The Frosted Elfin is a small and rare butterfly that can be found in Maryland. They have brown wings with a distinctive white and blue pattern near the base of their hindwings.
Olympia Marble
The Olympia Marble is a small and rare butterfly that can be found in Maryland. They have white and black wings with
Lifecycle of Maryland Butterflies
Egg
The lifecycle of a butterfly begins with the egg. The female butterfly lays eggs on the underside of leaves or on stems of plants. The eggs are usually small and round and can be of different colors.
The color of the egg can be brown, yellow, green, or white depending on the species of the butterfly.
Caterpillar
Once the eggs hatch, the caterpillar emerges. The caterpillar is the larval stage of the butterfly and is the feeding stage of the butterfly’s life cycle. Caterpillars are usually cylindrical in shape and have a segmented body. They have six true legs and several pairs of false legs. The caterpillar feeds on leaves and grows rapidly during this stage.
Pupa
After the caterpillar has eaten enough, it enters the pupal stage. The pupa is the resting stage of the butterfly’s life cycle. During this stage, the caterpillar transforms into an adult butterfly. The pupa is usually brown or green in color and is enclosed in a cocoon or chrysalis.
Adult
The adult butterfly emerges from the pupa. The adult stage is the reproductive stage of the butterfly’s life cycle. The adult butterfly feeds on nectar from flowers and mates to produce eggs. The lifespan of an adult butterfly can vary depending on the species. Some species can live for only a few days, while others can live for several months.
Habitats and Host Plants
Maryland is home to about 150 species of butterflies, each with its unique habitat and host plant requirements. Some butterflies are habitat generalists and found in a wide variety of places,
while others are habitat specialists and confined to very specialized conditions, never straying very far from areas with a certain type of plant on which the caterpillar feeds.
Butterflies can be found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, gardens, fields, forests, and wetlands. Some of the most common habitats for butterflies in Maryland include grassy fields, woodland edges, and sunny meadows.
These habitats provide the necessary food and shelter for butterflies to thrive.
Host plants are essential for the survival of butterflies. Host plants are the plants on which the female butterfly lays her eggs, and the caterpillars feed on the leaves.
Different species of butterflies have different host plant requirements. For example, the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly lays its eggs on the leaves of the Turtlehead plant, while the Monarch butterfly lays its eggs on the leaves of the Milkweed plant.
Milkweed is an essential host plant for the Monarch butterfly. The caterpillars of the Monarch butterfly feed exclusively on milkweed leaves, and without this plant,
the population of Monarch butterflies would decline significantly. Other host plants commonly found in Maryland include clover, red bay, and other native flowering plants.
Butterfly Watching in Maryland
Maryland is home to around 150 species of butterflies and skippers, making it a great destination for butterfly watching. Worcester and Somerset Counties, located on the lower Eastern
Shore, are particularly rich in butterfly species. Here are some tips for butterfly watching in Maryland:
- Best Time to Watch Butterflies: The best time to watch butterflies in Maryland is from late spring to early fall when the weather is warm and sunny. Butterflies are most active during the day, so it’s best to plan your butterfly watching trips during the daytime.
- Ideal Locations: Worcester and Somerset Counties are great locations for butterfly watching in Maryland. The swamps in these counties are home to the rare Red Bay, which is the only food source for the Palamedes Swallowtail caterpillar. This specialization makes the Palamedes Swallowtail vulnerable to local extirpation, making it a rare and exciting butterfly to spot.
- Equipment: To make the most of your butterfly watching experience, you will need a pair of binoculars, a camera, and a field guide to identify the different butterfly species. A butterfly net can also be useful for catching and releasing butterflies for closer observation.
- Butterfly Behavior: Butterflies are attracted to bright colors and sweet smells, so wearing brightly colored clothing and using sweet-smelling lotions can help attract them to you. Butterflies also tend to gather around flowers, so visiting gardens and meadows can be a great way to spot them.
Maryland State Insect
The Maryland State Insect is the Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton), which is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan ranging from 1.75 to 2.75 inches.
This butterfly is named after the city of Baltimore and is known for its striking black and orange markings. It can be found in meadows, fields, and wetlands throughout Maryland, and is often seen flying low to the ground in search of nectar.
The Baltimore Checkerspot is a member of the Nymphalidae family and is closely related to other checkerspot butterflies. It is a migratory species that can be found throughout the eastern United States, from Maine to Florida.
Despite being the state insect, the Baltimore Checkerspot is considered to be a threatened species in Maryland due to habitat loss and other factors. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this beautiful butterfly and its habitat, including the creation of butterfly gardens and the restoration of wetlands.
Rare and Unique Butterflies in Maryland
White Admiral
The White Admiral butterfly (Limenitis arthemis arthemis) is a rare and elusive species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive black and white coloring with a splash of blue on its wings.
It is known to inhabit the forested areas of the state, particularly near streams and rivers.
Astyanax
The Astyanax butterfly (Asterocampa celtis) is a unique species found in Maryland. It has a brownish-orange coloring with black and white spots on its wings.
It is known to inhabit the forested areas of the state, particularly near elm and hackberry trees.
Atlantis Fritillary
The Atlantis Fritillary butterfly (Speyeria atlantis) is a rare species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive orange and black coloring with white spots on its wings. It is known to inhabit the wetlands and meadows of the state.
Diana
The Diana butterfly (Speyeria diana) is a rare and beautiful species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive orange and black coloring with white spots on its wings. It is known to inhabit the meadows and grasslands of the state.
Regal Fritillary
The Regal Fritillary butterfly (Speyeria idalia) is a rare and unique species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive orange and black coloring with white spots on its wings. It is known to inhabit the grasslands and prairies of the state.
Gulf Fritillary
The Gulf Fritillary butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) is a rare and beautiful species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive orange coloring with black and white spots on its wings. It is known to inhabit the gardens and fields of the state.
Zebra Heliconian
The Zebra Heliconian butterfly (Heliconius charithonia) is a unique species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive black and white coloring with yellow spots on its wings. It is known to inhabit the gardens and fields of the state.
Queen
The Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus) is a rare and beautiful species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive orange coloring with black and white spots on its wings. It is known to inhabit the gardens and fields of the state.
Compton Tortoiseshell
The Compton Tortoiseshell butterfly (Nymphalis vaualbum) is a unique species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive orange and black coloring with white spots on its wings. It is known to inhabit the forests and meadows of the state.
Gray Comma
The Gray Comma butterfly (Polygonia progne) is a rare and beautiful species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive gray and brown coloring with white spots on its wings. It is known to inhabit the forests and meadows of the state.
Harris’ Checkerspot
The Harris’ Checkerspot butterfly (Chlosyne harrisii) is a unique species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive orange and black coloring with white spots on its wings. It is known to inhabit the grasslands and meadows of the state.
Tawny Crescent
The Tawny Crescent butterfly (Phyciodes batesii) is a rare and beautiful species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive orange and black coloring with white spots on its wings. It is known to inhabit the gardens and fields of the state.
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
The Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly (Aglais milberti) is a unique species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive orange and black coloring with white spots on its wings. It is known to inhabit the forests and meadows of the state.
West Virginia White
The West Virginia White butterfly (Pieris virginiensis) is a rare and beautiful species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive white coloring with black spots on its wings. It is known to inhabit the forests and meadows of the state.
Checkered White
The Checkered White butterfly (Pontia protodice) is a unique species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive white coloring with black spots on its wings. It is known to inhabit the gardens and fields of the state.
Falcate Orangetip
The Falcate Orangetip butterfly (Anthocharis midea) is a rare and beautiful species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive orange and white coloring with black spots on its wings. It is known to inhabit the forests and meadows of the state.
Pink-Edged Sulphur
The Pink-Edged Sulphur butterfly (Colias interior) is a unique species found in Maryland. It has a distinctive yellow coloring with pink edges on its wings. It is known to inhabit the
Frequently Asked Questions
What butterflies live in Maryland?
Maryland is home to a variety of butterfly species, including the Black Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Cabbage White, Clouded Sulphur, and Monarch. These butterflies can be found in various habitats such as fields, gardens, savannas, and open areas.
What is the rare butterfly in Maryland?
The rare butterfly in Maryland is the Baltimore Checkerspot. It is a medium-sized butterfly with distinctive black and orange markings on its wings. The Baltimore Checkerspot is currently listed as a threatened species in Maryland due to habitat loss and degradation.
How many species of butterflies are in Maryland?
Maryland has an estimated 135 species of butterflies. However, the number may vary depending on the season and habitat.
What are the 6 different butterflies?
There are many different types of butterflies in Maryland, but some of the most common include the Black Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Cabbage White, Clouded Sulphur, Monarch, and Baltimore Checkerspot.
What are some common butterflies in South Carolina?
While this section is about Maryland, it’s worth noting that some common butterflies in South Carolina include the Eastern Black Swallowtail, Zebra Swallowtail, and Gulf Fritillary.
What is a butterfly garden in Maryland?
A butterfly garden in Maryland is a garden designed to attract butterflies. It is typically planted with nectar-producing flowers and host plants for caterpillars. Butterfly gardens provide a habitat for butterflies and other pollinators and can be a beautiful addition to any landscape.
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