About

Butterfly Life List

Updated July 14, 2025

A photographic list of butterflies I’ve spotted or photographed in my travels — from the Glass Wing to the Sonoran Metalmark.

Butterfly Life List (Papilionoidea), a collage of butterfly images photographed in Peru, Colombia, Oregon, and beyond.

Butterflies are amazing creatures once you get a chance to look at them up close. Like everybody else, I've lived most of my life not paying much attention to them.

When my son was transitioning from baby to toddler and I started pointing things out to him, I started to notice things I hadn't noticed much since I was...two? Now my toddler enjoys sitting in the yard with me, looking at bugs. This section attempts to identify and catalogue butterflies into a cohesive butterfly list I have seen while traveling for Notes from the Road.

Butterflies are mentioned in many of articles, especially in The Blue Butterfly at the End of the Loneliest Road and in several articles in the Neotropics section.

I've organized my butterflies by family:

Papilionidae
Nymphalidae
Pieridae
Lycaenidae

Riodinidae
Hesperiidae
Unidentified

The Swallowtails (Family Papilionidae)

The Swallowtails (Family Papilionidae) are a family of butterflies known for their striking appearance and elegant flight patterns. Characterized by their large size, vibrant colors, and distinct tails on their hindwings, Swallowtails are found worldwide, with many species exhibiting intricate patterns and unique adaptations for both camouflage and courtship displays.

King Swallowtail

Papilio thoas, photographed on the Tambopata River, Peru

Scarce Swallowtail

Iphiclides podalirius, photographed near Motovun, Istria, Croatia

Old World Swallowtail

Papilio machaon, photographed in Paros Park, Paros, Greece

Western Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio rutulus, photographed in Portland, Oregon

Clodius Parnassian

Parnassium Clodius, photographed on Larch Mountain, Oregon

The Brushfoots (Family Nymphalidae)

The Brushfoots (Family Nymphalidae) represent a diverse and large family of butterflies known for the reduction or loss of their front pair of legs, making them appear as if they have only four functional legs, resembling a brush. This family includes a wide variety of species, ranging from the vibrant and well-known monarch butterflies to the cryptically colored and camouflaged members like the Mourning Cloak.

Common Ringlet

Coenonympha tullia, photographed in Summer Lake, Oregon

Balkan Marbled White

Melanargia larissa, photographed in Paros Park, Paros, Greece

Guatemalan Cracker

Hamadryas guatemalena, photographed in Progreso, Yucatán, Mexico

Painted Lady

Vanessa cardui, photographed in Oregon

Pedaliodes tyrrheus

Pedaliodes tyrrheus, photographed in the Santa Marta Mountains, Magdalena, Colombia

Corinna Daggerwing

Marpesia corinna, photographed at El Dorado Lodge in the Santa Marta Mountains, Magdalena, Colombia

Orange Daggerwing

Marpesia berania, photographed on the Tambopata River, Peru

Queen Butterfly

Danaus gillipus, photographed in Oro Valley, Arizona.

Common Beak

Libythea lepita, photographed on Ganghwa Island, South Korea

Red Rim

Biblis hyperia, also called the Crimson-banded Black, photographed on the Napo River, Ecuador

West Indian Mangrove Buckeye

Junonia genoveva, photographed in Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas in a weedy area adjacent to mangroves.

Menelaus Blue Morpho

Morpho Menalaus, photographed at Pipeline Road, Panama.

Morpho rhodopteron Butterfly

Morpho rhodopteron, photographed at El Dorado Lodge, Santa Marta Mountains, Magdalena, Colombia.

Hübner's Glad-eye

Calisto Herophile, photographed in Jardin Botanico Nacional near Havana, Cuba

Crathis Tigerwing

Olyras Crathis, photographed in Panama

Gulf Fritillary

Agraulis vanillae is sometimes called the Passion Butterfly. photographed in Havana, Cuba

Variegated Fritillary

Euptoieta claudia, photographed in the Abaco Islands, Bahamas

Queen of Spain Fritillary

Issoria lathonia, photographed near Motovun, Istria, Croatia

Blue-gray Satyr

Magneuptychia libye, photographed on the Caribbean coast, Panama

Carolina Satyr

Hermeuptychia sosybius, photographed in New Orleans, Louisiana

Hermes Satyr

Hermeuptychia hermes, photographed in New Orleans, Louisiana

Erato Heliconian

Heliconius erato, photographed in Soberania National Park, Panama.

Julia Heliconian

Dryas iulia, photographed on the Tambopata River, Peru

Isabella's Heliconian

Eueides isabella, photographed in Soberania National Park, Panama.

Empress Leilia

Asterocampa leilia photographed in Oro Valley, Arizona.

Lorquin's Admiral

Limenitis lorquini, photographed in Oregon

Oileus Giant Owl

Caligo oileus, photographed in the Canal Zone, Panama.

Banded Owl-Butterfly

Caligo atreus, photographed in the Santa Marta Mountains, Magdalena, Colombia

Mourning Cloak

Nymphalis antiopa, photographed on Mount Hood, Oregon.

Common Wood-nymph

Cercyonis pegala, photographed in Carver Park Reserve, Carver County, Minnesota

Small Wood-nymph

Cercyonis oetus, photographed in Tumalo Reservoir, Deschutes County, Oregon

California Tortoiseshell

Nymphalis californica, photographed in Oregon

Bordered Patch

Chlosyne lacinia, photographed in Madera Canyon, Arizona.

Milbert's Tortoiseshell

Aglais milberti

Claudina Crescent

Tegosa claudina, photographed in Panama.

Pale Banded Crescent

Anthanassa tulcis, photographed in Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Orange-patched Crescent

Anthanassa drusilla

Three-banded Crescent

Eresia ithomioides alsina, photographed in Panama.

Cuban Crescent

Anthanassa frisia, photographed near Havana, Cuba

Cuban Crescent (Dubia Subspecies)

Anthanassa frisia dubia , photographed in La Guajira, Colombia

Pearl Crescent

Phyciodes tharos, photographed in Louisiana.

Mylitta Crescent

Phyciodes mylitta, photographed in Tualatin, Oregon

Tiny Checkerspot

Dymasia dymas, photographed in Madera Canyon, Arizona.

Leanira Checkerspot

Chlosyne leanira

Hoffmann's Checkerspot

Chlosyne hoffmanni

Edith's Checkerspot

Euphydryas editha, photographed in Eagle Creek Gorge, Oregon

Postman Butterfly

Heliconius melpomene, photographed on the Tambopata River, Peru

American Snout Butterfly

Libytheana carinenta, photographed in Oro Valley, Arizona. This unusual butterfly features a snout which looks like a dead branch, and is used as camouflage.

Red Admiral

Vanessa atalanta, photographed in Oregon.

Napeogenes inachia

photographed in Ecuador

Illinissa Glasswing

Hyposcada illinissa, photographed in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador

Pink Glasswing

Cithaeria aurora, photographed in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador

White Peacock

Anartia jatrophae, photographed in Tamarindo, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. I also photographed this species in Havana, Cuba.

Banded Peacock

Papilio crino, photographed in Gamboa, Panama

Ithomiidae Chiapas Glasswing Butterfly

Ithomiidae Chiapas, photographed in Panama

The Sapho Longwing

Heliconius Sapho, photographed in the Canal Zone, Panama.

Sara Longwing Butterfly

Heliconius sara, photographed in Southeastern Peru

Zebra Longwing

Heliconius charithonia. Also called the Zebra Heliconian. photographed in Jardín Botánico Nacional, Cuba.

Scarce Bamboo Page

Philaethria dido, photographed on the North Coast Honduras

California Sister

Adelpha californica, photographed in Eagle Creek Gorge, Oregon

Smooth-Banded Sister

Adelpha cytherea, photographed in Panama

Malachite Butterfly

Siproeta stelenes, photographed in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador

Scarlet Peacock

Anartia amathea, photographed in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador

Widespread Eighty-eight (Cramer's Eighty-Eight)

Callicore hesperis, photographed in Minca, Colombia. Earlier, I photographed this species on the Tambopata River in Peru.

Hesperis Eighty-eight

Callicore hesperis, photographed on the Tambopata River, Peru

Two-eyed Eighty-eight

Callicore pithaes, photographed in the Tayrona National Park region of Magdalena, Colombia

Tracta Sister

Adelpha tracta, photographed on Volcan Mombacho in Nicaragua.

Northern Pearly-eye

Enodia anthedon, photographed at the Minnesota Valley NWR, Minnesota

Mexican Bluewing

Myscelia ethusa, photographed in Nicaragua

Elf

Microtia Elva, photographed in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.

Elf, (Microtia Elva), San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Catonephele antinoe

photographed in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador.

Acontius Firewing

Catonephele acontius, photographed in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador

The Whites and Sulphurs (Family Pieridae)

The Whites and Sulphurs (Family Pieridae) are a family of butterflies characterized by their predominantly white, yellow, or orange coloration. This family includes well-known species such as the cabbage whites and clouded yellows, and they are often associated with open habitats where their bright colors may serve various ecological functions, from mate attraction to warning signals.

Perrhybris Pamela Butterfly

Perrhybris pamela, photographed on the Tambopata River, Peru

Clouded Yellow Butterfly

Colias croceus, photographed in Sečovlje Salina Nature Park, Piran, Slovenia

Fairy Yellow

Eurema daira, photographed in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica

Costa-Spotted Mimic White

Enantia albania, photographed in Panama

Apaturina Dartwhite

Catasticta apaturina, photographed in Andean Ecuador

Silky Wanderer

Leptophobia eleone, photographed in the Ecuadorian Andes

Great Southern White

Ascia monuste, photographed in Abaco, Bahamas.

Southern Small White

Pieris mannii, photographed in Naoussa, Paros, Greece.

White Angled-Sulphur

Anteos clorinde, Santa Maria Beach, Los Cabos, Mexico

Cloudless Sulphur

Phoebis sennae, Pipeline Road, Panama

Narrow-banded Dartwhite

Catasticta flisa , photographed in the Ecuadorian Andes.

Pink-edged Sulphur

Colias interior, photographed in Wright County, Minnesota

Dimera Sulphur

Colias dimera, photographed in Ecuadorian Andes

Sleepy Orange

Eurema nicippe, Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii Island, Hawaii

Brimstone

Gonepteryx rhamni, Tengstedt, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Western White

Pontia occidentalis , photographed on Mount Hood, Oregon

Cabbage White

Pieris rapae, photographed in Oregon

Gossamer-Winged Butterflies (Family Lycaenidae)

Gossamer-Winged Butterflies (Family Lycaenidae) are a diverse group known for their delicate appearance and often vibrant colors. This family includes numerous small to medium-sized butterflies, and many species exhibit intricate interactions with ants during their life cycle, as larvae form mutualistic relationships with ants for protection.

Atala Butterfly

Eumaeus atala photographed in Abaco, Bahamas. I write about this species in the Northern Bahamas dry forest journal.

Gray Hairstreak

Strymon melinus, photographed in Ridefield NWR, Washington.

Blue Copper

Lycaena heteronea, photographed in California.

Marine Blue

Leptotes marina, photographed in Madera Canyon, Arizona. Hans thinks this is Reakirt's female.

Holly Blue Butterfly

Celastrina argiolus, photographed in Sicily, Italy. This species is present in both Eurasia and North America.

Reakirt's Blue

Echinargus isola, photographed in Madera Canyon, Arizona.

Green Hairstreak

Callophrys rubi, photographed in Aiguamolls, Catalonia, Spain

Nelson's Hairstreak

Callophrys nelsoni, photographed in Portland, Oregon

Echo Azure

Celastrina echo, photographed in Madera Canyon, Arizona.

Western Pygmy Blue

Brephidium exilis, photographed in California

Anna's Blue

Plebejus anna, photographed in Oregon

Square-spotted Blue

Euphilotes battoides, photographed on Mount Hood, Oregon

Western Tailed-blue

Cupido amyntula, photographed in Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, Oregon

Silvery Blue

Glaucopsyche lygdamus, photographed on Mount Hood, Oregon

Silver-studded Blue

Plebejus arguss, photographed in Sečovlje Salina Nature Park, Piran, Slovenia

Brown Argus

Aricia agestis, photographed in Tengstedt, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Southern Brown Argus

Aricia cramera, photographed in Zaghouan, Tunisia

Spring Azure

Celastrina ladon, photographed at Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota.

Acmon Blue

Plebejus acmon, photographed in Oregon.

Eastern-tailed Blue

Cupido comyntas, photographed on Great Abaco Island, Bahamas.

Eastern-tailed Blue

Cupido comyntas, photographed in Tayrona National Park, Magdalena, Colombia.

Barred Yellow

Eurema daira, photographed in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. Often also called the Barred Sulphur.

Female Barred Yellow butterfly, photographed in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica

Barred Yellow, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica

MetalMarks (Family Riodinidae)

Metalmarks (Family Riodinidae) are a group of butterflies characterized by their metallic and reflective wing markings. Members of this family are often small to medium-sized, and their distinctive wing patterns can range from subtle iridescence to bold metallic hues. Metalmarks are found in various habitats, primarily in tropical regions, and their striking wing colors and patterns play roles in both mate attraction and predator deterrence.

Laverna Metalmark

Calephelis laverna, photographed in Tayrona National Park, Magdalena, Colombia

Lagora Eyemark

Leucochimona lagora, photographed in Panama.

Sword-tailed Beautymark

Rhetus arcius, photographed in Tamarindo, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. This brilliant butterfly is by far among the very beautiful I have ever seen. It came as a complete surprise to find it resting on sidewalk in busy Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Unfortunately, I only had my phone camera and was unable to capture it's vivid glory. I spent several days going back to the same location to see if I could relocate it, but no luck!

Lasus Eyemark

Perophthalma lasus, photographed in Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.

Sonoran Metalmark

Apodemia mejicanus, photographed in Southern Arizona.

Fatal Metalmark

Calephelis nemesis, photographed at Patagonia Lake, Arizona.

Hyalina Metalmark

Thisbe hyalina, photographed in Panama.

Mexican Metalmark

Apodemia mejicanus, photographed at Santa Maria Beach, Baja Sur, Mexico.

Blue-patched Eyed-Metalmark

Mesosemia coelestis, photographed in Panama.

Skippers (Family Hesperiidae)

Skippers (Family Hesperiidae) are a diverse group of butterflies characterized by their robust bodies, rapid and darting flight, and hooked tips at the end of their antennae. They are often intermediate in appearance between true butterflies and moths, with a compact body structure and wings that are typically more triangular in shape. Skippers are found in a variety of habitats worldwide, and many species are known for their relatively inconspicuous yet fascinating behaviors, making them an interesting and varied family within the order Lepidoptera.

Dull Firetip

Apyrrothrix araxes, photographed in Madera Canyon, Arizona.

Hammock Skipper

Polygonus leo, photographed in the Abaco Islands, Bahamas.

Creon Skipper, Lilliana subspecies

Creonpyge creon lilliana. I photographed this Creon Skipper in El Valle de Anton, Panama. It is apparently the first photograph of a living Lilliana Creon Skipper.