Field Guide

Butterflies and Moths

Showing 71 - 80 of 83 results
photo of a Cloudless Sulphur nectaring on a thistle
Cloudless Sulphur
Phoebis sennae
The cloudless sulphur is the large, clear-yellow butterfly you see flying rapidly to the southward in late summer and fall: They’re migrating!
Photo of a falcate orangetip nectaring on a spring beauty flower
Falcate Orangetip
Anthocharis midea
Falcate orangetip males are unmistakable with their small size, white coloration, and orange wingtips. Look for them in open woodlands in April.
Photo of a Delaware Skipper
Delaware Skipper
Anatrytone logan
The undersides of the Delaware skipper's wings are solid orange. It's found statewide in a variety of habitats.
Photo of a Least Skipper
Least Skipper
Ancyloxypha numitor
One of the smallest skippers in the eastern United States, the least skipper is found in moist, grassy areas, usually near water.
Photo of a Peck's Skipper
Peck's Skipper
Polites peckius
Peck’s skipper is found in Missouri’s fields, lawns, and other open habitats from May through October. Identify it by the one yellow hindwing rectangle that is wider than the others.
Photo of a Common Checkered Skipper
Common Checkered Skipper
Pyrgus communis
The white and black checkered pattern makes this a simple identification. The common checkered skipper is the only checkered skipper in Missouri.
Coral hairstreak butterfly on butterfly weed flowers
Coral Hairstreak
Satyrium titus (syn. Harkenclenus titus)
The coral hairstreak is the only Missouri hairstreak lacking hindwing “tails” and without a blue spot on the outer hindwing edge.
Two spring azure butterflies resting and drinking moisture from a wet rock
Spring Azure
Celastrina ladon
The spring azure is among the first butterflies of the year. It occurs in a variety of habitats. The early spring appearance helps you identify it.
Photo of a Summer Azure
Summer Azure
Celastrina neglecta
Formerly considered the same species as the spring azure, the summer azure can be identified, in large part, by the season when you see it.
American snout butterfly resting with wings folded
American Snout
Libytheana carinent
Most of us identify butterflies by their color patterns, but you can ID the American snout by its long “nose.”
See Also
image of Caddisfly on leaf
Caddisflies
About 1,500 species in North America north of Mexico
Adult caddisflies are mothlike. Their larvae are aquatic and build portable, protective cases out of local materials, including grains of sand, bits of leaves and twigs, and other debris.
Photo of eastern dobsonfly
Eastern Dobsonfly
Corydalus cornutus
Adult eastern dobsonflies are huge and mothlike, with large wings and a weak, fluttery flight. The fiercely predaceous aquatic larvae, called hellgrammites, are well-known to anglers, who often use them as bait.

About Butterflies and Moths in Missouri

Butterflies, skippers, and moths belong to an insect order called the Lepidoptera — the "scale-winged" insects. These living jewels have tiny, overlapping scales that cover their wings like shingles. The scales, whether muted or colorful, seem dusty if they rub off on your fingers. Many butterflies and moths are associated with particular types of food plants, which their caterpillars must eat in order to survive.