Field Guide

Butterflies and Moths

Showing 61 - 70 of 72 results
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.
image of a Fiery Skipper, Wings Spread
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
Fiery skippers have plain orange undersides scattered with a sprinkling of small dark spots. Males have flame-shaped orange patches on the hindwing upper surface.
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.
image of a Sachem, Wings Folded
Sachem
Atalopedes campestris
Found statewide in grassy, open places, the sachem gets its name from the boldness of the males, which approach and chase away intruders — even people!
image of a Tawny-Edged Skipper, Wings Spread
Tawny-Edged Skipper
Polites themistocles
Wide-ranging and common, the tawny-edged skipper can be seen May through October in a variety of grassy, open habitats.
Bronze copper butterfly perched on a grass blade, wings closed
Bronze Copper
Lycaena hyllus (syn. Hyllolycaena hyllus; Lycaena thoe)
The bronze copper occurs in localized colonies in throughout northern and western Missouri. Look for it May through October in wet, open, grassy areas.
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.
Henry's elfin butterfly resting on an oak leaf at Smith Conservation Area
Henry's Elfin
Callophrys henrici (formerly Incisalia henrici)
Henry’s elfin is a small brown butterfly with splendid camouflage markings. It lives in and near open woodlands. The adults fly only in April and early May, when redbuds and wild plums are blooming.
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.”
Baltimore checkerspot, perched, with wings folded
Baltimore Checkerspot
Euphydryas phaeton ozarkae
The Baltimore checkerspot is unforgettable. In Missouri it is locally abundant in the eastern Ozarks, but rare elsewhere.
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.