Field Guide

Butterflies and Moths

Showing 51 - 60 of 63 results
Photo of a dainty sulphur perched on a dried flower, side view
Dainty Sulphur
Nathalis iole
Each year, dainty sulphurs arrive in Missouri from regions to our south. They are small compared to other sulphur butterflies. The wingspan of the largest individuals reaches only about 1¼ inches.
Photo of a little yellow nectaring on a native aster flower
Little Yellow
Pyrisitia lisa (syn. Eurema lisa)
The little yellow is just what the name says it is. The lower side is yellow with a few spots, including two tiny black spots on the basal hindwing and, often, a larger rusty spot on the hindwing margin.
Photo of an Orange Sulphur taking nectar from a flower
Orange Sulphur (Alfalfa Butterfly)
Colias eurytheme
One of the most common butterflies in Missouri, the orange sulphur often gathers in numbers in moist places.
Photo of a southern dogface taking nectar on a pale purple coneflower
Southern Dogface
Zerene cesonia (formerly Colias cesonia)
The southern dogface has a dog’s head pictured on its yellow forewings. It repopulates our state each year from the south.
Image of a silver-spotted skipper
Silver-Spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
In a large, global family of several thousand species, the silver-spotted skipper is one of the easiest to identify in our state.
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!
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.