The Gallery
Wisconsin is home to roughly 153 butterfly species spread out amongst 6 butterfly families; Swallowtails, Whites and Sulphurs, Gossamer-wing, Metalmarks, Brushfooted, and Skippers. By using the links on this page, you may browse a listing of the butterflies represented here in Wisconsin from each family. There are images, descriptions, and distribution data for each family and subfamily listed.
Swallowtails
(Papilionidae)
Swallowtail butterflies are large, colorful butterflies which form the family Papilionida, this family includes the largest butterflies in the world, the birdwing butterflies of Australia.
Whites and Sulphurs
(Pieridae)
The Pieridae are a large family of butterflies and are characterized by mainly white or yellow coloration, often with black spots. Wisconsin has representatives of 2 subfamilies, the Whites (Pierinae) and the Sulphurs (Coliadinae).
Gossamer-wing Butterflies
(Lycaenidae)
The Lycaenidae are the second largest family of butterflies in the world and constitute about 40% of the known butterfly species. Wisconsin has representatives from 4 subfamily's; the harvesters (Miletinae), the coppers (Lycaeninae), the hairstreaks (Theclinae), and the blues (Polyommatinae).
Metalmarks
(Riodinidae)
The Riodinidae have the common name metalmarks due to small metallic looking spots commonly found on their wings.
Brushfooted
(Nymphalidae)
The Nymphalidae are generally medium to large sized butterflies with many species being brightly colored. In adult butterflies, the first pair of legs are small or reduced, giving the family their common name of four-footed or brush-footed butterflies.
Skippers
(Hesperiidae)
The Hesperiidae get their common name the Skippers after their quick, darting flight habits. They generally have stockier bodies with strong wing muscles.