20 Types of Butterflies in Washington | Nature Blog Network (2024)

The forests, fields, and coastal wilds of Washington State are home to vibrant communities of fluttering wings. Throughout the temperate seasons, diverse butterflies float colored mosaics across landscape and life. From tiny pygmies to masterful monarchs, each insect incarnates specialized survival through pollination or predation. Within these delicate creatures lies intrinsic worth, interconnectedness, and stories yet untold. This guide explores 20 brilliantly hued inhabitants that dance amidst native habitat, down to danced nectar and leafy banquets. May their splendor Hearten your step through leaf-laced paths, ascolor incarnates nature’s interwoven tapestry, before our wondering eyes.

1. Cabbage White Butterfly

The cabbage white butterfly, known scientifically as Pieris rapae, is commonly found in gardens and parks across Washington. This white butterfly has black spots on its wings and a wingspan that averages about 1.25–1.75 inches. Cabbage white butterflies particularly like to lay their eggs on plants in the cabbage family like broccoli, cauliflower and mustards. The caterpillars eat the leaves of these plants. The adult butterflies feed on flowers, especiallyBrassica crops. This makes the cabbage white butterfly a major agricultural pest at times. They are known for their rapid reproductive cycle and ability to develop resistance to insecticides. Despite their pest status, cabbage white butterflies fill an important role in gardens as pollinators. Their distinctive coloring and wandering flight patterns make them very noticeable butterflies.

2. Western Tiger Swallowtail

With its bright yellow wings marked with black stripes, the western tiger swallowtail butterfly is one of the most beautiful butterflies found in Washington. Their wingspan averages 3-4 inches wide. These butterflies are commonly seen flying along roadsides, in forests and gardens across the state. The western tiger swallowtail preferentially lays its eggs on trees in the citrus family like native black cottonwood and tall Oregon-grape. The caterpillars then eat the leaves of these trees. Adults feed primarily on flower nectar, with favorites being buckeye, manzanita and lilac flowers. This large and colorful butterfly helps to pollinate many native plant species. Their distinctive flying style, with wings held out instead of together overhead, makes western tiger swallowtails easily identifiable even from a distance.

3. Mourning Cloak Butterfly

The mourning cloak butterfly is one of the largest and hardiest butterflies found in Washington state. They have a wingspan that averages 1.75-2.5 inches wide. Despite overwintering as adults, mourning cloak butterflies can be seen flying all winter long on warm sunny days. Their upper wings are dark purplish-brown with a white-dotted border, while their undersides are a lighter brownish color. Mourning cloak caterpillars feed on many deciduous tree species like willows and aspens. Adults often sun themselves on tree trunks during the warmer months. These long-lived butterflies are noticeably calmer and less skittish than many others. Their drab coloring acts as camouflage while they bask in sunbeams on tree bark. Mourning cloak butterflies serve an ecological role as prey for insectivorous birds through the winter season.

4. Painted Lady Butterfly

Characterized by their orange and black wings with white spots, painted lady butterflies are delicate-looking but hardy fliers. They have an average wingspan of 2-2.5 inches. Painted ladies migrate in vast numbers each spring and fall across North America. During migration periods they are one of the most commonly encountered butterfly species throughout Washington. As a species that travels great distances, painted ladies can lay eggs on a wide variety of plants, including thistles, hollyhocks and mallows. The caterpillars are known for traveling en masse as they eat their host plants. Adults feed on nectar sources like yarrow, chamomile and asters. Painted ladies help pollinate these wildflowers during their long migratory flights. Their ability to travel far and reproduce quickly enables painted ladies to flourish across diverse regions.

5. West Coast Lady Butterfly

With bold red and black coloring, the west coast lady butterfly stands out amongst other Washington butterflies. Their average wingspan is 1.5-2 inches wide. In the spring and summer months these butterflies can be spotted visiting a variety of flowers across the state. West coast lady caterpillars exclusively eat Pacific spiderwort plants. Adults also feed heavily on spiderwort nectar as well as other water-loving flowers like monkeyflower and lilies. Their close relationship with spiderwort makes west coast ladies an important pollinator species for wetland plant communities. The bold pigments in their wings complement the brighter flower tones favored for nectaring. These butterflies provide a splash of vibrant color among greenery near creeks, ponds and coastal areas throughout Washington.

6. Melissa Blue Butterfly

The blue and gray wings of the melissa blue butterfly make it a subtly attractive species. Their wingspan is approximately 1-1.25 inches. These small butterflies prefer damp meadow habitats and forest clearings across western Washington. Melissa blue caterpillars eat a variety of legume plants like bush clovers. Adults mostly nectar on low-growing purple flowers like lupines, thyme-leaved speedwell and vetch blossoms. They have a weak, fluttering flight as they move between blossoms. The top side of their wings appear as a solid gray-blue, while the underside is patterned in whites and grays for camouflage. Despite their muted colors, melissa blues fill an pollinator role and add fluttering motion to moist woodland edges and fields. Their presence indicates a healthy population of nectar-bearing flowers.

7. Western Pygmy-Blue Butterfly

At only 3/4 of an inch in wingspan, the western pygmy-blue butterfly is one of the smallest butterflies found in Washington. These tiny butterflies are metallic blue on their upper wings with black borders. They can be spotted in a variety of open habitats across eastern Washington like pine barrens, grasslands and sagebrush flats. Western pygmy-blue caterpillars eat lichens and fungi growing on the bark of ponderosa pines and Douglas firs. As adults, they feed on pollen and nectar from small white and purple wildflowers. Their miniature size helps the western pygmy-blue stay camouflaged and protected from the elements in sparse high desert environments. Despite humbling dimensions, pygmy-blues carry out important ecosystem functions through pollination and as food sources for birds and other insects.

8. Pine White Butterfly

Characterized by pure white wings with a wingspan of 1-1.5 inches, pine white butterflies are common sights around pine and fir forests. They lay their eggs singly on pine needles, where the emerging caterpillars eat new shoots and buds. Adults feed on tree sap and rotting fruits when available, but mostly get nutrients from dissolved minerals in wet soil or dung. This unique behavior and specialized diet allows pine whites to persist in areas without traditional nectar bearing flowers. They can often be seen basking and drying their wings on pathways, tree trunks and rock faces within pine groves. Despite their plain coloration, pine whites are an important early season pollinator and food source for birds in conifer forests. Their ability to extract nutrients from non-floral sources also fills an ecological niche.

9. Spring Azure Butterfly

With pale blue upper wings and dotted patterns, spring azure butterflies are a common small butterfly of the Pacific Northwest. Their average wingspan is only about 1 inch wide. In early spring these butterflies emerge to lay eggs on various legumes like clovers and vetches. The caterpillars feed on these low-growing plants through late spring. As adults, spring azures prefer to nectar on early season flowers such as waterleaf, dandelions and lupines. Their fluttering flight and pale colors are especially noticeable among the first wildflowers of the year. Despite diminutive size, spring azures play an important role as pollinators when few other insects are yet on the wing. Their emergence signals the return of warm temperatures and the growth of forage for other wildlife.

10. Echo Blue Butterfly

Uniquely marked with patches of sky blue set against black frameworks, echo blue butterflies are easy to identify in forests across Washington. Their wingspan averages about 1 inch. Echo blue caterpillars obligately feed on red huckleberry leaves and Vaccinium shrubs found in damp coastal woodlands. Adults often nectar on huckleberry flowers as well as salal and madrone blossoms. These butterflies help sustain huckleberry plant populations through pollination. Their striking wing colors complement the bright berries and flowers within shaded forests. Echo blues seem to mirror the blues and blacks of their wooded habitats. Despite small size, these butterflies play a specialized role in huckleberry-centered ecosystems across the wetter regions of Washington. Their muted yet contrasting appearance keeps echo blues hidden except when in flight.

11. California Tortoiseshell Butterfly

The California tortoiseshell butterfly has mottled orange, brown, and cream wings that aid in camouflage among leaf litter and tree trunks. Their average wingspan spreads about 2 inches wide. These butterflies prefer habitats with nettles growing, as California tortoiseshell caterpillars exclusively eat stinging nettle leaves. Throughout summer they can be spotted in forest clearings, meadows and parks around Seattle basking on tree bark or nectaring at flowers like thist Throughout summer they can be spotted in forest clearings, meadows and parks around Seattle basking on tree bark or nectaring at flowers like thistles, mallows and yarrows. Despite coloring that blends them into the background, California tortoiseshells provide important pollination for many wildflowers. As the caterpillars eat stinging nettles and adults imbibe nectar, they contribute to balanced natural systems. Tortoiseshell wings fold neatly together overhead when perching, appearing almost shield-like in shape. These camouflaged butterflies can seem rare until their intricate patterns catch the eye against white tree bark amongst dense vegetation.

12. Silver-Spotted Skipper

Silver-spotted skippers have brown wings with characteristic rows of cream and silver spots. Their wingspan averages about 1 inch wide. Throughout summer they can be seen zipping low over grass and flowering shrubs, often going unnoticed due to their speedy and erratic flight. These skippers preferentially lay eggs on clovers and vetches. As caterpillars they also eat dipsacus, thistles and strawberry leaves. Adults predominately feed on flower nectar, visiting sources like yarrow, buckwheat and composite blooms. Despite small size, silver-spotted skippers serve as important cross-pollinators for many prairie plants. Their darting aerial acrobatics through wildflower fields add motion and diversity to the landscape. Populations indicate healthy grasslands with varied forage available.

13. Grapevine Ephemeral

As its name suggests, the grapevine ephemeral is only active for a brief spring season in Washington. These small gray and white butterflies have a wingspan under 1 inch wide. They emerge quickly to lay eggs on wild grape leaves, where caterpillars feed exclusively. Adults then nectar heavily on early blooms like Pacific bleeding heart, violets and salmonsowers. This front-loaded lifecycle allows grapevines ephemerals to take advantage of burgeoning spring plant growth before facing increased predation and competition. Their mottled wings provide camouflage among dead leaves and tree bark when resting. Despite transient existence, these gray ghosts of spring play an important foundational role in pollination when few other insects are active.

14. Gray Hairstreak Butterfly

Adorned in shades of blues and blacks, gray hairstreak butterflies are woodland denizens with a wingspan averaging 3/4 to 1 inch. They can be found throughout forests in western Washington year-round. Gray hairstreak caterpillars feed exclusively on oak tree leaves like California black oak and canyon live oak. Adults often bask and sip tree sap on leaf surfaces high in oak crowns. Their dark coloration camouflages well among tree bark and foliage. Gray hairstreaks play a specialized role sustaining oaks through pollination and providing sap meals to butterflies distinctly adapted to arboreal life. Their presence indicates well-balanced forest ecosystems with a diversity of plant resources across different canopy layers.

15. Lorquin’s Admiral Butterfly

Featuring streaks of purple, red and charcoal, Lorquin’s admiral butterflies are handsome butterflies of Washington’s oak woodlands. With a wingspan up to 2 inches, they are larger skipper relatives. Lorquin’s admiral caterpillars eat oak leaves like California black oak and scrub oaks. Throughout summer adults can be seen nectaring on wildflowers near oak groves like California buckeye, sticky monkeyflower and balsamroot. Their striking colors and steady flight make these admirals handsome additions to oak ecosystems. By pollinating their larval host plants and other flowers, Lorquin’s admirals help sustain diverse oak-dominated habitats across eastern Washington and the Cascade foothills.

16. Woodland Skipper

The small woodland skipper has mottled brown wings speckled with cream and silver spots. With a wingspan only reaching 3/4 to 1 inch wide, these delicate butterflies inhabit mature forests across Washington. Their caterpillars eat a variety of low-growing legumes like bush clovers. Woodland skipper adults nectar on flowers growing in shaded understories like vanilla leaf, trilliums and saxifrages. Despite diminutive size, these skippers fulfill important roles cross-pollinating ephemerals adapted to forest floor light conditions. Their quick, erratic flight patterns contribute visual interest within tranquil woodland settings. Woodland skippers indicate the presence of simple yet biodiverse plant communities in old-growth forests and ravines.

17. Monarch Butterfly

Renowned for their migration across North America, monarch butterflies are an iconic orange and black sight in Washington from summer to fall. With wings spanning 3-4 inches, monarchs are large butterflies that draw attention. Caterpillars exclusively eat milkweed leaves, important larval food plants for these butterflies. Throughout their range, monarchs nectar heavily on a wide variety of fall blooms like asters, Salvias and goldenrods. As summer breeding populations decline in the state, the appearance of monarchs signals changing seasons and pending southward migration to California and Mexico for winter. Their bright pigments, strong flight and highly visible clustering make monarchs some of the most engaging butterflies for education and outreach.

18. Brown Elfin Butterfly

With their powdery brown wings tipped in darker fringe, brown elfin butterflies are small denizens of Pacific Northwest forests. The males have a wingspan only reaching 3/4 to 1 inch, while females are slightly larger. These butterflies can be found year-round in woodlands, where their nervous flight carries them between clumps of ferns and shrubs. Brown elfin caterpillars eat foliose lichens growing on tree bark. Adults sip tree sap and rotting fruits. Despite living alongside larger butterflies, brown elfins fill a lichenivore niche within complex forest food webs. Their delicate presence signifies the importance of less obvious resources within old-growth ecosystems.

19. Marine Blue Butterfly

Boasting brilliant sky blue wings edged in black, marine blue butterflies are unmistakable fliers of Washington coastlines. With wings around 1-1.5 inches wide, their size and hue makes them easy to spot among coastal grasses and dunes. As caterpillars they eat native silverweed plants found in salt-sprayed meadows. Adults frequently nectar on yellow flowered yarrows abundant near the ocean. Marine blues serve as essential pollinators for coastal faline habitats. Their eyecatching colors seem evolved to attract hummingbirds, helping sustain food webs in seaside plant communities. These beautiful butterflies exemplify unique adaptations enabling insects to thrive where few others can in a windswept oceanic environment.

20. Oregon Silverspot Butterfly

Considered an endangered subspecies, Oregon silverspot butterflies have silvery spots on orange wings reaching 1.5-2 inches wide. They inhabit coastal prairie pockets from Washington to California, where caterpillars eat only coast silverspot plants. Adults nectar on yarrow blooms within remnant dunes. Protection of the Oregon silverspot and its host plant from habitat loss is crucial to the subspecies’ continued existence. Their restricted diet and diminishing habitat range leaves this butterfly highly susceptible to local extirpation. Conservation of these silvery gems ensures biodiversity in coastal grasslands facing intense development pressures. The beauty and rarity of Oregon silverspots make connecting people to their plight all the more important.