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Butterflies in Idaho

The quickest way to know which butterflies live in Idaho is to see what people are actually finding. The map below shows recent, verified butterflies sightings across Idaho, and the list beneath it is the butterflies recorded most often there lately. Which species are flying changes through the season, so recent sightings tell you more than a range map. Warm, still, sunny days near flowers are best.

Recent research-grade sightings from the iNaturalist community, filtered to butterflies across Idaho.

Butterflies seen most often in Idaho

Ranked by recent research-grade observations. Tap any species Huck has catalogued for how to identify it, its habitat, and its safety notes.

California Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis californica
2,284 observations
Lorquin's Admiral
Limenitis lorquini
1,366 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
1,279 observations
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus
1,256 observations
Woodland Skipper
Ochlodes sylvanoides
1,157 observations · iNaturalist
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
1,088 observations
Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
1,042 observations
Common Wood-Nymph
Cercyonis pegala
916 observations
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
875 observations · iNaturalist
Pale Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon
786 observations
Satyr Comma
Polygonia satyrus
728 observations · iNaturalist
Field Crescent
Phyciodes pulchella
690 observations · iNaturalist
Milbert's Tortoiseshell
Aglais milberti
674 observations · iNaturalist
Mylitta Crescent
Phyciodes mylitta
668 observations · iNaturalist
Common Ringlet
Coenonympha california
667 observations
Green Comma
Polygonia faunus
645 observations
Boisduval's Blue
Icaricia icarioides
643 observations · iNaturalist
Two-tailed Swallowtail
Papilio multicaudata
633 observations · iNaturalist
Purplish Copper
Tharsalea helloides
611 observations · iNaturalist
Great Spangled Fritillary
Argynnis cybele
587 observations · iNaturalist

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and the ranking reflects where people record wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily common everywhere in Idaho. Treat this as a live snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

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More wildlife in Idaho

All wildlife in IdahoSnakes in IdahoFrogs in IdahoTurtles in IdahoLizards in IdahoSalamanders in IdahoOwls in IdahoSpiders in IdahoWildflowers in Idaho

Looking more widely? See butterflies near you anywhere in the country.

Common questions

What butterflies live in Idaho?

Commonly recorded butterflies in Idaho include California Tortoiseshell, Lorquin's Admiral, Small White, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Woodland Skipper, based on recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. The full list below is ranked by how often each has been seen lately.

When is the best time to see butterflies in Idaho?

Which species are flying changes through the season, so recent sightings tell you more than a range map. Recent verified sightings across Idaho are the most reliable guide to what is active right now.

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