Butterflies in Minnesota
The quickest way to know which butterflies live in Minnesota is to see what people are actually finding. The map below shows recent, verified butterflies sightings across Minnesota, 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 Minnesota.
Butterflies seen most often in Minnesota
Ranked by recent research-grade observations. Tap any species Huck has catalogued for how to identify it, its habitat, and its safety notes.
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 Minnesota. Treat this as a live snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.
Found a butterfly in Minnesota?
Identify any butterfly from a photo in seconds, with its habitat, range and safety notes, and build your collection as you go.
Get HuckMore wildlife in Minnesota
Looking more widely? See butterflies near you anywhere in the country.
Common questions
What butterflies live in Minnesota?
Commonly recorded butterflies in Minnesota include Monarch, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Red-spotted Admiral, Red Admiral, Black Swallowtail, 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 Minnesota?
Which species are flying changes through the season, so recent sightings tell you more than a range map. Recent verified sightings across Minnesota are the most reliable guide to what is active right now.
Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.