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Butterflies in Missouri

The quickest way to know which butterflies live in Missouri is to see what people are actually finding. The map below shows recent, verified butterflies sightings across Missouri, 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 Missouri.

Butterflies seen most often in Missouri

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

Monarch
Danaus plexippus
12,809 observations
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
6,527 observations
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
6,094 observations
Great Spangled Fritillary
Argynnis cybele
5,429 observations · iNaturalist
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
5,062 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
4,835 observations
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
4,727 observations
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Everes comyntas
4,697 observations
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
4,619 observations
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
4,604 observations
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
4,385 observations
Huron Skipper
Atalopedes huron
3,556 observations · iNaturalist
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
3,165 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
3,095 observations
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
2,900 observations · iNaturalist
Zebra Swallowtail
Eurytides marcellus
2,857 observations
Question Mark
Polygonia interrogationis
2,344 observations
Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta claudia
2,239 observations
Gray Hairstreak
Strymon melinus
2,069 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
2,027 observations

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 Missouri. Treat this as a live snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

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More wildlife in Missouri

All wildlife in MissouriSnakes in MissouriFrogs in MissouriTurtles in MissouriLizards in MissouriSalamanders in MissouriOwls in MissouriSpiders in MissouriWildflowers in Missouri

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

Common questions

What butterflies live in Missouri?

Commonly recorded butterflies in Missouri include Monarch, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Common Buckeye, Great Spangled Fritillary, Silver-spotted 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 Missouri?

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

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