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Butterflies in Texas

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

Butterflies seen most often in Texas

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
64,248 observations
Gulf Fritillary
Dione vanillae
59,972 observations · iNaturalist
Queen
Danaus gilippus
39,846 observations · iNaturalist
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
36,647 observations
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
35,334 observations
Gray Hairstreak
Strymon melinus
34,141 observations
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
29,323 observations · iNaturalist
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
28,603 observations
Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta claudia
26,996 observations
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
26,323 observations
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
20,757 observations
Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme
20,352 observations
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
20,326 observations · iNaturalist
Question Mark
Polygonia interrogationis
18,232 observations
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
17,615 observations
Phaon Crescent
Phyciodes phaon
17,588 observations · iNaturalist
Checkered White
Pontia protodice
16,341 observations · iNaturalist
Dainty Sulphur
Nathalis iole
15,577 observations
Huron Skipper
Atalopedes huron
15,528 observations · iNaturalist
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
15,016 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 Texas. Treat this as a live snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

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More wildlife in Texas

All wildlife in TexasSnakes in TexasFrogs in TexasTurtles in TexasLizards in TexasSalamanders in TexasOwls in TexasSpiders in TexasWildflowers in Texas

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

Common questions

What butterflies live in Texas?

Commonly recorded butterflies in Texas include Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Queen, Common Buckeye, Pipevine 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 Texas?

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

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