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Butterflies in Wisconsin

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

Butterflies seen most often in Wisconsin

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
13,263 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
3,733 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
3,598 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
3,356 observations
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
3,256 observations
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
3,022 observations
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
2,995 observations
Great Spangled Fritillary
Argynnis cybele
2,370 observations · iNaturalist
Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
1,894 observations
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Everes comyntas
1,720 observations
Eastern Giant Swallowtail
Heraclides cresphontes
1,681 observations · iNaturalist
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
1,677 observations
Eastern Comma
Polygonia comma
1,664 observations
Viceroy
Limenitis archippus
1,631 observations
Karner Blue
Plebejus samuelis
1,456 observations · iNaturalist
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
1,429 observations
Common Wood-Nymph
Cercyonis pegala
1,283 observations
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
1,217 observations
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
1,194 observations · iNaturalist
Peck's Skipper
Polites peckius
1,159 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 Wisconsin. Treat this as a live snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

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More wildlife in Wisconsin

All wildlife in WisconsinSnakes in WisconsinFrogs in WisconsinTurtles in WisconsinLizards in WisconsinSalamanders in WisconsinOwls in WisconsinSpiders in WisconsinWildflowers in Wisconsin

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

Common questions

What butterflies live in Wisconsin?

Commonly recorded butterflies in Wisconsin include Monarch, Red-spotted Admiral, Red Admiral, Small White, 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 Wisconsin?

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

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