Most Common Butterflies In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s mix of forests, farmlands, and urban parks creates ideal conditions for many butterfly species. If you are looking for the most common butterflies in pennsylvania, you have come to the right place. This guide will help you identify the butterflies you are most likely to see in your backyard or on a local trail. We will cover their looks, where they live, and what plants they like.

Butterflies are a joy to watch. They add color and life to any outdoor space. Knowing which ones are common can make your time outside more fun. You might even start a list of species you spot this year.

Let us start with the basics. Pennsylvania has over 140 species of butterflies. But only a handful are seen regularly. These common ones are easy to find from spring to fall. They are also the ones most likely to visit your garden.

This section lists the top butterflies you will see. Each entry includes key facts and tips for spotting them. Use this as a quick reference when you are outside.

Monarch Butterfly

The Monarch is famous for its orange and black wings. It is one of the most recognizable butterflies in the state. You can see them from late spring through early fall.

Wingspan: 3.5 to 4 inches
Host plant: Milkweed
Favorite nectar: Butterfly bush, goldenrod, asters
Migration: They travel to Mexico each fall

Monarchs are large and slow flyers. They are easy to watch as they glide from flower to flower. If you plant milkweed, you will likely see their caterpillars too.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

This is a large, yellow butterfly with black stripes. It is very common in Pennsylvania woodlands and gardens. The females can be yellow or a dark form that looks almost black.

Wingspan: 3.5 to 5.5 inches
Host plants: Wild cherry, tulip poplar, ash
Favorite nectar: Lilac, phlox, milkweed
Flight period: April to October

You will often see them near puddles or damp soil. They gather in groups to drink minerals. This behavior is called “puddling.”

Cabbage White

This small white butterfly is everywhere. It is often the first butterfly you see in spring. It is not native but has become very common.

Wingspan: 1.5 to 2 inches
Host plants: Cabbage, broccoli, kale, mustard
Favorite nectar: Dandelion, clover, asters
Flight period: March to November

Cabbage Whites are plain but important. Their caterpillars can be pests in vegetable gardens. But the adults are harmless and fun to watch.

Pearl Crescent

This is a small orange and brown butterfly. It is one of the most common butterflies in fields and meadows. You might see dozens of them on a single walk.

Wingspan: 1 to 1.5 inches
Host plants: Asters
Favorite nectar: Asters, goldenrod, daisies
Flight period: April to October

Pearl Crescents are fast and low-flying. They often land on the ground or on low plants. Look for them in sunny, open areas.

Red Admiral

This butterfly has dark wings with bright red bands. It is a common visitor to gardens and parks. They are known for being curious and sometimes landing on people.

Wingspan: 1.75 to 2.5 inches
Host plants: Nettles
Favorite nectar: Rotting fruit, butterfly bush, milkweed
Flight period: April to October

Red Admirals are strong flyers. They often perch on high spots like tree branches. They also like to sip from overripe fruit.

American Lady

This butterfly looks similar to the Painted Lady. It has orange and brown patterns with white spots. It is common in open fields and roadsides.

Wingspan: 1.75 to 2.5 inches
Host plants: Pearly everlasting, pussytoes
Favorite nectar: Thistle, clover, asters
Flight period: April to October

American Ladies are fast and erratic flyers. They often sit with their wings closed. Look for the two large eyespots on the underside of the hindwing.

Great Spangled Fritillary

This is a large orange butterfly with silver spots on the underside. It is common in meadows and open woods. It is one of the biggest fritillaries in the state.

Wingspan: 2.5 to 3.5 inches
Host plants: Violets
Favorite nectar: Milkweed, thistle, coneflower
Flight period: June to September

These butterflies are strong and steady flyers. They love sunny fields with lots of flowers. You can often see them in mid-summer.

Question Mark

This butterfly has ragged wing edges and a silver comma mark. It is named for the small white mark on the underside. It is common in wooded areas and near streams.

Wingspan: 2 to 2.5 inches
Host plants: Nettles, elm, hackberry
Favorite nectar: Rotting fruit, tree sap, dung
Flight period: March to October

Question Marks are often seen in late summer. They prefer rotting fruit over flowers. You can attract them with a dish of overripe bananas.

Eastern Comma

This butterfly looks a lot like the Question Mark. It has a similar silver mark on the underside. But the comma is more solid and less curved.

Wingspan: 1.75 to 2.25 inches
Host plants: Nettles, hops, elm
Favorite nectar: Rotting fruit, tree sap
Flight period: March to October

Eastern Commas are common in gardens and forests. They are one of the first butterflies to appear in spring. They hibernate as adults over winter.

Silver-spotted Skipper

This is a large skipper with a white spot on the underside. It is very common in gardens and fields. Skippers are a group of butterflies that look like moths.

Wingspan: 1.5 to 2 inches
Host plants: Legumes like beans and clover
Favorite nectar: Thistle, milkweed, coneflower
Flight period: May to September

Silver-spotted Skippers are fast and darting. They often perch with wings half open. They are easy to spot because of the bright white patch.

Clouded Sulphur

This is a medium-sized yellow butterfly. It is common in fields and along roads. It often flies with other yellow butterflies.

Wingspan: 1.5 to 2.5 inches
Host plants: Clover, alfalfa
Favorite nectar: Clover, dandelion, asters
Flight period: April to October

Clouded Sulphurs are strong flyers. They are often seen in large numbers. They can be hard to tell apart from other yellow butterflies.

Orange Sulphur

This butterfly is very similar to the Clouded Sulphur. But it has more orange on the wings. It is just as common in open areas.

Wingspan: 1.5 to 2.5 inches
Host plants: Clover, alfalfa
Favorite nectar: Clover, dandelion, goldenrod
Flight period: April to October

Orange Sulphurs are often seen in groups. They fly low over fields. They are a common sight in summer.

Spicebush Swallowtail

This is a large black butterfly with blue and green spots. It is common in wooded areas and gardens. It is named after its host plant, spicebush.

Wingspan: 3.5 to 4.5 inches
Host plants: Spicebush, sassafras
Favorite nectar: Milkweed, phlox, honeysuckle
Flight period: April to September

Spicebush Swallowtails are graceful flyers. They often flutter around shrubs. The caterpillars are green with fake eyespots to scare predators.

Black Swallowtail

This butterfly is black with yellow spots and a red spot near the tail. It is common in gardens and fields. It is often confused with the Spicebush Swallowtail.

Wingspan: 3 to 4 inches
Host plants: Dill, fennel, parsley, carrot
Favorite nectar: Milkweed, phlox, coneflower
Flight period: April to October

Black Swallowtails are common in herb gardens. Their caterpillars eat dill and parsley. You can easily raise them at home.

How To Attract These Butterflies

You can bring these butterflies to your yard. It is not hard to do. You just need the right plants and conditions.

Plant Host Plants

Host plants are where butterflies lay eggs. Caterpillars eat these plants. Without them, you will not have butterflies.

Milkweed for Monarchs
Dill and parsley for Black Swallowtails
Violets for Great Spangled Fritillaries
Asters for Pearl Crescents
Nettles for Red Admirals and Commas

Provide Nectar Plants

Adult butterflies need nectar for energy. Plant a variety of flowers that bloom from spring to fall.

Spring: Lilac, dandelion, wild cherry
Summer: Butterfly bush, milkweed, coneflower
Fall: Goldenrod, asters, sedum

Add Water And Mud

Butterflies need water and minerals. A shallow dish with wet sand works well. You can also leave a puddle area in your garden.

Provide Sun And Shelter

Butterflies are cold-blooded. They need sun to warm up. Place flat stones in sunny spots for them to bask on. Also, leave some brush piles for shelter.

Avoid Pesticides

Pesticides kill butterflies and caterpillars. Use natural methods for pest control. Let some weeds grow for food and habitat.

Best Places To See Butterflies In Pennsylvania

You do not need to go far to see butterflies. But some places are better than others. Here are top spots across the state.

State Parks And Forests

Many state parks have meadows and trails. These are great for butterfly watching.

Rickets Glen State Park
Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Cook Forest State Park
Ohiopyle State Park

Nature Centers And Gardens

These places often have butterfly gardens. They are designed to attract many species.

Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square
Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh
Butterfly Pavilion at Hershey Gardens
Peace Valley Nature Center in Doylestown

Meadows And Fields

Any large open field with wildflowers will have butterflies. Look for areas that are not mowed often.

Power line cuts
Abandoned farm fields
Roadside meadows
Rail trails

Butterfly Identification Tips

Identifying butterflies can be tricky. Here are some simple tips to help you.

Look At Wing Shape And Color

Notice the overall shape. Swallowtails have tails. Skippers have thick bodies. Color patterns are the best clue.

Watch Flight Pattern

Some butterflies fly straight. Others dart or glide. Monarchs fly slow and steady. Skippers are fast and erratic.

Check The Underside

Many butterflies look different on the underside. This is often the best way to tell them apart. Look for spots, lines, or silver marks.

Note The Time Of Year

Some butterflies only fly at certain times. Monarchs are common in late summer. Commas appear early in spring.

Use A Field Guide Or App

A good guide helps a lot. Apps like iNaturalist can identify butterflies from photos. Take a picture and get an instant answer.

Seasonal Butterfly Calendar

Different butterflies appear at different times. Here is a rough guide by season.

Spring (March To May)

Early butterflies come out as soon as it warms up.

Eastern Comma
Question Mark
Cabbage White
Mourning Cloak

Summer (June To August)

This is peak butterfly season. Most species are active.

Monarch
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Great Spangled Fritillary
Pearl Crescent
Silver-spotted Skipper

Fall (September To November)

Some butterflies are still around. Others migrate or prepare for winter.

Monarch (migrating)
Clouded Sulphur
Orange Sulphur
Red Admiral

Common Look-Alikes

Some butterflies look very similar. Here is how to tell them apart.

Monarch Vs. Viceroy

Viceroys are smaller and have a black line across the hindwing. Monarchs are larger and lack that line.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Vs. Spicebush Swallowtail

Tiger Swallowtails are yellow with black stripes. Spicebush Swallowtails are black with blue and green spots.

Clouded Sulphur Vs. Orange Sulphur

Clouded Sulphurs are mostly yellow. Orange Sulphurs have more orange on the wings.

Pearl Crescent Vs. Silvery Checkerspot

Pearl Crescents have a single silver spot on the underside. Silvery Checkerspots have many silver spots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Most Common Butterfly In Pennsylvania?

The Cabbage White is likely the most common butterfly in Pennsylvania. You see them almost everywhere from spring to fall. They are small, white, and very adaptable.

When Is The Best Time To See Butterflies In Pennsylvania?

Summer is the best time, from June to August. Many species are active then. But you can see some butterflies from March through November.

What Plants Attract The Most Butterflies In Pennsylvania?

Milkweed, butterfly bush, coneflower, asters, and goldenrod are top choices. Also plant host plants like dill, parsley, and violets.

Are There Any Rare Butterflies In Pennsylvania?

Yes, some are rare. The Regal Fritillary and the West Virginia White are less common. But the species listed here are all common and easy to find.

How Can I Tell A Butterfly From A Moth?

Butterflies are active during the day. They have thin bodies and club-tipped antennae. Moths are usually active at night. They have thick bodies and feathery antennae.

Final Tips For Butterfly Watching

Butterfly watching is a relaxing hobby. You can do it anywhere. Here are a few last tips to make it easier.

Go out on warm, sunny days. Butterflies are most active when it is above 60 degrees. Early morning and late afternoon are good times.

Wear neutral colors. Bright clothes can scare them away. Move slowly and quietly. Do not chase them.