Knowing which butterfly species visit your garden in Washington begins with recognizing subtle differences in wing patterns and flight behaviors. This Washington Butterflies Identification Guide will help you tell apart the most common species found from the Olympic Peninsula to the eastern plains. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned observer, these tips make identification straightforward and fun.
Washington state hosts over 140 butterfly species. Many are easy to spot if you know where to look and what details matter. This guide focuses on the most frequent visitors, their key markings, and the habitats where you are likely to find them.
Washington Butterflies Identification Guide
This section covers the essential features you need to examine. Wing shape, color patterns, and flight style are the three main clues. Start with the overall color, then look for spots, stripes, or borders.
Wing Shape And Size
Butterfly wings come in a few basic shapes. Swallowtails have tails on their hindwings. Skippers have stubby, triangular wings. Brush-footed butterflies have short, hairy front legs that look like tiny brushes.
- Swallowtails: Large, with pointed tails. Example: Western Tiger Swallowtail.
- Whites and Sulphurs: Medium-sized, rounded wings. Often white or yellow.
- Brush-footed: Medium to large, irregular wing edges. Example: Mourning Cloak.
- Skippers: Small, thick-bodied, fast fliers. Wings held at odd angles.
Color Patterns To Notice
Color is your first clue, but patterns are more reliable. Look for these specific markings:
- Eyespots: Round, dark circles with a light center. Common on Satyrs and some Brush-footed species.
- Borders: Dark or light bands along the wing edges. Check the forewing tip and hindwing margin.
- Stripes: Vertical or horizontal lines. The angle and color matter.
- Underside patterns: Many butterflies rest with wings closed. The underside often has different markings than the top.
Flight Behavior As A Clue
How a butterfly flies can narrow down the options fast. Watch for these styles:
- Fast and erratic: Skippers and some Hairstreaks.
- Slow and gliding: Monarchs and Viceroys.
- Bouncy or fluttering: Whites and Sulphurs.
- Direct and purposeful: Swallowtails, especially when patrolling.
Common Washington Butterflies By Region
Washington’s geography ranges from coastal rainforests to dry sagebrush deserts. Different butterflies live in different areas. Here is a breakdown by region.
Western Washington Lowlands
West of the Cascades, the climate is mild and wet. Gardens, parks, and forest edges are good spots. Look for these species:
- Western Tiger Swallowtail: Large, yellow with black stripes. Blue and orange spots near the tail. Flies May to September.
- Painted Lady: Orange-brown with black and white spots on the wing tips. Migrates through in spring and fall.
- Red Admiral: Dark brown with bright red-orange bands and white spots. Common in gardens and near nettles.
- Mourning Cloak: Dark brown wings with a creamy yellow border. Flies early spring and again in fall.
- Cabbage White: White with one or two black spots. Very common in gardens and fields. Actually an introduced species.
Cascade Mountains And East Slopes
Higher elevations have shorter seasons. Butterflies here are adapted to cooler temperatures and open meadows.
- Clodius Parnassian: White or cream wings with black and red spots. Flies near streams and in subalpine meadows.
- Lorquin’s Admiral: Black with white bands and orange wing tips. Found along forest edges and streams.
- California Tortoiseshell: Orange-brown with dark borders and blue marginal spots. Can be very numerous in some years.
- Common Alpine: Brown with orange patches and eyespots. Flies low to the ground in grassy areas.
Eastern Washington And Columbia Basin
East of the Cascades is drier and hotter. Butterflies here are often paler or have more contrast to blend with the landscape.
- Orange Sulphur: Bright yellow-orange with a dark border. Females may be white or yellow. Very common in alfalfa fields.
- Western White: White with dark wing tips and a greenish underside. Found in sagebrush and open areas.
- Great Basin Fritillary: Orange with black markings. Underside has silver spots. Flies in dry meadows and hillsides.
- Checkered White: White with black checkered markings on the upper side. Fast and low flying.
Step-By-Step Identification Process
Follow these steps when you see a butterfly you want to identify. Take your time and use a camera or phone for photos if possible.
Step 1: Observe From A Distance
Do not move suddenly. Watch the butterfly for a few seconds. Note its size, color, and flight pattern. Is it large like a swallowtail or small like a skipper? Does it fly straight or bounce?
Step 2: Note The Habitat
Where are you? A garden, a forest, a meadow, or a desert? Different species prefer different places. A butterfly in a wet forest is different from one in a dry sagebrush flat.
Step 3: Look At Wing Shape And Tails
Check if the hindwings have tails. Swallowtails always have them. Also note if the wings are rounded or angular. Skippers have hooked wing tips.
Step 4: Examine The Upper Wing Pattern
If the butterfly lands with wings open, look at the top side. Count the spots. Note the border color. Is there a pattern of stripes or bands? Write down what you see.
Step 5: Check The Underside
Many butterflies rest with wings closed. The underside pattern is often different and can be a key identifier. Look for eyespots, silver spots, or mottled patterns.
Step 6: Use A Field Guide Or App
Compare your notes to a good field guide. The Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest is a reliable book. Apps like iNaturalist or Butterflies of North America can help too.
Key Identification Features For Common Species
Here are the most important details for the butterflies you are likely to see. Use this as a quick reference.
Swallowtails
- Western Tiger Swallowtail: Yellow with black stripes. Blue and orange spots near the tail. Large, 3-4 inches.
- Pale Swallowtail: Creamy white with black stripes. Less yellow than the Tiger. Found in canyons and foothills.
- Anise Swallowtail: Black with yellow bands and a red spot near the tail. Smaller than Tiger. Common in gardens.
Whites And Sulphurs
- Cabbage White: White with one or two black spots. Underside is pale yellow-green. Very common.
- Orange Sulphur: Yellow-orange with dark border. Underside has two silver spots. Flies fast.
- Western White: White with dark wing tips. Underside has greenish veins. Found in dry areas.
Brush-Footed Butterflies
- Painted Lady: Orange-brown with black and white spots on forewing tips. Underside has four small eyespots.
- Red Admiral: Dark brown with red-orange bands and white spots near the wing tips. Flies in gardens.
- Mourning Cloak: Dark brown with a creamy yellow border and blue spots. Flies early spring.
- California Tortoiseshell: Orange-brown with dark border and blue marginal spots. Underside is mottled brown.
Skippers
- Woodland Skipper: Orange-brown with a dark border. Small, fast. Common in grassy areas.
- Juba Skipper: Brown with orange patches. White spots on the forewing. Found in dry areas.
- Common Checkered-Skipper: White and black checkered pattern. Very small. Flies low to the ground.
Best Times And Places To Watch Butterflies
Timing matters. Most butterflies are active from late spring to early fall. The peak months are June through August. Early morning and late afternoon are often best because butterflies are less active in the heat of midday.
Top Locations In Washington
- Washington Park Arboretum (Seattle): Many species in a small area. Good for beginners.
- Mount Rainier National Park: Subalpine meadows full of Parnassians and Fritillaries.
- Yakima River Canyon: Dry, open habitat with many Sulphurs and Whites.
- Olympic National Park: Coastal and forest species. Look for Lorquin’s Admiral.
- Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge: Eastern Washington wetlands. Good for Checkered Whites and Skippers.
What To Bring
- Binoculars with close focus (8x or 10x)
- Camera or phone for photos
- Field guide or app
- Notebook and pen
- Water and sun protection
Common Mistakes In Butterfly Identification
Even experienced observers make errors. Here are the most frequent ones and how to avoid them.
Confusing Similar Species
Monarch and Viceroy look alike. Viceroy has a black line across the hindwing. Monarch does not. Also, Painted Lady and Red Admiral can be confused. Check the forewing tip pattern.
Relying Only On Color
Color varies within species. Females may be different from males. Sunlight can change how colors look. Always check pattern and shape.
Ignoring The Underside
Many butterflies look similar from above but have distinct undersides. Always try to see the closed wings. This is especially true for Fritillaries and Satyrs.
Forgetting About Season
Some species only fly for a few weeks. Others have multiple broods. Check the flight season in your area. A butterfly seen in March is different from one seen in August.
How To Attract Butterflies To Your Garden
If you want to see more butterflies, plant the right flowers. Nectar plants feed adults. Host plants are where females lay eggs and caterpillars eat.
Nectar Plants For Adults
- Butterfly bush (Buddleja)
- Lavender
- Purple coneflower
- Milkweed
- Aster
- Goldenrod
- Zinnia
Host Plants For Caterpillars
- Milkweed for Monarchs
- Nettle for Red Admirals
- Willow and poplar for Mourning Cloaks
- Cherry and ash for Tiger Swallowtails
- Grasses for Skippers
Garden Tips
- Plant in sunny spots. Butterflies need warmth.
- Provide flat stones for basking.
- Keep a shallow water dish with wet sand.
- Avoid pesticides. They kill caterpillars and adults.
- Leave some wild areas. Nettles and thistles are important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about identifying butterflies in Washington.
What Is The Most Common Butterfly In Washington?
The Cabbage White is the most widespread. You will see it in almost any garden or field from spring to fall. It is white with one or two black spots on the forewings.
How Can I Tell A Western Tiger Swallowtail From A Pale Swallowtail?
Western Tiger Swallowtail is bright yellow with black stripes. Pale Swallowtail is creamy white with black stripes. The Tiger also has blue and orange spots near the tail, while the Pale has more orange.
Do Butterflies In Washington Migrate?
Yes. Painted Ladies and Monarchs migrate through the state. Painted Ladies move north in spring and south in fall. Monarchs are less common but can be seen in eastern Washington during migration.
What Is The Best Field Guide For Washington Butterflies?
“Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest” by Robert Michael Pyle is excellent. It covers all species in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The photographs and range maps are very helpful.
Why Do Some Butterflies Have Eyespots On Their Wings?
Eyespots are a defense mechanism. They scare away birds and other predators. The spots look like the eyes of a larger animal. Some butterflies also use them to draw attacks away from the body.
Resources For Further Learning
If you want to go deeper, there are many excellent resources. Local butterfly clubs offer field trips and workshops. Online databases have up-to-date information.
Books
- “Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest” by Robert Michael Pyle
- “Kaufman Field Guide to Butterflies of North America” by Jim Brock and Kenn Kaufman
- “A Swift Guide to Butterflies of North America” by Jeffrey Glassberg
Websites And Apps
- iNaturalist.org – Upload photos and get identifications from experts.
- ButterfliesandMoths.org – Species accounts and range maps.
- Washington Butterfly Association – Local events and news.
Local Groups
- Washington Butterfly Association (WBA) – Holds meetings and field trips.
- Seattle Audubon Society – Sometimes offers butterfly walks.
- Northwest Naturalists – Classes on butterfly identification.
Final Tips For Success
Start with the easy species. Learn the Cabbage White, Western Tiger Swallowtail, and Red Admiral first. Once you know them, move on to trickier groups like Fritillaries and Skippers. Take photos every time. Compare them to field guides later. Practice in your own garden. The more you look, the more you will see. Butterfly identification is a skill that improves with time. Be patient and enjoy the process.
Remember that Washington’s butterflies change with the seasons and the weather. Some years are better than others. A warm spring can bring early emergences. A dry summer may reduce numbers. Keep notes each year and you will start to see patterns. This Washington Butterflies Identification Guide is your starting point. Use it, share it, and keep exploring.