Nais Metalmarks are orange with black spots and symmetrical white spots on the front wing tip area. Photo: Bettina Arrigoniįormally known as Riodinidae family members, Metalmarks are known for their brilliant designs on their wings. More species of Hairstreaks and Elfins in Colorado are the Western Green Hairstreak, Juniper Hairstreak, White-lined Green Hairstreak, Thicket Hairstreak, Brown Elfin, Moss’ Elfin, Hoary Elfin, Behr’s Hairstreak, Coral Hairstreak, Striped Hairstreak, Banded Hairstreak, Hedgerow Hairstreak, and the Gray Hairstreak. Rather small, averaging less than 1 inch to a little over 1 inch long in wingspan and living in forests along streams, trails, and open areas, they fly during April and early July. The Western Pine Elfin is a reddish-brownish beauty that has jagged colorful stripes along their backs and black crescent shapes underneath. Their bottom sides are usually gray, and their tops feature blue or purplish hues with orange spots and fine white veins through their wings. Adults eat tree sap instead of flowers, and they are anywhere from 1.25-1.5 inches long in wingspan. The Colorado Hairstreak is the Colorado state insect and can be spotted from late June to August in the area’s foothills and canyons. Photo: Megan McCarty Colorado Hairstreak (Official State Insect) Hairstreaks and Elfins are a unique family known for the hair-like design on their hind wings. Other types of Swallowtail in Colorado: Black Swallowtail, Indra Swallowtail, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Pale Swallowtail, and Two-Tailed Swallowtail. Identified by their primarily black backgrounds with white or yellow rows of panels and a separate trail of spots along the edge of the wings, they can be found flying between March to August. Anise SwallowtailĪ large butterfly that averages 2.75-3.5 inches in size, the Anise Swallowtail lives in elevations ranging from 0 feet to 14,000 feet, in habitats like mountains, foothills, forests, and plains. Primarily black with a blue tint and orange spots on the hindwing, which is more evident in males than females, the average size is 2.75-5 inches. Photo: Greg Hume Pipevine SwallowtailĬommonly discovered from late summer to early fall, the Pipevine Swallowtail lives in environments like stream bottoms, open fields, woodlands, meadows, and foothills. This family has the biggest butterflies in the world. Swallowtails are brightly colored, large, and live on every continent except Antarctica. Roughly two inches long and having red or orange spots on the hindwing, the best time of year to find them is from the end of May to early September in forests, plains, or rocky terrains where Sedum plants are. The Rocky Mountain Parnassian is a medium-sized butterfly that features white or off-white wings with black and gray highlights on the forewings. They aren’t usually the most colorful, showing off white, gray, and sometimes yellow shades. Photo: Walter SiegmundĪlso referred to as an “apollo,” Parnassians (Parnassius) butterflies are most often found in North America, Europe, and Asia’s mountainous environments. Parnassians Family Rocky Mountain Parnassian. Home to an assortment of butterfly families and members here is a comprehensive list of the types and species you can find while venturing through the Centennial State, organized by group. When trekking through wildflower fields, forests, or by the streams in the spring to early fall, there are plenty of opportunities to see these winged beauties fluttering about. Insect enthusiasts and lepidopterists love the assortment of butterflies in Colorado.
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