Nymphalidae Archives - NatureWorks

Nymphalidae - Brush-Footed Butterflies

With around 6,000 species, this is the largest family of butterflies. Many species, like the monarch butterfly, are very colorful.

Butterflies in this family are called brush-foots because of their tiny forelegs. Their front two legs look more like brushes than feet and are not used for walking.

Many species in this family have some brown or orange on their wings and veins on their forewings.

Most species have long antennae with rounded clubs at the end. Most of the caterpillars in this family are colorful and covered with spines or hair.

Regal Fritillary
(Argynnis idalia)

The regal fritillary is found in Oklahoma, North Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, and Arkansas. It was once found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
Uncompahgre Fritillary
(Boloria acrocnema)

The Uncompahgre fritillary is found in Colorado. It is listed as an endangered species in the U.S. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
Arctic Fritillary
(Boloria chariclea)

The Arctic fritillary is found in Finland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
Common Wood-Nymph
(Cercyonis pegala)

The common wood-nymph is found across most of the U.S. It is also found in Canada. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Monarch Butterfly
(Danaus plexippus)

The monarch butterfly is found in North America from southern Canada south to South America and the Caribbean. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Common Buckeye
(Junonia coenia)

The common buckeye is found in most of the U.S. and parts of Canada. It is also found from Mexico to the Caribbean and Central America south to Colombia and Brazil. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
American Snout
(Libytheana carinenta)

The American snout is found in most of the U.S, including New Hampshire. It is also found in southern Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Viceroy
(Limenitis archippus)

The viceroy is found in most of the continental United States and in southern Canada and northern Mexico. The viceroy is found throughout New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Morning Cloak
(Nymphalis antiopa)

The mourning cloak is found throughout North America from Canada to southern South America. It is rare in the Gulf states and in Florida. It is also found in Europe and Asia. The mourning cloak is found throughout New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Melissa Arctic
(Oeneis melissa)

The Melissa Arctic is found Siberia and the North American Arctic from Alaska east to Baffin Island and Labrador. Isolated populations are found from the Rocky Mountains south to northern New Mexico and in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Question Mark
(Polygonia interrogationis)

The question mark is found east of the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. It is also found in Canada and Mexico. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Great Spangled Fritillary
(Speyeria cybele)

The Great Spangled Fritillary is found across much of the U.S. including in New Hampshire. It is also found in Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Red Admiral
(Vanessa atalanta)

The red admiral is found from northern Canada south to Guatemala. It is also found in Hawaii, the Caribbean, New Zealand, Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia. The red admiral is found throughout New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Painted Lady
(Vanessa cardui)

The painted lady is found on all continents, except for Australia and Antarctica. It is the most widespread species of butterfly in the world. In North America, it is found from sub-Arctic Canada south to Panama. The painted lady is found throughout New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
American Lady
(Vanessa virginiensis)

The American lady is found across most of the U.S. It is also found in Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern