Spotting and Identifying Butterflies

Mostly dark orange butterfly with small black markings — Gulf fritillary butterfly, UF/IFAS

Butterfly sightings are beautiful to behold, but these observations can also help scientists identify which species are at risk, track population trends and study the impacts of environmental change. Photographing and recording butterflies and then sharing them with the wider community via citizen science apps can help us further understand the complexities of these delicate creatures.

These beneficial insects play an important role in ecosystems throughout the world as well as right here in Florida. Not only are butterflies important pollinators, but they also serve as food for other wildlife species, particularly in their larval caterpillar form. Our state has over 180 verified butterfly species and around 40 that are considered unique to the state or occur mostly within its boundaries. Unlike some other places, butterflies can be spotted in Florida any time of year, so it’s a prime location for observing.

Where Can Butterflies Be Observed?

A tawny butterfly with window-pane markings in shades of brown. Photo is dark; subject was not interested in being photographed. — Tawny emperor butterfly, UF/IFAS

Butterflies can be sighted in various environments as they travel in search of food or places to lay their eggs. Their intricate wings can be seen fluttering in clearings and along trails in forests where sunlight shines through. Areas with water, like creeks, streams and rivers, can host butterflies attracted to the moisture and abundant plants. Grasslands, meadows and roadside areas can house many flowering species that will draw in butterflies. Even urban parks and gardens will serve as a refuge for these pollinators. In general, areas with many native flowering plants will support a greater variety of butterfly species.

To attract adult butterflies to your own yard, aim for a variety of native plants that bloom at different times during the year to provide a constant source of food. It’s also crucial that the flowers have a “landing pad” for butterflies to perch on, which can be the center point of the flower or a cluster of flowers. To support the whole life cycle of butterflies, make sure to plant larval host plants as well. Each species of butterfly uses different larval host plants, so do your research on which butterflies frequent your area and which of their plant preferences you can successfully grow in your region. The tables in “Butterfly Gardening in Florida” on Ask IFAS can help guide you in the right direction.

A velvety black butterfly with blue at the bottom of its wings. — Pipevine swallowtail butterfly visiting native buttonbush, UF/IFAS.

It’s also helpful to use Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management (IPPM) to create pollinator-friendly landscapes with less pesticides. Additionally, you can provide these beneficial insects with different habitat types, like piles of leaves and logs, dense shrubs and tall grasses. You can read our Gardening for Butterflies article for more information on creating a butterfly haven.

When Can Butterflies Be Observed?

To increase your chances of spotting butterflies, make sure to research the seasonal and daily activity patterns of the butterflies in your area. This will influence when and where you might find them. Certain types can be seen in their adult form year-round (called their “flight period”), while others can only be seen for a few weeks of the year. Spring and summer have a higher diversity of butterflies due to the long days and abundant flowers, but thanks to Florida’s warm climate, certain species can be spotted during other months as well.

A small white butterfly with gray and tan markings and two dots on each wing. — White peacock butterfly

Late morning and early afternoon when the sun is shining is prime time for butterfly activity. These beneficial insects are solar-powered, as they require warmth from the sun to raise their body temperature and activate their flight. Keep in mind that this is a generality and some species might have different daytime patterns. To increase your chances of seeing a wide array of species, try researching their behaviors related to season and climate.

How You Can Record and Share Your Sightings

An excellent way to both share your sightings and accurately identify a butterfly (or any other organism) is to upload photos to iNaturalist. This citizen-science platform allows the public to participate in collecting observational data of plant and animal species throughout the world. It’s a collective project that allows participant to search for flora or fauna in a specific area, help identify other people’s sightings and add their own sightings to the mix. The platform is free and easy to use.

When approaching a butterfly for a photo, walk slowly and avoid sudden movements. These creatures can be quite skittish and fast, so be patient. It’s useful to take multiple photos at different angles, including close-up shots of wing patterns and any unique colorations or markings.

A small black butterfly with bright sky blue spots at the back of its wings and a bright red marking at the bottom of the wings where they touch the ground. — Atala butterfly

To record your observation, simply upload your photo into the iNaturalist app. Other people on the app can suggest IDs and there is even an auto-ID suggestion that can help narrow your search for the correct species name. Be aware that some butterfly species look very similar, so in those cases it may be difficult to ID with just a photo. Photos taken with smartphones work with large butterflies in certain lighting, but you will be able to get more detailed close-up shots with a DSLR camera with a macro or zoom lens.

In Florida, 181 butterfly species have been submitted to iNaturalist. The most commonly reported species include the Gulf fritillary, monarch, white peacock, zebra longwing, Horace’s duskywing, common buckeye, fiery skipper, long-tailed skipper, eastern giant swallowtail and Atala.

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census

Another citizen-science project is The Great Southeast Pollinator Census, where you can not only track and submit butterfly findings, but other pollinators as well. In its eighth year, the census is designed for people in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. You can participate this year from August 21 to 22. Learn more and sign up at the project’s website.

Next time you are out in the garden, try observing and documenting what you see flitting about among the flowers. Your contributions can aid researchers and conservationists in protecting the health of butterflies.