The Lower Rio Grande Valley of south Texas is rich with butterfly species that may not be found elsewhere in the country. Visit parks' websites for information before you explore. Remember that capture or collection is prohibited in parks and refuges. All wildlife photographs are taken by Beverly Pardue, all rights reserved.
This tropical beauty is the butterfly symbol of the city of McAllen. It has not been recorded further north than South Texas. It feeds on flower nectar and rests in shady spots. This Pixie was photographed at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
This unforgettable butterfly feeds on flower nectar and its larvae feed on guava leaves. The Valley is its only home area north of the Rio Grande. Its range extends southward through Mexico and Central America to Argentina. This individual was photographed on porterweed in a home garden in Hidalgo county.
The Malachite is the only large green butterfly in North America. It is found in rural wooded areas of the Rio Grande Valley, also in southern Florida, the West Indies, Mexico and Central America to Brazil. They feed on rotten fruit, such as this 'banana brew' at the National Butterfly Center in Mission. (The banana brew recipe is in a tab at the top of this LibGuide.) Malachites are not common; they are more likely to be seen in November-January, barring any freezing weather.
This butterfly typically lives south of us in Mexico and through Central America to Panama. It can wander to the Valley, even to Central Texas. This Banded Peacock was photographed in Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park in Mission.
White Peacocks are common butterflies found in Valley nature parks, home gardens and even on flowering plants near fast food drive-through lanes. These nectar feeders enjoy lantana, wedelia, porterweed and duranta blossoms. This individual was photographed at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
This graceful flyer is found in South Texas, through Mexico and Central America to Costa Rica. It sometimes strays north to South Dakota and Minnesota. It feeds on flower nectar. This Mestra was photographed on lantana in a residential garden in Hidalgo County.
The Mexican Bluewing lives in the tropical areas of Mexico through Central America and southward to Colombia. It periodically strays and lives in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. You can find it feeding on rotten fruit, banana brew and tree sap, such as from this Huisache tree. The banana brew recipe from the National Butterfly Center is in a tab at the top of this LibGuide. Photograph was taken at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
This long-winged orange butterfly is an eye catcher! Females have brown stripes to help you differentiate them from the males. They feed on flower nectar so look for them on lantana, crucita (blooms in the fall), mistflower (resembles crucita but blooms in spring), Mexican flame vine or duranta. In the US, we find them in South Texas, peninsular Florida, then their range goes southwards through Mexico and Central America to the West Indies and Brazil. This female Julia was photographed dining on crucita in a home garden in Hidalgo County.
Long orange wings identify this tropical beauty, the Julia. This male displays its solid orange wings with minimal markings. They feed on flower nectar, such as from this lantana, Mexican Flame Vine and crucita. Their United States range covers South Texas and peninsular Florida, then south through the West Indies, Mexico and Central America to Brazil. This male Julia was photographed at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
This fast moving butterfly is common in our nature parks and other wooded rural areas of the Valley. Sometimes it is found in the Austin and Houston areas, also in peninsular Florida. Beyond the US, its range includes Mexico, Central America, the West Indies and into South America. It is a nectar feeder, favoring flowers such as lantana (in this photo) and Mexican flame vine. This Zebra was photographed at the National Butterfly Center in Mission..
This butterfly typically lives in the region from Mexico south through Central America to Panama. It is sometimes resident in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. This Band-celled Sister was photographed at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, feeding on banana brew. Look for the banana brew recipe in a tab at the top of this LibGuide.
This small butterfly is found in the Southwestern US, especially near the border with Mexico and south to southern Mexico. Metalmarks are named for the shiny metallic scales within these butterflies' patterns. They are commonly found feeding on the nectar of small daisy-like flowers such as this Hispid Wedelia. Photograph was taken at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
This interestingly-shaped Metalmark is commonly found in Mexico and Guatemala but will sometimes appear in the Rio Grande Valley in October-November. It feeds on flower nectar. This specimen was photographed basking in the sun at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
These dark brown butterflies feed and rest with their wings fully open, showing interesting monochromatic patterns. Their US range includes northern California, parts of Arizona and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. South of us they are found in the mountains of Mexico, Central America and southward to Colombia. This individual was photographed on porterweed in an Hidalgo County home garden.
The Glazed Pellicia has an iridescent purple sheen, especially when it is freshly emerged. It is a rare visitor to the Valley. They are typically found from northern Mexico through Central America to Panama. This specimen was photographed on crucita blossoms at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
This butterfly with long tails and subtle markings is commonly found in the Valley but nowhere else in the US. Its more southerly range is Mexico through Central America to Argentina. This individual was photographed nectaring on lantana at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
This is a member of the nectar-feeding Skipper family. Lantana, duranta and porterweed are among their favorite flowers. When they've had a close call with a bird or other predator, the tails may be partially or completely broken or bitten off. This specimen was photographed on lantana at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
This longtail butterfly has a pattern of spots and checks in shades of buff and brown on its dark gray-brown wings. It feeds on nectar from lantana (such as in this photo), bougainvillea and other flowering plants. You can distinguish it from the similar-looking Longtailed Skipper by observing the body color. The Dorantes Longtail lacks the green iridescence of the Longtailed Skipper. As with other Longtails, some individuals may show broken or missing 'tails' because of birds and other predators trying to capture the butterfly. Dorantes Longtails are found in South Texas, the Florida Peninsula, through Mexico and central America to Argentina. This specimen was photographed at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas.
"Flasher" is an apt name for this butterfly with iridescent blue scales. It is found in the Rio Grande Valley and southward through Mexico and Central America to Argentina. It also strays to southeastern New Mexico. It feeds on flower nectar, such as from the crucita plant. This specimen was photographed at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
This small butterfly with classic Halloween colors flies year-round in the lower Rio Grande Valley. It is also found in the southwestern US, then through Mexico and central America to Argentina. Occasionally it will stray to the Midwestern US. It feeds on flower nectar, particularly on daisy-like flowers such as Wedelia, also lantana and crucita. The pattern and color distribution/bands may vary in individuals but will usually resemble the individual in this photo taken at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas.
In the US this butterfly is found in the Rio Grande Valley and occasionally north to Central Texas and northeastern New Mexico. Otherwise, its range extends through Mexico and Central America, then south to Colombia. It feeds on flower nectar. This Crimson Patch was photographed on anacua blossoms at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
This individual is a male, showing the purple color that is visible when the sun's rays hit the wing's scales just right. The female of this species has an interesting brown and white banded pattern that resembles that of various Sister butterflies. It is an occasional stray to the Rio Grande Valley from its home range of northern Mexico to Bolivia. It feeds on rotten fruit, including banana brew. Look for the banana brew recipe in the tab at the top of this LibGuide. This Pavon Emperor was photographed at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
The Leafwing butterflies feed and rest with wings closed, resembling a dry dead leaf. The interior wings are a warm orange color seen only when this butterfly is in flight. They are common in the Rio Grande Valley and sometimes wander to California, Arizona and even to Kansas. Their usual range is Mexico southward to Costa Rica. They feed on tree sap, rotten fruit, banana brew (recipe is in the tab at the top of this LibGuide) and dung. This individual was feeding on banana brew on a bait log at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
The Monarch butterfly, the most recognizable butterfly in our country, migrates through the Rio Grande Valley. They are common, in that they are found throughout North America, Central and most of South America. But they are not ordinary. Bigger and bolder in pattern than other local milkweed butterflies, such as the Queen and Soldier, they will catch your eye. Here is one taking nectar from crucita, a native plant of deep South Texas, in a Hidalgo County home garden during fall migration. They also feed from lantana, duranta, esperanza, zinnias and other flowers.
The Queen butterfly resembles the well-known Monarch but is a different species found in the extreme southern United States, through the tropical lowlands of Central America to Argentina, and in the West Indies. Occasionally they will stray to other parts of the southern US and Great Plains. They are very common in the Rio Grande Valley and are found nectaring on flowers such as lantana, mistflower, crucita and white plumbago. Compare it to the Soldier, a 'cousin' which also uses tropical milkweed as its host plant. Photo taken in a residential garden in Hidalgo County.
The Soldier is related to the Queen and Monarch butterflies. They share similar colors and pattern which help deter predators, such as birds. The orange and black pattern signals that these butterflies bodies' contain naturally emetic and toxic chemicals which are released to the predator when the butterfly is eaten. One way to tell the Soldier from the Queen is to look at the underside of the wings. Notice that the Soldier has less distinct markings that look almost smudged or blurry, almost like a watermark. The Queen has more distinctly marked veins on its underside. Soldiers are found in the Rio Grande Valley and southward through Mexico and Central America and the West Indies to Brazil. This Soldier was nectaring on buttonbush blossoms near the Rio Grande river in Mission, Texas.
This boldly colored orange butterfly with black markings is common throughout the southern United States and the Caribbean, plus Central and South America. The silvery spots on the underside of its forewings glitter in the sun. It feeds on flower nectar, especially from lantana, crucita and daisy-type flowers. It uses several varieties of passionvine as its host plant. This Gulf Fritillary was photographed on lantana in a Hidalgo County residential garden.
The Variegated Fritillary is a sharply patterned butterfly of North and South America. They can be found in gardens, disturbed areas, pastures and along roadsides. This individual was feeding on the South Texas native plant Crucita which blooms from fall-spring. Many other nectar feeding butterflies are drawn to this woody shrub with fragrant blossoms. This Variegated Fritillary was photographed in a local home garden, Hidalgo County.
This terra cotta-colored butterfly feeds on lantana and other flower nectars. Its usual range includes Mexico, Central America and the West Indies. In the US, it strays to the Rio Grande Valley and northward to central Texas, also to southern California and central Arizona. This specimen was photographed in a home garden in Hidalgo county.
This female Checkered White shows the pattern that gives this species its common name. These butterflies are permanent residents of the southern United States and northern Mexico. Their host plants include those of the mustard family. They feed on nectar, such as from this crucita at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
The Pale-banded Crescent is a small, uncommon butterfly of the Rio Grande Valley. You may see it feeding on the nectar of frogfruit and other small flowers. It also ranges through Mexico, Central America and southward to Argentina. This individual was photographed at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
The Phaon Crescent is a small orange, black, brown and cream-colored butterfly with a patchy pattern. They feed on flower nectar, including that of frogfruit, a native plant which is also host to its eggs. Phaon Crescents are found in the warmest parts of the US, including south Texas, southern California and Florida, then along the Atlantic coast from Florida to South Carolina. Their range extends further south through Mexico and Guatemala, and to Cuba. This Phaon was photographed at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas.
The Texan Crescent is actually a small delicate butterfly, not big and bold as many Texan things are. It is also found in the southern tier of the United States, through Mexico and Guatemala. Like other Crescent butterflies, it feeds on the nectar of small flowers, including this daisy-like Wedelia flower. This individual was photographed at the National Butterfly Center in Mission.
Very small but intricately marked, the Vesta Crescent is an attractive butterfly that feeds on flower nectar. They can be found in central and south Texas, through Mexico and Guatemala. Occasionally they will stray to Arkansas, Colorado and even Nebraska. Look for this "graphic" crescent on small daisy-like flowers. This Vesta Crescent was found at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas.
This striking butterfly with the big eyespots on its hindwings is common throughout the southern United States, then south to Cuba, Bermuda and southern Mexico. It migrates from north to south when the season changes to autumn, then they repopulate the central and southern United States in the spring and summer.
Buckeyes feed on flower nectar, in particular from daisy-like flowers, lantana and porterweed. This individual is feeding on the nectar of Bidens, a native plant which attracts several species of butterflies. Photograph was taken at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas.
The Red Admiral is found in many areas of the United States and Canada, through Mexico and Guatemala. It is also resident in parts of Europe, Asia and North Africa. It has a rapid, erratic flight. If you are walking down a trail where these butterflies live, the males may dart out at you, to warn you away from their territory. They are not able to survive in areas of cold winters; those areas are re-colonized in the spring. Red Admirals are found in the lower RIo Grande Valley year-round. They feed on well-ripened fruit, banana brew (see the tab at the top of this LibGuide) and flower nectar. They can be photographed most easily when they are basking in the sun on a cool day. This individual was photographed at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas, enjoying the late afternoon sun in winter.
This butterfly's common name refers to the marking on its outer hindwing, a combination of a comma and dot that resemble a question mark. This individual is feeding on rotting fruit. They are also attracted to tree stumps and other surfaces 'painted' with banana brew. Look for the banana brew recipe in a tab at the top of this LibGuide. The colors of the open wings will vary a bit according to the season. In winter, the outer edge of the wings and tail are a light violet color; in summer, those areas are black. This individual was photographed in winter at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas.
At first glance, this small brown and tan butterfly perching with closed wings may not seem very special. But watch as the butterfly moves about, feeding on a flower's nectar. When the sunshine hits it at just the right angle, the purple sheen will cause you to notice. These grass skippers are found in the lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, through Mexico and tropical central America to Argentina. It is rarely seen in central Texas and southeast Arizona. It's a nectar feeder, favoring such flowers as this crucita at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas.
It's easy to see how this butterfly got its common name. Its elongated labial palps look like a large nose or snout. These brown butterflies are typically seen in this closed wing position but when the wings are open, you will see an attractive pattern of deep orange and white spots and blotches. When the Valley has its early cold fronts around October you may see large numbers of Snouts over streets and highways, as well as in home gardens. The group of them may look like a cloud of butterflies! Snouts are typically found in the southern US, through Mexico, Central America, the West Indies and down to Argentina. They also migrate to California and much of the Eastern US. This Snout was enjoying the shade on a hot summer day in a Hidalgo County home garden.
Tawny Emperors are one of the most common butterflies you will likely see year-round when you go to one of our local nature centers or state parks. They are found in the Central Plains and south to Texas, and through the southeastern US and even to New England. Like the similar Hackberry Emperor and Empress Leilia, they rely on hackberry trees as their host plant. They typically feed on banana brew (recipe is in in a tab at the top of this subject guide) and other well-ripened fruit. Sometimes you may see them feeding on flower nectar, such as from lantana bushes. This Tawny Emperor was photographed on a hackberry tree trunk at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas.
These small black butterflies with white spots feed on small native flowers, such as on these frogfruit blossoms. If you look closely, you will see a pretty rainbow-colored iridescence near the wing tips. Common Sootywings are found in the central US and southward to central Mexico. This Common Sootywing was photographed at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas.
Giant Swallowtails are perhaps the largest butterfly species in North America with a wingspan of up to 6 inches. They are found throughout the country and are numerous in the Valley. When their wings are closed, the yellow color is dominant, along with black. When their wings are open, they are mostly black with intersecting rows of yellow spots that look almost like the letter T. This Giant Swallowtail was photographed in a residential garden in Hidalgo County, feeding on duranta nectar.
Black Swallowtails are found through most of the US, Canada and south through Mexico, Central America and to northern South America. They feed on flower nectar, including garden flowers such as the zinnia in this photo. They use fennel, dill and parsley as their hostplants so if you grow these herbs, check them for striped caterpillars in the warm months here. This Black Swallowtail was photographed in the zinnia patch at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas.
This butterfly is often thought of as a perpetual motion machine, as it makes its rounds feeding on flower nectar. It is the only swallowtail without 'tails' on its hindwings. It's a Valley specialty, with its North American range usually limited to south Texas and peninsular Florida. South of us, they are resident in Mexico, Central America and south to Argentina. Look for them flying rapidly among flowers such as lantana, duranta and some of the tubular flowers. They use pipevines, including the Dutchman's pipevine (Aristolochia tomentosa) as a hostplant. This Polydamas Swallowtail was photographed on lantana in a home garden in Hidalgo County.
Pipevine Swallowtails are rapid flyers that show an iridescent blue flash when sunshine hits the outer surface of their dark wings. You may see them in home gardens, nature parks, woody areas and anywhere else where Pipevines (Aristolochia spp.) are found. It will use Pipevine plants like the Polydamas Swallowtail does, for laying eggs which develop into a new generation of butterflies.
These large black and shiny blue butterflies feed on nectar, such as from duranta, lantana and native crotons. If you see a flashy blue butterfly in your yard or as you hike a nature trail, it may be a male scouting out for females in its territory.
Pipevine Swallowtails are common in the southern, eastern and southwestern regions of the U.S. They are also found in the tropical lowlands of central and southern Mexico. This male Pipevine Swallowtail was photographed in a local home garden.