Butterflies and Moths
Butterflies and Moths
Butterflies are quite possibly the most-loved and most-collected of all the insects; their sister group, the moths, however have been mostly neglected and overlooked, even though the number of species is several times that of butterflies. Most people assume them to be drab and dull, and their only contact with moths is when they are seen fluttering around an outdoor light, or if one happens to fly inside, caught, and tossed outside without another thought. Most moths are night fliers and are rarely seen, and they remain mysterious to most people.
Butterflies and moths are included in the order Lepidopera, and are most readily recognized by the scales on the wings; in fact, the name of the order is derived from that: lepido, scale; ptero, wings. The body and legs are also covered with scales. Wing colour is derived from the scales, which are modified hairs of various shapes and structures, about a half a millimetre in length, flattened and forming a dense grouping on the wing surface. Each scale is a single colour, and collectively they impart a colour pattern on a wing. Scales are attached to the wing by a narrow stalk inserted in a socket on the wing surface. Although primarily responsible for colour, they also act as thermoregulators, providing an insulating effect which helps maintain body temperature, warming it when it is cold outside, and cooling it when it is too hot. Some specialized scales are involved in the chemical release of substances, such as sex-attractants.
Colour results from two kinds of categories: pigments and structure. Pigment colours result from the molecular structure of certain compounds inside the wall of the scale reflecting specific wavelengths, and are responsible for the majority of colours in butterflies, moths and other insects. Structural colours result from the physical structure of the surface material interacting with wavelengths of light to reflect wavelengths which we perceive as colour. Colours produced by this method are whites, blues, and iridescent colours; all other non-iridescent colours are produced by pigments.
As noted above, the adults of many butterflies are brightly coloured, beautiful, and much sought after by collectors. It is true that many moths are drab, but it is also true that many butterflies, particularly in the Hesperidae and Satyridae, are almost as dull as the drabbest moth, and many moths rival the most brilliantly coloured butterflies.
Lepidoptera have been conveniently divided into two groups, butterflies and moths, but this does not accurately reflect their relationship. Previously butterflies were believed to be most closely related to a group of moths that collectively with the butterflies make up a group called the “Macrolepidoptera”. More recent work, however, shows that butterflies are in fact a sister group of what are referred to as “Microlepidoptera”. As a group, the Lepidoptera are most closely related to the Trichoptera (caddisflies).
The Lepidoptera are of considerable economic importance. The larvae of many species are serious pests of cultivated plants, and a few feed on various fabrics. The mouthparts of adult butterflies and moths are usually made for sucking, although some have vestigial mouthparts and do not feed in the adult stage. Adults are pollinators of many plants and probably co-evolved with them.
Butterflies and moths undergo complete metamorphosis: egg, larva (“caterpillars”), pupa, and adult. The larvae of moths have well-developed silk glands, which many use to make cocoons or shelters. Some species make elaborate cocoons; others a very simple cocoon, and still other make no cocoon at all. Natural silk is the product of silkworm moths, the best-known is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity. Unlike moths, butterflies do not encase the pupa in cocoons made of silk; instead, they make a chitinous shell (“chrysalis”), which splits open when the pupa has transformed into an adult and is ready to emerge.
All butterflies have antennae with a club or swelling at the tip; nearly all are diurnal, flying by day, although a few are crepuscular, flying at dusk. Moths have antennae of a variety of shapes: filiform, slender and unbranched, tapering to a fine point; pectinate, finely branched, looking almost like a tiny feather; or clubbed. Most moths are nocturnal, flying by night, but some are crepuscular, and several are diurnal.
The exact number of Lepidoptera is unknown, simply because many moths remain to be discovered. But we do know that in North America north of Mexico over 2000 species of butterflies have been recorded, and over 11,000 species of moths are known. The sheer number of moths is one of the reasons this group has been overlooked. No field guide can adequately present that number of species. The group is just too challenging for most people to delve into! The recent publication of the Peterson Field Guide to Moths of North eastern North America by David Beadle and Seabrooke Leckie (2012) has made it possible to identify the more common species of our region, and I expect we will be seeing more checklists in the future.
World-wide over 160,00 species of Lepidoptera have been described, but some scientists believe the number could exceed 500,00. The number of known butterfly species in Canada is 293; in Ontario, 167 species of butterflies in five families have been observed; and in the Rainy River District, close to 100 species have been recorded. The number of moths is unknown, but to give an idea of their numbers more than 1000 species have been recorded in the Thickson Woods nature reserve, a 10-hectare site near Whitby, Ontario. But even this number is not extraordinary – David Beadle has identified more than 800 species in his 21-square metre downtown Toronto garden! (Ontario Nature Winter 2019).
Several of the butterfly species in the Rainy River District are not residents. They do not overwinter, migrating south, then north again during the warmer months. Among these are the Orange Sulphur, Little Yellow, Checkered White, Monarch, Variegated Fritillary, American Lady, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Question Mark, Common Buckeye, and Common Checkered Skipper. Their numbers often vary year to year; sometimes abundant, at other times, difficult to find. All others are residents, and all have different strategies for overwintering. Some overwinter in the egg stage, others in the larval or pupal stage, and still others as adults. The latter include Compton Tortoiseshell, Mourning Cloak, Milbert’s Tortoiseshell, all Polygonia spp. (except the Question Mark), and these are usually the first species seen as the days begin to warm in spring.
Two species of butterflies, the Cabbage White and European Skipper are not native. They were introduced in the late nineteenth century and have now spread across Canada, and are among the most abundant butterfly species.
Most of the work on the butterflies of the Rainy River District has been done by Dave Elder and Michael Dawber. Michael has also begun working on the moths of the district. To date, he has identified over 230 species. As can be imagined, considerably more work is needed on this difficult but interesting group.
Essential References
Beadle, D. and S. Leckie. 2012. Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. 611 p.
Hall, P.W., C.D. Jones, A. Guidotti, and B. Hubley. 2014. The ROM Field Guide to Butterflies of Ontario. Royal Ontario Museum. 488 p.
Layberry, L., P.W. Hall, and J.D. Lafontaine. 1998. The Butterflies of Canada. University of Toronto Press. 280 p.
Also Recommended
Bird, C.D., G.J. Hilchie, N.G. Kondla, E.M. Pike, and F.A.H. Sperling. 1995. Alberta Butterflies. The Provincial Museum of Alberta. 349 p.
Scott, J.A. 1986. The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide. Stanford University Press. 583 p.
Howe, W.H. ed. 1975. The Butterflies of North America. Doubleday & Company. 633 p.
Internet Resources
(click on the name)
Ontario Butterfly Index:
This is a mammoth database of all butterflies reported from Ontario, indexed by date, collector, and area (size as small as 10-square kms). This is an excellent way to begin studying butterflies where you live. Just click on the map square where you live and you will find a list of species that have been reported for that particular region. It is a good way to discover what areas need more observations. The Ontario Butterfly Atlas is a project of the Toronto Entomologists’ Association. Atlas data comes from eButterfly records, iNaturalist records, BAMONA records, and records submitted directly to the TEA. Instructions are provided to learn how to use the atlas and contribute to it.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA):
This is a superb site where you can see photos of most species, and even send photos of ones you are unable to identify, and they will be identified for you.
eButterfly:
A real-time, online checklist and photo storage program, e-Butterfly is another way for the butterfly community to report, organize and access information about butterflies in North America. Launched in 2011, e-Butterfly provides rich data sources for basic information on butterfly abundance, distribution, and phenology at a variety of spatial and temporal scales across North America
iNaturalist: Another site similar to eButterfly where all kinds nature sightings, not just butterflies and moths, may be reported.
Other Ontario sites:
Internet Resources
(click on the name)
Ontario Butterfly Index:
This is a mammoth database of all butterflies reported from Ontario, indexed by date, collector, and area (size as small as 10-square kms). This is an excellent way to begin studying butterflies where you live. Just click on the map square where you live and you will find a list of species that have been reported for that particular region. It is a good way to discover what areas need more observations. The Ontario Butterfly Atlas is a project of the Toronto Entomologists’ Association. Atlas data comes from eButterfly records, iNaturalist records, BAMONA records, and records submitted directly to the TEA. Instructions are provided to learn how to use the atlas and contribute to it.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA):
This is a superb site where you can see photos of most species, and even send photos of ones you are unable to identify, and they will be identified for you.
eButterfly:
A real-time, online checklist and photo storage program, e-Butterfly is another way for the butterfly community to report, organize and access information about butterflies in North America. Launched in 2011, e-Butterfly provides rich data sources for basic information on butterfly abundance, distribution, and phenology at a variety of spatial and temporal scales across North America
iNaturalist: Another site similar to eButterfly where all kinds nature sightings, not just butterflies and moths, may be reported.
Other Ontario sites:
Checklist of the Butterflies of the Rainy River District
(Checklist up to date as of 2020)
Abundance:
Common: Likely to be found in the right habitat and season.
Uncommon: May take more than one field trip to find.
Rare: May take diligent searching over several years.
Hypothetical: Not yet reported from the Rainy River District, but found in neighbouring areas.
The ordering of the species is that used by the Ontario Butterfly Atlas, which has assigned numbers to each species.
Scientific Name Common Name Abundance
HESPERIIDAE SKIPPERS
Pyrginae Pyrgine Skippers
Epargyreus clarus Silver-spotted Skipper R
Thorybes pylades Northern Cloudywing U
Erynnis icelus Dreamy Duskywing C
Erynnis brizo Sleepy Duskywing H
Erynnis juvenalis Juvenal’s Duskywing R
Erynnis lucilius Columbine Duskywing R
Erynnis persius Persius Duskywing H
Pyrgus centaureae Grizzled Skipper R
Pyrgus communis Common Checkered Skipper R
Heteropterinae Intermediate Skippers
Caterocephalus palaemon Arctic Skipper U
Hesperiinae Branded Skippers
Ancyloxypha numitor Least Skipper U
Oarisma garita Garita Skipperling H
Thymelicus lineola European Skipper C
Hesperia comma Common Branded Skipper R
Hesperia leonardus Leonard’s Skipper H
Hesperia sassacus Indian Skipper U
Polites peckius Peck’s Skipper C
Polites themistocles Tawny-edged Skipper C
Polites origines Crossline Skipper R
Polites mystic Long Dash Skipper C
Wallengrenia egeremet Northern Broken-dash R
Poanes hobomok Hobomok Skipper C
Poanes viator Broad-winged Skipper R
Euphyes dion Dion Skipper R
Euphyes vestris Dun Skipper C
Amblyscirtes hegon Pepper and Salt Skipper R
Amblyscirtes vialis Common Roadside Skipper U
PAPILIONIDAE Swallowtails
Papilio polyxenes Black Swallowtail R
Papilio machaon Old World Swallowtail H
Papilio canadensis Canadian Tiger Swallowtail C
PIERIDAE
Pierinae Whites & Marbles
Pontia protodice Checkered White R
Pontia occidentalis Western White R
Pieris oleracea Mustard White C
Pieris rapae Cabbage White C
Euchloe ausonides Large Marble R
Coliadinae Sulphurs
Colias philodice Clouded Sulphur C
Colias euryrheme Orange Sulphur U
Colias gigantea Giant Sulphur R
Colias interior Pink-edged Sulphur C
Colias palaeno Palaeno Sulphur H
Pyrisitia lisa Little Yellow H
Eurema nicippe Sleepy Orange R
Nathalis iole Dainty Sulphur H
LYCAENIDAE
Miletinae Harvesters
Feniseca tarquinius Harvester U
Lycaeninae Coppers
Lycaena phlaeas American Copper R
Lycaena dione Gray Copper R
Lycaena hyllus Bronze Copper U
Lycaena epixanthe Bog Copper R
Lycaena dorcas Dorcas Copper U
Lycaena helloides Purplish Copper U
Theclinae Hairstreaks
Satyrium acadica Acadian Hairstreak U
Satyrium titus Coral Hairstreak R
Satyrium calanus Banded Hairstreak R
Satyrium liparops Striped Hairstreak U
Callophrys augustinus Brown Elfin U
Callophrys polios Hoary Elfin R
Callophrys henrici Henry’s Elfin R
Callophrys niphon Eastern Pine Elfin R
Callophrys eryphon Western Pine Elfin R
Strymon melinus Grey Hairstreak R
Polyommatinae Blues
Cupido comyntas Eastern Tailed Blue U
Cupido amyntula Western Tailed Blue U
Celastrina lucia Northern Azure C
Celastrina neglecta Summer Azure R
Glaucopsyche lygdamus Silvery Blue C
Plebejus idas Northern Blue R
Plebejus melissa Melissa Blue H
Plebejus saepiolus Greenish Blue R
Agriades glandon Arctic Blue H
NYMPHALIDAE Brush-footed Butterflies
Argynninae Fritillaries
Euptoieta claudia Variegated Fritillary R
Speyeria cybele Great Spangled Fritillary C
Speyeria aphrodite Aphrodite Fritillary U
Speyeria atlantis Atlantis Fritillary C
Boloria eunomia Bog Fritillary R
Boloria selene Silver-bordered Fritillary C
Boloria bellona Meadow Fritillary C
Boloria frigga Frigga Fritillary R
Boloria freija Freija Fritillary R
Boloria chariclea Arctic Fritillary U
Melitaeinae Checkerspots & Crescents
Chlosyne gorgone Gorgone Checkerspot H
Chlosyne nycteis Silvery Checkerspot U
Chlosyne harrisii Harris’s Checkerspot R
Phyciodes cocyta Northern Crescent C
Phyciodes batesii Tawny Crescent R
Euphydryas phaeton Baltimore Checkerspot R
Nymphalinae Anglewings & Tortoiseshells
Polygonia interrogationis Question Mark R
Polygonia comma Eastern Comma U
Polygonia satyrus Satyr Comma R
Polygonia faunus Green Comma U
Polygonia gracilis Hoary Comma R
Polygonia progne Gray Comma U
Nymphalis l-album Compton Tortoiseshell U
Nymphalis antiopa Mourning Cloak C
Aglais milberti Milbert’s Tortoiseshell U
Vanessa virginiensis American Lady U
Vanessa cardui Painted Lady U
Vanessa atalanta Red Admiral C
Junonia coenia Common Buckeye R
Limenitidinae Admirals
Limenitis arthemis White Admiral C
Limenitis archippus Viceroy U
Limenitis weidemeyerii Wiedemeyer’s Admiral R
Satyrinae Satyrs & Woodnymphs
Lethe anthedon Northern Pearly-Eye U
Lethe eurydice Eyed Brown U
Lethe appalachia Appalachian Brown R
Megisto cymela Little Wood-Satyr U
Coenonympha tullia Common Ringlet U
Cercyonis pegala Common Wood-Nymph C
Erebia mancinus Taiga Alpine R
Erebia discoidalis Red-disked Alpine R
Oeneis macounii Macoun’s Arctic R
Oeneis chryxus Chryxus Arctic H
Oeneis jutta Jutta Arctic R
Danainae Milkweed Butterflies
Danaus plexippus Monarch U
Checklist of the Butterflies of the Rainy River District
(Checklist up to date as of 2020)
Abundance:
Common: Likely to be found in the right habitat and season.
Uncommon: May take more than one field trip to find.
Rare: May take diligent searching over several years.
Hypothetical: Not yet reported from the Rainy River District, but found in neighbouring areas.
The ordering of the species is that used by the Ontario Butterfly Atlas, which has assigned numbers to each species.
Scientific Name
Common Name Abundance
HESPERIIDAE SKIPPERS
Pyrginae Pyrgine Skippers
Epargyreus clarus
Silver-spotted Skipper R
Thorybes pylades
Northern Cloudywing U
Erynnis icelus
Dreamy Duskywing C
Erynnis brizo
Sleepy Duskywing H
Erynnis juvenalis
Juvenal’s Duskywing R
Erynnis lucilius
Columbine Duskywing R
Erynnis persius
Persius Duskywing H
Pyrgus centaureae
Grizzled Skipper R
Pyrgus communis
Common Checkered Skipper R
Heteropterinae Intermediate Skippers
Caterocephalus palaemon
Arctic Skipper U
Hesperiinae Branded Skippers
Ancyloxypha numitor
Least Skipper U
Oarisma garita
Garita Skipperling H
Thymelicus lineola
European Skipper C
Hesperia comma
Common Branded Skipper R
Hesperia leonardus
Leonard’s Skipper H
Hesperia sassacus
Indian Skipper U
Polites peckius
Peck’s Skipper C
Polites themistocles
Tawny-edged Skipper C
Polites origines
Crossline Skipper R
Polites mystic
Long Dash Skipper C
Wallengrenia egeremet
Northern Broken-dash R
Poanes hobomok
Hobomok Skipper C
Poanes viator
Broad-winged Skipper R
Euphyes dion
Dion Skipper R
Euphyes vestris
Dun Skipper C
Amblyscirtes hegon
Pepper and Salt Skipper R
Amblyscirtes vialis
Common Roadside Skipper U
PAPILIONIDAE Swallowtails
Attus philenor
Pipevine Swallowtail H
Papilio polyxenes
Black Swallowtail R
Papilio machaon
Old World Swallowtail H
Papilio canadensis
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail C
PIERIDAE
Pierinae Whites & Marbles
Pontia protodice
Checkered White R
Pontia occidentalis
Western White R
Pieris oleracea
Mustard White C
Pieris rapae
Cabbage White C
Euchloe ausonides
Large Marble R
Coliadinae Sulphurs
Colias philodice
Clouded Sulphur C
Colias euryrheme
Orange Sulphur U
Colias gigantea
Giant Sulphur R
Colias interior
Pink-edged Sulphur C
Colias palaeno
Palaeno Sulphur H
Pyrisitia lisa
Little Yellow H
Eurema nicippe
Sleepy Orange R
Nathalis iole
Dainty Sulphur H
LYCAENIDAE
Miletinae Harvesters
Feniseca tarquinius
Harvester U
Lycaeninae Coppers
Lycaena phlaeas
American Copper R
Lycaena dione
Gray Copper R
Lycaena hyllus
Bronze Copper U
Lycaena epixanthe
Bog Copper R
Lycaena dorcas
Dorcas Copper U
Lycaena helloides
Purplish Copper U
Theclinae Hairstreaks
Satyrium acadica
Acadian Hairstreak U
Satyrium titus
Coral Hairstreak R
Satyrium calanus
Banded Hairstreak R
Satyrium liparops
Striped Hairstreak U
Callophrys augustinus
Brown Elfin U
Callophrys polios
Hoary Elfin R
Callophrys henrici
Henry’s Elfin R
Callophrys niphon
Eastern Pine Elfin R
Callophrys eryphon
Western Pine Elfin R
Strymon melinus
Grey Hairstreak R
Polyommatinae Blues
Cupido comyntas
Eastern Tailed Blue U
Cupido amyntula
Western Tailed Blue U
Celastrina lucia
Northern Azure C
Celastrina neglecta
Summer Azure R
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
Silvery Blue C
Plebejus idas
Northern Blue R
Plebejus melissa
Melissa Blue H
Plebejus saepiolus
Greenish Blue R
Agriades glandon
Arctic Blue H
NYMPHALIDAE Brush-footed Butterflies
Argynninae Fritillaries
Euptoieta claudia
Variegated Fritillary R
Speyeria cybele
Great Spangled Fritillary C
Speyeria aphrodite
Aphrodite Fritillary U
Speyeria atlantis
Atlantis Fritillary C
Boloria eunomia
Bog Fritillary R
Boloria selene
Silver-bordered Fritillary C
Boloria bellona
Meadow Fritillary C
Boloria frigga
Frigga Fritillary R
Boloria freija
Freija Fritillary R
Boloria chariclea
Arctic Fritillary U
Melitaeinae Checkerspots & Crescents
Chlosyne gorgone
Gorgone Checkerspot H
Chlosyne nycteis
Silvery Checkerspot U
Chlosyne harrisii
Harris’s Checkerspot R
Phyciodes cocyta
Northern Crescent C
Phyciodes batesii
Tawny Crescent R
Euphydryas phaeton
Baltimore Checkerspot R
Nymphalinae Anglewings & Tortoiseshells
Polygonia interrogationis
Question Mark R
Polygonia comma
Eastern Comma U
Polygonia satyrus
Satyr Comma R
Polygonia faunus
Green Comma U
Polygonia gracilis
Hoary Comma R
Polygonia progne
Gray Comma U
Nymphalis l-album
Compton Tortoiseshell U
Nymphalis antiopa
Mourning Cloak C
Aglais milberti
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell U
Vanessa virginiensis
American Lady U
Vanessa cardui
Painted Lady U
Vanessa atalanta
Red Admiral C
Junonia coenia
Common Buckeye R
Limenitidinae Admirals
Limenitis arthemis
White Admiral C
Limenitis archippus
Viceroy U
Limenitis weidemeyerii
Wiedemeyer’s Admiral R
Satyrinae Satyrs & Woodnymphs
Lethe anthedon
Northern Pearly-Eye U
Lethe eurydice
Eyed Brown U
Lethe appalachia
Appalachian Brown R
Megisto cymela
Little Wood-Satyr U
Coenonympha tullia
Common Ringlet U
Cercyonis pegala
Common Wood-Nymph C
Erebia mancinus
Taiga Alpine R
Erebia discoidalis
Red-disked Alpine R
Oeneis macounii
Macoun’s Arctic R
Oeneis chryxus
Chryxus Arctic H
Oeneis jutta
Jutta Arctic R
Danainae Milkweed Butterflies
Danaus plexippus
Monarch U