Common Butterflies Western WA

Commonly seen butterflies in Western WA by the North Ameican Butterfly Association, Inc. Names marked with * indicate a species most likely to be seen by home gardeners. Flight Period is time of year seen, i.e. Sp-Spring, S-summer, F-fall. Food Plants are needed by young caterpillars to eat prior to becoming a mature butterfly.

To attract and maintain butterflies on a regular basis, both food and nectar plants need to be present.

name   flight   caterpillar food

Anise Swallowtail    Sp-S    Fennel, Dill, Angelica

*Western Tiger Swallowtail    Sp-S    Maple, Willow, Alder, Cherry, Sycamore

Pale Swallowtail    Sp-S    Ceanothus
 
Pine White    S-F    Pine, Douglas Fir, True Fir, Deodar Cedar
 
*Cabbage White    Sp-F    Mustards, Nasturtium, Dandelion, Aster, Mint
 
*Purplish Copper    S-F    Docks, Sorrels, Knotweeds
 
Brown Eln    Sp-S    Madrona, Azalea, Salal, Huckleberry

Juniper Hairstreak    Sp-S    Incense Cedar, Western Red Cedar, Cypress, Juniper

*Spring Azure    Sp-S    Dogwood, Salal, Madrona, Huckleberry

*Mylitta Crescent    SP-F    Native Thistle, Milk Thistle, Cardoon

 Satyr Comma    Sp-F    Nettles

*Mourning Cloak    Sp-F    Willow, Cottonwood, Poplar, Elm

Milbert's Tortoiseshell    Sp-F    Nettles 

*Painted Lady   Sp-F   Thistles, Mallows, Borage
 
*West Coast Lady   Sp-F   Hollyhock, Mallows, Nettles

*Red Admiral   Sp-S   Nettles, Hops
 
*Woodland Skipper   S-F   Grasses 

unusual butterflies

Clodius Parnassian    F    Bleeding Heart Lowlands, foothills

Mustard White    S-F    Mustards, Cresses Moist woods

Sara Orangetip    S-F    Mustards

Gray Hairstreak    S-F    Mallows, Mints, Com, Strawberry

Silvery Blue    S-F    Lupines, Vetches

California Tortoiseshell    S    Ceanothus Occasionally seen

Monarch    S-F    Milkweeds Near Columbia River