The US has about 200 Skipper species. Named for chaotic flight, They have hooked or recurved antennae and different wing venation than other butterflies.
Skippers
This family has little, colourful butterflies. Springtime brings brown elfins. Coppers are common in marshes and meadows. Hairstreaks have hairy hind wings.
Lycaenidae
Fritillary Butterflies are nymphalids. Underwings are silver. The Mourning Cloak overwinters as an adult by accumulating antifreeze-like chemicals.
Nymphalidae
US has 30 species vs. 600 globally. Common are large, colourful species with hindwing tails. This family includes multicoloured Parnassius butterflies.
Papilionidae
Red Admirals have a 1.75-2.5-inch wingspan.Dark brown with white dots and a reddish stripe. Back wing bark-like underside.
Red Admiral
Pinkish-orange with brown to black patterns near wingtips and white specks inside black markings.Caterpillars are greenish-yellow to charcoal. Most are spotted.
Painted Lady
Their coloration is orange with black veins. Wings have white dots.Caterpillars have black, white, and yellow bands and tentacles.
Monarch
Black with a white band on the upper wings.Their mottled brown, cream, and yellow caterpillars have angular bodies and twig-like horns.