Over 60 species of butterflies have been recorded at Quivira, from the tiniest of blues to the large and showy swallowtails.  Click on the link here for a full checklist:

Checklist of the Butterflies or Quivira, updated 2020

Pictured here is a sampling of some of the more common and/or interesting species you may encounter.

Red Admiral	Checkered White
Mourning Cloak	Gray Copper
Variegated Fritillary	Pearl Crescent
American Lady	Monarch
Common Checkered Skipper	Silver-spotted Skipper
Dainty Sulphur	Orange Sulphur

Quivira "Specialties"

We have highlighted these species for reasons of range, habitat preference, appearance, or a combination of reasons.

Regal Fritillary, a true prairie-loving species	The Queen, a cousin of the Monarch, is a southwestern species that occurs here occasionally
The Painted Crescent:  compare with the common Pearl and not-so-common Phaon.	The Phaon Crescent:  like the Painted Crescent, this can be seen along the Wildlife Drive.
The Bordered Patch is a southern species that can become common in the fall.	The tiny Western Pygmy Blue, our smallest butterfly, prefers salt flats.