Butterflies
Butterflies, moths, and skippers are members of the order Lepidoptera. True butterflies are members of the superfamily Papilionoidea which umbrellas four families. Butterflies from three families are among those commonly seen locally. The largest family, Nymphalidae, the brush-footed butterflies, are found world-wide and display great diversity in appearance and lifestyle. They have small furry forelegs not used for walking but for sensory perception. In Illinois, most species have wings with brown, orange, yellow, or black colorations. The Papilionidae family contains the large brightly colored swallowtail butterflies. Their distinctive tailed hindwings, reminiscent of the tail feathers of swallows, give the butterflies their common name. Attracted to blossoms, these butterflies are great pollinators and welcome guests to flower gardens. The third family of butterflies, the Pieridae or the Whites and Sulfurs, are some of the most commonly seen butterflies in Illinois. Cabbage Butterflies, Clouded Sulfurs, and Alfalfa Butterflies, three of the most common, are on the wing in fields, gardens, and along roadsides from April to October. Skippers are also common visitors to Illinois gardens. Although not true butterflies, they share many characteristics with butterflies. Sometimes called “skipper butterflies,” several butterfly identification guides include skippers. They get their common name from their characteristic rapid flight patterns. Like butterflies, skippers are members of the order Lepidoptera, but are in the family Hesperiodea. Skippers have large bodies in proportion to their wings and antennae with hooked ends.