Butterfly Families

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Satyrs

Mostly medium-size, with wingspans from 1 to 2 7/8 inches, satyrs are dull brown or gray, with several eyespots along the edges of their wings (see wood nymph satyr at left). They blend into their grassy habitat when basking with wings closed. Satyrs fly weakly near the ground and are more likely to seek tree sap than nectar. The two-tailed caterpillars overwinter in leaf litter or attach themselves to grass blades with silk. In spring, they form smooth chrysalides on grass blades or in litter.

Milkweed Butterflies

Of this tropical subfamily, the monarch and queen are the main North American butterflies. Their large orange wings spanning 3 to 4 inches warn predators that they taste bad, due to toxins they ingest when feeding on their primary host plants, the milkweeds (Asclepias). They are strong fliers, undertaking long migrations in spring and fall. Caterpillars are boldly striped in warning colors of yellow, black and white. The rounded chrysalides, hanging from branches, are celadon-green with a band of gold dots. They become transparent, revealing the orange wings within about a day before the butterflies emerge.

Fritillaries

Fritillaries inhabit northern and alpine regions. Bright orange with a checkered pattern, they range in size from small to large (wingspans from 1 1/2 to 3 3/4 inches), with most falling in the middle. Violets (Viola) are their primary caterpillar host plants. Greater fritillaries, such as the great spangled fritillary, also are called silverspots, for the silvery markings on the wing undersides. Misnamed for its orange coloration, the gulf fritillary actually is a longwing.

Adapted from The Butterfly Gardener’s Guide, edited by Claire Hagen Dole and one of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s All-Region Guides. To order this and other titles published by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, call (718) 623-7286 or shop online at www.bbg.org.

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