Lepidoptera-Butterflies and Moths
| Danaidae Danaus plexippus Monarch Butterfly | Monarchs migrate through western Colorado during the summer and in some years can be very common. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |   |
| Hesperidae Checkered Skipper |  |
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| Hesperidae Skipper | This skipper was photographed at McGinnis Canyons Conservation area near Grand Junction on Sep 15, 2005. |  Photo by Bob Hammon. |
| Lycaenidae Brephidium exilis Pygmy blue | The pygmy blue is the smallest butterfly in North America. Larvae feed on plants in the Polyganaceae family. This butterfly was photographed at the Mesa County Fairgrounds on Nov. 10, 2005. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  Photo by Bob Hammon. |
| Lycaenidae Lycaenia cupreus Lustrous copper | This is a high altitude butterfly that flies near snowbanks in July. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  Photo by Bob Hammon. |
| Lycaenidae Lycaenea rubidus Ruddy copper, female | Ruddy coppers are common from the agricultural areas of the lower altitudes up to almost treeline in western Colorado. Bob Hammon shot this female in Gunnison County in 1985. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  Photo by Bob Hammon. |
| Lycaenidae Paratrytone snowi Snow's Copper | Snow's copper inhabits alpine environments and is often found near remnant snow fields above treeline during July. This male was photographed by Bob Hammon on July 15, 2005 in Gunnison County. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  Photo by Bob Hammon. |
| Lycaenidae Plebejus melissa Melissa's Blue | This colorful blue is very common across the west. It is a common inhabitant from the lower elevation agriculturaan areas up to above treeline. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  Photo by Bob Hammon.  Photo by Bob Hammon. |
| Noctuidae Noctuid larva | Bob Hammon shot this colorful noctuid moth larva on Black Mesa, Montrose CO in August 2006. |  Photo by Bob Hammon |
| Nymphalidae Chlosyne whitneyi Rockslide checkerspot | The rockslide checkerspot inhabits alpine talus slopes above treeline. This picture was taken by Bob Hammon on July 1, 2005 in Gunnison County. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  Photo by Bob Hammon. |
| Nymphalidae Euphydryas anicia Anicia Checkerspot | The Anicia checkerspot flies across higher altitudes in Colorado. Bob Hammon shot this mating pair in 1982. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  Photo by Bob Hammon. |
| Nymphalidae Junonia coenia Common Buckeye | This colorful butterfly migrates to western Colorado. Bob Hammon shot this picture at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  Photo by Bob Hammon. |
| Nymphalidae Nymphalis milberti Milbert's Tortoise Shell | This common nettle feeder can be found on the peak of any mountain in the west at some time. These were shot on a wagon wheel in a farmers field. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  Photo by Bob Hammon. |
| Papilionidae Papilio rutulus Tiger Swallowtail | Swallowtail on Lilac bush. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. Picture taken by Melissa Franklin (May 2007) near Collbran, CO |  Photo by Melissa Franklin. |
| Pieridae Colias eurytheme Alfalfa butterfly | Alfalfa butterflies can become abundant and sometimes reach pest status in alflfa fields across the nation. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  Photo by Tami Mattics |
| Pieridae Colias meadii Meads sulfur | A high altitude sulfur. This mating air was photographed in Gunnison County by Bob Hammon. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info |  Photo by Bob Hammon. |
| Pieridae Euchloe ausinoides Large marbeled white | This butterfly is sitting on a bistort in Gunnison County. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  Photo by Bob Hammon. |
| Pieridae Pontia beckerii Beckers White | Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  |
| Pieridae Pontia occidentalis Western white | A common inhabitant of the western US. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  |
| Pieridae Pontia sp. | This gray veined white is feeding on a willow flower in the early spring. |  |
| Satyridae Erebia callias Colorado Alpine | This is a high altitude tundra that has limited didtribution in a few western states. This picture was taken in Gunnison County CO. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  Photo by Bob Hammon. |
| Satyridae Neominois ridingsii Ridings Satyr | A rangeland butterfly photographed by Bob Hammon near Maybell CO in Moffat County. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  |
| Satyridae Oeneis sp. Arctic | This Arctic landed on a snowbank above 12,000 ft in July. Bob Hammon shot the picture in Gunnison County. |  Photo by Bob Hammon. |
| Sphingidae Pachysphinx occidentalis Big Poplar Sphinx | This is one of our largest hawkmoths in western Colorado. We get lots of pupae of this in the Grand Junction Extension office. Populus is the host plant. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America for more info. |  |
| Sphingidae Smerinthus sp | This sphinx moth is common across western Colorado. |  |
