Butterflies & Moths

Both butterflies and moths are Insects in the Lepidoptera family. Butterflies and moths are present in the Elfin Forest year round. However, the adult form with wings is only seen for a short time. The rest of the year they go through their life cycle of egg to larva (caterpillar) to chrysalis for a butterfly and cocoon or pupal case for a moth before metamorphizing into an adult with wings that flies. Butterflies spend most of the year as caterpillars or as chrysalises. Below are photos of the life cycle of the Variable Checkerspot Butterfly. Notice that the upper and under side of the wings of the adult Variable Checkerspot are completely different, which is typical of most butterflies.

Spring is the best time to see butterflies in flight. That is because there is plenty of fresh foliage to lay their eggs on, provide food for their caterpillars, and flowers to provide nectar for the adults. Below are photos of a few species that you might see. For a more complete list of the species that you could expect to find in the Elfin Forest, click HERE.