Beyond Monarchs: Discovering the Lesser-Known Butterflies of the Sonoran Desert

Welcome to the mesmerizing realm of butterflies in the Sonoran Desert, where a kaleidoscope of colors dances through the arid landscapes. These exquisite creatures, such as the Painted Lady, Arizona Sister, Common Sootywing, White-lined Sphinx, and American Snout, grace the desert with their delicate beauty.

Let’s take a brief look at their preferred host plants, nectar plants and their seasonal patterns as they enchant the Sonoran Desert from spring to fall.

Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui): The Painted Lady is a widespread butterfly species with distinct orange, black, and white markings on its wings. It is known for its migratory behavior.

• Host Plants: Painted Lady caterpillars feed on a wide array of plants, including thistles, asters, mallows, hollyhocks, and various legumes.
• Nectar Plants: Painted Ladies visit a variety of flowers, such as sunflowers, thistles, asters, and zinnias, for nectar.
• Seasonality: Painted Ladies are highly migratory and can be seen in the Sonoran Desert during their spring and fall migrations.
• Preferred Environments: Painted Ladies are adaptable and can be found in various habitats, including deserts, grasslands, and gardens.

Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus): Similar in appearance to the Monarch, the Queen Butterfly has orange-brown wings with black veins and white spots.

• Host Plants: Queen butterfly larvae primarily feed on milkweed species (Asclepias spp.), similar to Monarchs.
• Nectar Plants: They are attracted to a variety of flowers, including milkweed, lantana, thistles, and sunflowers.
• Seasonality: Queens can be found in the Sonoran Desert year-round, but they are more abundant during spring and fall.
• Preferred Environments: Queen butterflies inhabit a wide range of habitats, including deserts, arid scrublands, and cultivated areas.

White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata): While not technically a butterfly, this moth is commonly mistaken for one due to its diurnal behavior. It has brown and white wings with pink stripes and is known for its hovering flight.

• Host Plants: The caterpillars of White-lined Sphinx Moths feed on various plants, such as members of the evening primrose family (Onagraceae) and grape family (Vitaceae).
• Nectar Plants: Adults seek nectar from a variety of flowers, including desert marigolds, petunias, and penstemons.
• Seasonality: These moths can be observed in the Sonoran Desert from late spring to early fall.
• Preferred Environments: White-lined Sphinx Moths are found in a range of habitats, including desert washes, arid grasslands, and suburban areas.

Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor): This butterfly species has dark blue-black wings with iridescent blue scaling. The undersides of the wings feature bold orange and black patterns.

• Host Plants: Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars feed on pipevine species (Aristolochia spp.), which contain toxic compounds that make them unpalatable to predators.
• Nectar Plants: Adults are attracted to flowers like milkweed, thistles, lantana, and butterfly bush for nectar.
• Seasonality: Pipevine Swallowtails can be seen in the Sonoran Desert from late spring to early fall.
• Preferred Environments: They prefer riparian habitats, canyons, and other areas where their host plants grow.

Western Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium exile): The Western Pygmy-Blue is one of the smallest butterflies in North America. It has grayish-brown wings with a subtle blue hue.

• Host Plants: The larvae of Western Pygmy-Blues feed on legumes such as mesquites (Prosopis spp.) and other small plants.
• Nectar Plants: Adults obtain nectar from various tiny flowers, including desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata), brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), and desert lavender (Hyptis emoryi).
• Seasonality: Western Pygmy-Blues are typically seen from late spring to early fall in the Sonoran Desert.
• Preferred Environments: These butterflies prefer open areas, including desert scrub, dry washes, and sandy areas.

Checkered White Butterfly (Pontia protodice): This butterfly species has white wings with distinct black checkered patterns. It is commonly found in desert habitats.

• Host Plants: The caterpillars of Checkered White Butterflies feed on plants from the mustard family (Brassicaceae), such as desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) and desert pepperweed (Lepidium fremontii).
• Nectar Plants: Adults are attracted to a variety of flowers, including desert marigold, dandelions, and desert lavender.
• Seasonality: Checkered White Butterflies are commonly seen in the Sonoran Desert from late winter to spring and occasionally in the fall.
• Preferred Environments: They inhabit open areas, including desert washes, dry grasslands, and disturbed areas.

Marine Blue Butterfly (Leptotes marina): This small butterfly species has bluish wings with a characteristic metallic sheen. It is commonly found in desert areas.

• Host Plants: The larvae of Marine Blue Butterflies primarily feed on legumes, including indigo bush (Psorothamnus spp.) and other small plants.
• Nectar Plants: Adults are attracted to flowers such as desert lavender, desert marigold, and catclaw acacia (Acacia greggii) for nectar.
• Seasonality: Marine Blue Butterflies can be observed in the Sonoran Desert from late spring to early fall.

Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis funeralis)

• Host Plants: The larvae of Funereal Duskywings feed on plants from the pea family (Fabaceae), including mesquites (Prosopis spp.) and legumes.
• Nectar Plants: Adults are attracted to various flowers such as desert marigold, desert lavender, and milkweeds.
• Seasonality: Funereal Duskywings are commonly seen in the Sonoran Desert from spring to early fall.
• Preferred Environments: They inhabit diverse habitats, including desert washes, arid grasslands, and mesquite bosques.

Empress Leilia (Asterocampa leilia)

• Host Plants: The caterpillars of Empress Leilia butterflies feed on plants from the nettle family (Urticaceae), including stinging nettle (Urtica spp.).
• Nectar Plants: Adults visit a variety of flowers such as desert marigold, desert lavender, and thistles for nectar.
• Seasonality: Empress Leilia butterflies can be observed in the Sonoran Desert from spring to fall.
• Preferred Environments: They inhabit diverse habitats, including desert washes, riparian areas, and open woodlands.

Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)

• Host Plants: Sleepy Orange caterpillars feed on plants from the pea family (Fabaceae), including Senna spp, wild sensitive plant (Mimosa biuncifera) and various legumes.
• Nectar Plants: Adults are attracted to flowers such as desert marigold, desert lavender, and lantana for nectar.
• Seasonality: Sleepy Orange butterflies are commonly seen in the Sonoran Desert from spring to fall.
• Preferred Environments: They inhabit a range of open habitats, including deserts, grasslands, and disturbed areas.

Mexican Yellow (Eurema mexicana)

• Host Plants: Mexican Yellow caterpillars feed on plants from the pea family (Fabaceae), including various legumes and wild sensitive plant (Mimosa biuncifera).
• Nectar Plants: Adults seek nectar from a variety of flowers, including desert marigold, desert lavender, and thistles.
• Seasonality: Mexican Yellow butterflies can be observed in the Sonoran Desert from spring to fall.
• Preferred Environments: They prefer open habitats, including deserts, grasslands, and desert scrub.

Texan Crescent (Anthanassa texana)

• Host Plants: The larvae of Texan Crescent butterflies feed on plants from the aster family (Asteraceae), including asters and sunflowers.
• Nectar Plants: Adults visit various flowers such as desert marigold, desert lavender, and asters for nectar.
• Seasonality: Texan Crescent butterflies are commonly seen in the Sonoran Desert from spring to fall.
• Preferred Environments: They inhabit a variety of open habitats, including deserts, grasslands, and desert scrub.

Reakirt’s Blue (Hemiargus isola)

• Host Plants: Reakirt’s Blue caterpillars feed on plants from the pea family (Fabaceae), including various legumes and vetches.
• Nectar Plants: Adults seek nectar from flowers such as desert marigold, desert lavender, and wildflowers from the pea family.
• Seasonality: Reakirt’s Blue butterflies can be observed in the Sonoran Desert from spring to fall.
• Preferred Environments: They inhabit open areas, including desert washes, grasslands, and disturbed areas.

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)

• Host Plants: Orange Sulphur caterpillars feed on plants from the pea family (Fabaceae), including various clover species.
• Nectar Plants: Adults seek nectar from a variety of flowers, including desert marigold, desert lavender, and wildflowers from the pea family.
• Seasonality: Orange Sulphur butterflies are commonly seen in the Sonoran Desert from spring to fall.
• Preferred Environments: They prefer open areas, including desert washes, grasslands, and meadows.

Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

• Host Plants: Variegated Fritillary caterpillars feed on plants from the violet family (Violaceae), including various violets (Viola spp.).
• Nectar Plants: Adults visit a variety of flowers, including desert marigold, desert lavender, and asters for nectar.
• Seasonality: Variegated Fritillary butterflies can be observed in the Sonoran Desert from spring to fall.
• Preferred Environments: They inhabit diverse habitats, including desert washes, open woodlands, and disturbed areas.

Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)

• Host Plants: Gulf Fritillary caterpillars feed on passionflower vines (Passifloraceae), including species like the native yellow passionflower (Passiflora lutea) and the non-native purple passionflower (Passiflora incarnata).
• Nectar Plants: Adults are attracted to a variety of flowers, including desert marigold, desert lavender, lantana, and milkweeds.
• Seasonality: Gulf Fritillaries are commonly seen in the Sonoran Desert from spring to fall.
• Preferred Environments: They inhabit diverse habitats, including desert washes, open woodlands, urban gardens, and areas with suitable passionflower host plants.

To see more of our Sonoran Desert butterflies, visit our Butterflies page at https://pollinatorweb.com/butterflies/butterflies/.