Butterflies add color and movement throughout the gardens. Explore some of the species that have been observed at Clark Gardens, from familiar garden visitors to butterflies you may have to look a little closer to spot.
Take a closer look at some of the butterfly species that have been observed throughout Clark Gardens.*
Vanessa virginiensis
Libytheana carinenta
Papilio polyxenes
Pieris rapae
Pieris protodice
Calycopis isobeon
Strymon melinus
Asterocampa celtis
Danaus plexippus
Colias eurytheme
Vanessa cardui
Polygonia interrogationis
Vanessa atalanta
Calycopis cecrops
Euptoieta claudia
*The original butterfly species list was documented during a Friday Gulls field survey at Clark Gardens on May 7, 2010. This guide has been expanded to include additional butterflies known to visit the gardens. Butterfly presence varies by season, weather, and growing conditions.
**Photo Credits below.
Each spring, Monarch butterflies make their way north through Texas as part of their remarkable annual migration. Clark Gardens lies along their journey, giving visitors the chance to spot these unmistakable orange-and-black travelers as they move through the area.
As they travel, Monarchs depend on flowering plants for nectar to fuel their journey and milkweed for reproduction and the next generation of butterflies.
Spring brings plenty of reasons to watch the gardens closely—you never know when a Monarch may flutter by.
A garden full of flowers offers more than beauty. Nectar-rich blooms provide an important food source for adult butterflies, while host plants give certain species a place to lay their eggs and provide food for growing caterpillars.
As different plants come into bloom throughout the seasons, the garden becomes a changing landscape for butterflies to visit, feed, and continue their life cycle.
Butterfly identification photographs above were sourced through Wikimedia Commons and have been cropped and/or resized for display.
“American lady butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis)” by WanderingMogwai. Adapted from the original; adapted image licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_lady_butterfly_(Vanessa_virginiensis).jpg
CC BY-SA 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
"American snout” by Joshua Tree National Park/NPS; photo by Carmen Aurrecoechea. Public domain. Cropped/resized from the original.
Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_snout_(52419058848).jpg
"Papilio polyxenes 93660918” by Kaldari. CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Cropped/resized from the original.
Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Papilio_polyxenes_93660918.jpg
"Cabbage White – Pieris rapae, Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia” by Judy Gallagher. Licensed under CC BY 2.0. Adapted from the original.
Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cabbage_White_-_Pieris_rapae,_Big_Meadows,_Shenandoah_National_Park,_Virginia.jpg
CC BY 2.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
“Checkered White butterfly (Pontia protodice)” by Wildreturn. Licensed under CC BY 2.0. Adapted from the original.
Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Checkered_White_butterfly_(Pontia_protodice).jpg
CC BY 2.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
“Dusky-blue Groundstreak – Calycopis isobeon, McKinney Roughs Nature Park, Cedar Creek, Texas” by Judy Gallagher. Licensed under CC BY 2.0. Adapted from the original.
Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Duskyblue_Groundstreak__Calycopis_isobeon,_McKinney_Roughs_Nature_Park,_Cedar_Creek,_Texas_(32651235593).jpg
CC BY 2.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
"Strymon melinus gray hairstreak butterfly” by Jengod. Adapted from the original; adapted image licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Strymon_melinus_gray_hairstreak_butterfly.JPG
CC BY-SA 3.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
"Asterocampa celtis bastrop co tx” by Larry D. Moore. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Adapted from the original.
Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asterocampa_celtis_bastrop_co_tx.jpg
CC BY 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
“Orangesulphur.” Public domain. Cropped/resized from the original.
Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Orangesulphur.jpg
“Painted Lady. Vanessa cardui (33068715355)” by gailhampshire. Licensed under CC BY 2.0. Adapted from the original.
Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Painted_Lady._Vanessa_cardui_(33068715355).jpg
CC BY 2.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
“Polygonia interrogationis” by James Steakley. Adapted from the original; adapted image licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polygonia_interrogationis.jpg
CC BY-SA 3.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
"Red Admiral – Vanessa atalanta, Sapelo Island, Georgia – 16498620229” by Judy Gallagher. Licensed under CC BY 2.0. Adapted from the original.
Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red_Admiral_-_Vanessa_atalanta,_Sapelo_Island,_Georgia_-_16498620229.jpg
CC BY 2.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
“Red-banded Hairstreak – Calycopis cecrops, Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest, Felda, Florida – 16233226910” by Judy Gallagher. Licensed under CC BY 2.0. Adapted from the original.
Source ·https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red_Admiral_-_Vanessa_atalanta,_Sapelo_Island,_Georgia_-_16498620229.jpg
CC BY 2.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
“Variegated Fritillary – Euptoieta claudia, Meadowwood Farm SRMA, Mason Neck, Virginia” by Judy Gallagher. Licensed under CC BY 2.0. Adapted from the original.
Source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Variegated_Fritillary_-_Euptoieta_claudia,_Meadowwood_Farm_SRMA,_Mason_Neck,_Virginia.jpg
CC BY 2.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?utm_source=chatgpt.com