The Michigan Bulb Co. is a big fan of pollinators, and like them even better when they’re gorgeous to look at. Their enthusiasm led to curiosity, and they wondered in which states you’re most likely to see the most butterflies. So, they took to the internet to find out!
Methodology
“Our team scraped the butterfly identification site to find every species that exists naturally in each state in the US. Using that raw data, we were able to identify which states had the most native butterfly species and which species are rarest in the country.
“You can find our insights below!”
“Based on the butterfly identification site, the best states to find butterflies include Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia, each of which is home to 54 species of native butterflies. Alaska was the worst state to find butterflies, with only 12 native species. This wasn’t particularly surprising to us, as the cold temperatures seem to support that kind of trend. What did surprise us was that Hawaii, with all its gorgeous flowers and tropical climates, is home to only 14 species of native butterflies! That meant it ranked as the second-worst state to find butterflies in the US.”
“Based on our source, there was a tie for the most common butterfly species in the country. Seven species of butterflies can be found in every state in the US:
● Monarch Butterfly
● Mourning Cloak Butterfly
● Painted Lady Butterfly
● Red Admiral Butterfly
● Spring Azure Butterfly
● Variegated Fritillary Butterfly
● White Admiral Butterfly
“Meanwhile, two species of butterfly are tied for rarest in the US, appearing in only two states apiece: Cassius Blue Butterfly and the Rusty-tipped Page. The Cassius Blue Butterfly can be found in Texas and Florida, while the Rusty-tipped Page can be found in New Mexico and Texas.
“Overall, there are 72 species of butterflies that are native to the US. If you’re wondering what the most common types look like, check out the graphic below!”
“At Michigan Bulb, we’re always happy to see a butterfly bobbing around our plants! We know how important it is for our plants to be pollinated, so any friend of a butterfly is a friend of ours. To honor that, we’ve created a Butterfly Garden Kit that includes 30 plants butterflies love so you can attract these lovely and useful additions to your garden. If you’re interested in creating a haven for butterflies in your yard, you can get more information here!”