The brush-footed butterflies (family Nymphalidae), also known as four-footed butterflies, are a diverse group within the order Lepidoptera. They are named for their uniquely reduced forelegs, which are often hairy and resemble small brushes. These forelegs are not used for walking, giving the appearance of having only four functional legs.
There are 34 species of brush-footed butterflies found in Tennessee. Click the links below to explore photos, fun facts, and detailed lists of host and nectar plants for each species.
Admirals & Ladies:
- American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
- Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
Checkerspots & Crescents:
- Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
- Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone)
- Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteris)
- Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
- Phaon Crescent (Phyciodes phaon)
Commas, Cloaks & Question Mark:
- Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
- Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
Emperors:
Fritillaries:
- Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
- Diana Fritillary (Speyeria diana)
- Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
- Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
- Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona)
- Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
Leafwings & Snouts:
Monarchs:
Satyrs & Wood-Nymphs:
- Appalachian Brown (Satyrodes appalachia)
- Carolina Satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius)
- Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
- Creole Pearly-eye (Enodia creola)
- Gemmed Satyr (Cyllopsis gemma)
- Little Wood-Satyr (Megisto cymela)
- Northern Pearly-eye (Enodia anthedon)
- Southern Pearly-eye (Enodia portlandia)