Tennessee is home to approximately 130 species of butterflies, including a few rare species that have only been recorded once or twice. The state’s diverse geography, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River lowlands in the west, provides a wide range of habitats that support this rich butterfly diversity. Most resident species are typical of the eastern United States, though both southern and northern species are also present.

In 1995, the Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) was named the official state butterfly of Tennessee. Recognized by its bold black and white stripes and distinctive red and blue markings near the tail, the Zebra Swallowtail is a striking butterfly found throughout much of the eastern United States.