Science Information on Butterflies in Alaska & Canada

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

• The Papilionidae family of butterflies, which contains over 350 species, has two species that are native to Alaska and Canada. The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, scientific name Papilio canadensis, is a yellow and black butterfly with a wingspan of 67 to 80 millimeters in length. This butterfly lays eggs in the spring and summer, which hatch and form a pupae and emerge in May. The Old World Swallowtail is another member of this genus that is found in Canada and Alaska. These butterflies are yellow with black veins and have tails that protrude out of their back wings.

Arctic Fritillary

• The Arctic Fritillary butterfly is another common butterfly of Alaska and northwestern Canada. The scientific name for this butterfly is Boloria chariclea, and it belongs to the Nymphalidae family of butterflies, which generally have a small pair of front legs, giving them their nickname, four-footed butterflies. The Arctic Fritillary is a smaller member of this family, with a wingspan of 16 to 18 millimeters. They survive during the cold northern winters as larvae and then fly and mate from July to August.

Parnassius

• The Parnassius family of butterflies is a subfamily of the Swallowtail family. These butterflies are generally white or yellow and thrive in high altitudes. Both the Evermann's and the Phoebus Parnassius are butterflies common to Alaska and Canada. Also known as the Yellow Apollo, Evermann's Parnassius has broad yellow wings and flies from July to August. The Phoebus Parnassius, or Small Apollo, is another member of this sub-family that lives in the region. It is white with brown and rust colored spots on its upper and lower wings. It also flies from July to August.

Sulfur Butterflies

• Sulfur butterflies are a subfamily of the Pieridae genus, two species of which are found in Alaska and Canada. The Labrador Sulfur is a small, green member of this family that thrives from July to August in high altitudes and low temperatures. The Giant Sulfur butterfly is also common in this region. Much like its name, it is one of the larger regional butterfly species with a wingspan of 75 to 102 millimeters. Males and females of this species have brightly colored orange or yellow wings and fly throughout July into August.