Home >> Science & Nature >> Insects & Science

How to Identify Black & Yellow Butterfly Found in Minnesota

Identifying the species of butterfly that you have seen can be challenging. One way to identify a butterfly is by following a dichotomous key, which asks a series of questions about the organism and narrows down the species possibilities by your responses. Sometimes, keys don't exist, however. If that is the case, you need to look through photos in books and online resources to identify your butterfly. Most universities have lists of butterflies and other wildlife found within the state. The University of Minnesota has a list of butterflies found in the state on its website.

Things You'll Need

Camera
Dichotomous butterfly key
Checklist of Minnesota butterflies

Instructions

- 1
  Take a photograph of the butterfly in question.
- 2
  Estimate the size of the butterfly. Compare the size of the butterfly to a nearby flower. Measure the flower so you can then estimate the size of the butterfly. If you don't have a way to measure the flower, tear a leaf to size and measure it later.
- 3
  Note all of the butterfly's colors. Record the main wing color and the secondary color.
- 4
  Write down color patterns, such as stripes, dots, bars, edge color and eye patterns on the wings.
- 5
  Look up the butterfly in a book or database, starting with color. Use a dichotomous key to find the most probable butterfly. The key will factor in other characteristics, such as size and patterns. Dichotomous keys are available in some field guides, which may be available at your local library. While not technically a dichotomous key, the identification key at the Discover Life website (see Resources) will lead you to identification of your butterfly through a process of choices primarily based on colors.
- 6
  Look up the butterfly species on the University of Minnesota extension butterfly checklist (see Resources) after identifying the species names of possible matches to ensure the species is found in Minnesota.

Insects & Science