Butterflies of South Dakota

Gary Marrone (gmarrone@aol.com)

As a result of 25 years of collecting and records gathering, 172 species of butterflies are known to occur in South Dakota. Based on ca. 7500 butterfly records there is an average of 41 species from each of South Dakota's 66 counties. The number of species known per county ranges from 14 for Bon Homme County to 123 for Pennington County. In general, the counties with the highest totals are those of the Black Hills which is a reflection of a greater sampling effort combined with a broad diversity of habitats. The counties with the fewest reported species are generally highly agricultural or have not been surveyed thoroughly.

Powesheik Skipperling

Photo by G. Marrone

Habitat diversity is the key to the person interested in trying to find where most South Dakota butterflies live. For example, the Dakota Skipper, occurs only in good native prairie areas in the northeastern corner of the state.

Myrna Fritillary

Photo by G. Marrone

The Powesheik Skipperling, Myrina Fritillary, and Eyed Brown all prefer edges of marshes while the Say's Parnassian is restricted to the higher elevations of the Black Hills.

Some butterflies can be attracted to an urban area or a persons backyard by planting a butterfly garden.

Painted Lady

Photo by G. Marrone

Many of the anglewings, such as the Mourning Cloak, hibernate as an adult and can sometimes be seen flying on a warm sunny day as early as February. The best times to observe South Dakota butterflies is during the months of June and July when over 130 of the 172 species are in flight. However, some species such as the Olympia Marble emerge early in the Spring and are best observed during May.

For additional information on South Dakota's butterflies, including a state checklist, feel free to contact Gary Marrone (gmarrone@aol.com). Gary encourages anyone who can provide data on South Dakota butterflies to contact him.

Copyright © 1997 Gary Marrone
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Most recent revision Monday, April 28, 1997