Canada's Endangered Butterfly Species

 

All about the butterfly species in Canada that are listed as endangered, and what you can do to help these butterflies. There are nearly 300 butterfly species that call Canada home, but there are a few butterfly species that need extra help more than other butterfly species. In Canada there are eighteen butterfly species that are endangered which include Monarch, Frosted Elfin, Persius Duskywing, Mottled Duskywing, Early Hairstreak, Karner Blue, Dakota Skipper, West Virginia White, Taylor’s Checkerspot, Bog Elfin, Diana Fritillary, Large Marble, Arogos Skipper, Dukes’ Skipper, Eastern Tailed Blue, Ottoe Skipper, Poweshiek Skipperling, and Maritime Ringlet. Some of the butterflies are extirpated, others are endangered, others are threatened, and some are special concern. You’ll learn a little bit about each butterfly species, what their host plant(s) are, what their favourite native flowering plants, and how you can help these butterflies to bring back their population numbers.

Endangerment Terms

The terms extirpated, endangered, threatened, and special concern are totally different from one another and they each mean a different thing when it comes to butterfly species that are at risk. You will learn all about what these terms are and what they all mean in this section down below. These terms are super important to learn because it so good to be aware of these terms and what they all mean. 

🟠 Extirpated: This term means that this butterfly species is extinct in Canada, but it still exists in other jurisdictions.

🔵 Endangered: This term means that this butterfly species is facing imminent extirpation or even extinction.

🔴 Threatened: This term means that this butterfly species is likely to become endangered if protection measures are not implemented or accelerated.

🟣 Special Concern: This term means that this butterfly species may become threatened or endangered due to adverse biological and/or environmental conditions that have been identified and are predicted to worsen.

Endangered Butterfly Species

Monarch Butterfly on Swamp Milkweed

Photo Credits: mollyhanse from iNaturalist

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) : The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the easiest butterfly to find and identify, due to the size of the monarch butterfly and what their appearances are. Males and females of monarch butterflies look the same, but their appearances are different from one another. The upper side of males is bright orange with black wing veins and borders that are thin. The males have a small black dot on the bottom of each wing, and they’re bigger in size. They have white dots or spots along the border and outline of the wings. The upper side of females is more of a darker orange that resembles a dark brownish orange colour. Females have thicker and wider wing veins compared to the males. They don’t have a black dot on the bottom of each wing. Females have white spots or dots, on the borders or the outline of their wings just like the male monarch butterflies. This butterfly is a large butterfly having a wingspan of three to four inches. The monarch butterfly is a member of the “Brush Footed Butterfly Family”. This butterfly is an endangered butterfly species in Canada. The monarch butterfly’s host plant is “Milkweed”. Their favourite Milkweed species are Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), and Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Some of the monarch butterfly’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida), Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Tall Ironweed (Vernonia gigantea), Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata), Scarlet Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), Sweet Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum), Cylindrical Blazing Star (Liatris cylindracea), Spotted Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum), New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), and Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve).

A Frosted Elfin Butterfly relaxing on a rock 

Photo Credits: cbuelow45 from iNaturalist

Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus) : The frosted elfin (Callophrys irus) is a small butterfly with a wingspan of 22 - 24 mm (0.87 - 0.94 inches). The hindwings on this butterfly has one short tail. The top side of the wings is brown. On this butterfly the hindwings have submarginal black spots above the tail, and below the post median line is faint. Males have a greyish brown upper side, and females have a more reddish upper side. The males have long oval dark spots on the leading edge of their forewings. This butterfly species is a member of the “Gossamer - winged Butterflies Family”. The frosted elfin is extirpated in the province of Ontario, other parts of Canada, and some parts of The United States. The host plants of the frosted elfin are Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis), and Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis). Some of the frosted elfin’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Bog Violet (Viola conspersa), Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens), Woolly Blue Violet (Viola sororia), Hairy Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum pilosum), Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica), Black Huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata), Thin leaf Huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum), Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), and Common Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis).

A Persius Duskywing Butterfly on a flower

Photo Credits: mark4517 from iNaturalist

Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius) : The persius duskywing (Erynnis persius) is a small sized butterfly with a wingspan of 28 to 35 mm. The upper side of both forewings and hindwings are a dark brown colour. The forewing has clear spots with other light coloured markings, and the patch at the end of the cell is grey. The males have raised hairs that are white on their forewings. The hindwings are fringed with darker brown to black, and has another fringe that is creamy white in colour. The females have a scent scale patch on their seventh abdominal segment. This butterfly species is a member of the “Skipper Butterfly Family”. This butterfly is extirpated in Ontario, and other parts of Canada. The host plants of the persius duskywing include Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis), and Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis). Some of the persius duskywing’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), Sweet Crabapple (Malus coronaria), American Plum (Prunus americana), Bird’s foot Violet (Viola pedata), and Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis).

A Mottled Duskywing Butterfly on a plant

Photo Credits: jhskevington from iNaturalist

Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis) : The mottled duskywing (Erynnis martialis) is a medium sized butterfly with a wingspan of 25 - 29 mm. Their wings are light brown with dark grey and yellow brown spots. Freshly emerged adults have a purplish iridescence. This butterfly species is a member of the “Skipper Butterfly Family”. The mottled duskywing is expirated in the province of Ontario, and other parts of Canada. The host plants of the mottled duskywing are New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus), and Prairie Redroot (Ceanothus herbaceus). Some of the mottled duskywing’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta), Long - leaved Summer Bluet (Houstonia longifolia), Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata), Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Cut leaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata), Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida). 

A Early Hairstreak Butterfly with it's wings closed.

Photo Credits: willkuhn from iNaturalist

A Early Hairstreak Butterfly with it's wings opened. 

Photo Credits: dhcox57 from iNaturalist

Early Hairstreak (Erota laeta) : The early hairstreak (Erota laeta) is a small butterfly with a wingspan of 22 mm to 24 mm. This hairstreak species has no tails at the end of their wings. The upper side of the wings are blue and black. The udder side of the wings are turquoise blue, and the hindwings have two irregular bands of small orange spots. The females have more blue colouring on their wings than the males. The early hairstreak is a member of the ''Gossamer - winged Butterflies Family''. This butterfly species is a threatened butterfly species. The host plants of the early hairstreak are American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), and Beaked Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta). Some of the early hairstreak’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Canadian Fleabane (Erigeron canadensis), Common Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum americanum), Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica), Hardtack (Rhus aromatica), Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta).

A Karner Blue Butterfly with it's wings closed

Photo Credits: rayrob from iNaturalist

A Karner Blue Butterfly with it's wings opened

Photo Credits: delbachert from iNaturalist

Karner Blue (Plebejus samuelis) : The karner blue (Plebejus samuelis) is a small butterfly that has a wingspan of about 1 inch. The male and female of this small butterfly are different in appearance. The males have dark blue or silver blue wings with a black border. The females’ wings are a duller blue that fades to a brownish or greyish colour towards the edges. Their wings are bordered with a row of dark spots with orange crescents. The under side of the both male and female is light grey to a greyish brown with rows of brown spots. The edges of the underside of their wings has a row of blue - green, orange, and black spots. The karner blue butterfly is a member of the ''Gossamer - winged Butterflies Family''. This butterfly is extirpated in Canada. The host plant of the karner blue butterfly is Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis). Some of the karner blue butterfly’s favourite native plants for nectar include Canada Rockcress (Boechera stricta), Wild Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus), Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata).

A Dakota Skipper on flowers

Photo Credits: dvollmar from iNaturalist

Dakota Skipper (Hesperia dacotae) : The dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae) is a small sized butterfly with a wingspan of approximately one inch. Males are a tawny orange to brown on the forewings with a prominent mark, and dusty yellow on the lower part of the wings. Females are a darker brown orange and there are white spots on the forewing margin. The dakota skipper butterfly is a member of the ''Skipper Butterfly Family''. This butterfly is threatened in Canada. The host plants of the dakota skipper are Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). Some of the dakota skipper’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Narrow - leaf Coneflower (Enchinacea angustifolia), Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida), New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve), Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta), and Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). 

A West Virginia White Butterfly with their wings closed.

Photo Credits: jill1004 from iNaturalist

A West Virginia White Butterfly with their wings opened. 

Photo Credits: jennypansing from iNaturalist

West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis) : The west virginia white butterfly (Pieris virginiensis) is a small sized butterfly with a wingspan of three to four centimetres. This butterfly has translucent wings, that are whitish with no yellowish tint underneath. The underside of the hindwings with blurry brown or pale grey scaling along the veins of the wings. The west virginia white butterfly is a member of the ''Whites & Sulphurs Butterfly Family''. This butterfly is a species for special concern in Canada. The host plants of the west virginia white butterfly are Cut leaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata), and Two - leaved Toothwort (Cardamine diphylla). Some of the west virginia white butterfly’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica), Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens), Woolly Blue Violet (Viola sororia), Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta), Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis), Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve), and Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum).

A Taylor's Checkerspot on flowers

Photo Credits: swisschick on iNaturalist

Taylor's Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha taylori) :  The taylor’s checkerspot (Euphydryas editha taylori) is a medium sized butterfly with a wingspan of 26 - 43 mm. This butterfly has a striking checkered pattern of orange, brick red, black, and cream colour on their wings. When their wings are closed, they have a similar pattern like when their wings are opened. This butterfly is a member of the ''Brush Footed Butterflies Family''. The taylor’s checkerspot butterfly is an endangered species in Canada. The host plants of the taylor’s checkerspot are Harsh Paintbrush (Castilleja hispida), Narrow Leaf Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Sea Blush (Plectritis congesta), Spring Blue eyed Mary (Collinsia verna), Large flowered tickseed (Coreopsis grandiflora), and Lance - leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata). Some of the taylor’s checkerspot’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar includes Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), Western Buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis), Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens), Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Woolly Blue Violet (Viola sororia), Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta), Woolly Blue Violet (Viola sororia), Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida).

A Bog Elfin Butterfly on a white flower

Photo Credits: jvcalhoun from iNaturalist

Bog Elfin (Callophrys lanoraieensis) : The bog elfin (Callophrys lanoraieensis) is a small sized butterfly with a wingspan of 22 to 24 mm. It is a very small butterfly that is tailess. The upper side of the wings on females are brown, and the upper side of the wings on males have more orange. The underside of hindwing has a reduced or obscure pattern, and the outer margin of the wings is frosted with grey. This butterfly is a member of the ''Gossamer - winged Butterflies Family''. The bog elfin is an endangered species in Canada. The host plants of the bog elfin are White Spruce (Picea glauca), and Black Spruce (Picea mariana). Some of the bog elfin’s favourite native flowering plants as nectar include Northern Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Pussy Willow (Salix discolor), Common Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifoilum), Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica), Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica), Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), Canada Rosebay (Rhododendron canadense), Purple Chokecherry (Aronia floribunda), and Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). 

A Diana Fritillary Butterfly resting on a leaf with their wings closed.

Photo Credits: celtithemis from iNaturalist

A Diana Fritillary Butterfly resting on flowers with their wings opened.

Photo Credits: allen_barlow from iNaturalist

Diana Fritillary (Speyeria diana) : The diana fritillary (Speyeria diana) is a large butterfly with a wingspan of 3 7/16 to 4 7/16 inches. The males and females are different from one another. The upper sides of male wings are black in the basal half and orange with black veins, and small spots in the outer half. Females are black with white spots in the outer half of the forewing, and with blue spots on the outer part of the hindwing. The undersides of the wings are dark greenish brown without spots. This butterfly is a member of the ''Brush Footed Butterflies Family''. The butterfly species called the diana fritillary is expirated in Canada. The host plants of the diana fritillary are Canada Violet (Viola canadensis), Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens), Bog Violet (Viola conspersa), Birdfoot Violet (Viola pedata), Woolly Blue Violet (Viola sororia), and Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda). Some of the diana fritillary’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor), Tall Ironweed (Vernonia gigantea), Hairy Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum pilosum), Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), and Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida). 

A Large Marble Butterfly having a drink from a flower.

Photo Credits: glennfine from iNaturalist

Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides) : The large marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides) is a medium sized butterfly with a wingspan of 3.8 - 5.1 cm. This butterfly has white scales that are scattered in the forewing, and a black pattern on the tip of the forewing. There is a compact green marbling on the underside of the hindwing. The large marble butterfly is a member of the ''Whites & Sulphurs Butterfly Family''. This butterfly is an endangered species in Canada. The host plants of the large marble butterfly are Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium offcinale), Dyer’s Woad (Isatis tinctoria), Drummond’s Rockcress (Arabis drummondii), and Field Mustard (Brassica rapa). Some of the large marble’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Cluster - Lillies (Brodiaea coronaria), Common Fiddleneck (Amsinckia menziesii), Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta), Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata), Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor), Azure Blue Sage (Salvia azurea), Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Tall Ironweed (Vernonia gigantea), and Hairy Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum pilosum).

A Arogos Skipper relaxing on a flower

Photo Credits: jlackey from iNaturalist

Arogos Skipper (Atrytone arogos) : The arogos skipper (Atrytone arogos) is a small butterfly with a wingspan of 29 to 37 mm. The upper side of their wings are yellow orange with black borders, which are wider in females. The underside of the hindwings are yellow with paler veins. The arogos skipper butterfly is a member of the ''Skipper Butterfly Family''. This butterfly species is an endangered in Canada. The host plants of the arogos skipper are Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans). Some of the arogos skipper’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida), Canada Fleabane (Erigeron canadensis), Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis), Prairie Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata), Lance - leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), and Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium).

A Dukes' Skipper relaxing on an ornamental grass.

Photo Credits: trtgers from iNaturalist

Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes duekesi) : The dukes’ skipper (Euphyes duekesi) is a small sized butterfly with a wingspan of 31 - 37 mm. This skipper butterfly has short rounded wings. The wings of both sexes are deep brown on top, and the underside of the hindwings are light brown with pale yellow rays. The single yellowish streak on the hindwing beneath is unmistakable. Females are slightly larger than males, and they have a hindwing band with two to three pale yellow spots. The males of this butterfly species have a black stigma on the forewing. The dukes’ skipper is a member of the ''Skipper Butterfly Family''. This skipper butterfly is a threatened species in Canada. The host plants of the dukes’ skipper are Lake Sedge (Carex lacustris), and Shoreline Sedge (Carex hynalinolepis). Some of the dukes’ skipper’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos), Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca), Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor), Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata), Virginia Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum), and Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum).

A Eastern Tailed Blue Butterfly relaxing on an ornamental grass.

Photo Credits: thilini2 from iNaturalist

Eastern Tailed Blue (Cupido comyntas) : The eastern tailed blue butterfly (Cupido comyntas) is a small sized butterfly with a wingspan of 21 to 29 mm. Males are blue on the upperside of their wings, while females are lighter blue to brown or charcoal in colouring. There is also varieties of purple and pink found in both males and females. The underside colouration ranges from bluish white to tan. There are two or three (outermost one often faint) black to orange chevron shaped spots on the rear of the hindwings, and a trailing tail off off of the innermost of the spots. The eastern tailed blue butterfly is a member of the ''Gossamer - winged Butterflies Family''. This blue butterfly called the eastern tailed blue is threatened in Canada. The host plants of the eastern tailed blue butterfly are Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Beach Pea (Lathyrus japonicus), Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus), Common Vetch (Vicia sativa), White Clover (Trifolium repens), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Slender Bush Clover (Lespedeza virginica), and Round - headed Bush Clover (Lespedeza capitata). Some of the eastern tailed blue’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca), Common Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta), Lance - leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris), New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve), Large - leaved Aster (Eurybia macrophylla), White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata), and Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium).

 

A Ottoe Skipper on Common Milkweed

Photo Credits: brad135 from iNaturalist

Ottoe Skipper (Hesperia ottoe) : The ottoe skipper (Hesperia ottoe) is a small sized butterfly with a wingspan of 29 - 35 mm. Males and females differ from one another, where they have a different physical appearance. Males are yellowish orange with a diffuse brownish border on the upper side of the wings, and an elongated dark mark (called the brand) on the front wing. The underside is uniform, and the colouration is pale yellowish orange. Females lack the brand and are a dull brown with a pale puff markings on the upper side of the front wings. The underside of the wings is pale orange and usually without spots. This butterfly is a member of the ''Skipper Butterfly Family''. The ottoe skipper is an endangered species in Canada. The host plants for the ottoe skipper butterfly are Fall Witch Grass (Digitaria cognatum), Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), and Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). Some of the ottoe skipper butterfly’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis), Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa), Brittle Prickly Pear (Opuntia fragilis), Leadplant (Amorpha canescens), Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata), Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum), Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus), Pale - leaved Sunflower (Helianthus strumosus), False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida), Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum), and Cylindrical Blazing Star (Liatris cylindracea).

A Poweshiek Skipperling on an Ornamental Grass

Photo Credits: kirstynleighe from iNaturalist

Poweshiek Skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek) :  The poweshiek skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek) is a small sized butterfly with a wingspan of 24 to 30 mm. The dorsal wing surfaces are dark brown with orange lines along the wing margins. The ventral hindwing has a striking pattern of white scales on the wing veins that contrast with the pale brown background. This butterfly is a member of the ''Skipper Butterfly Family''. The poweshiek skipperling butterfly is an endangered species in Canada. The host plant of the poweshiek skipperling is Common Spike - rush (Eleocharis palustris). Some of the poweshiek skipperling butterfly’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida), Stiff Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata), False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), Lance - leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), and Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris).

A Maritime Ringlet Butterfly resting on a Ornamental Grass.

Photo Credits: kmelville from iNaturalist

Maritime Ringlet (Coenonympha nipisiquit) : The maritime ringlet (coenonympha nipisiquit) is a small sized butterfly with a wingspan of 4 cm. This butterfly is dark appearing in which the males have dark orange brown wings with the central part of the forewing slightly paler orange brown. Females are a pale orange brown and they’re darker than the females of the common ringlet, but slightly paler than the males. On the underside the pale median band contrasts with the dark grey-brown ground colour. This butterfly is a member of the ''Brush - Footed Butterflies Family''. The maritime ringlet butterfly is an endangered butterfly species in Canada. The host plant for the maritime ringlet is Salt Meadow Cordgrass (Sporobolus pumilus). Some of the maritime ringlet’s favourite native flowering plants for nectar include Slender Glasswort (Salicornia europaea), Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor), Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum), Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida), Stiff Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata), False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), Lance - leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris), Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), and Canada Fleabane (Erigeron canadensis).

Reasons For Being Endangered 

There are many reasons as to why these butterfly species are endangered, and are near extinction.

Each butterfly species has different causes as to why they became endangered in Canada. Down below will explain the reasonings for each species. You will learn what the reasons are behind why each of these butterfly species are at risk, and the reasoning for each butterfly species is down below.

 The monarch is threatened by deforestation of wintering forests in Mexico, disruptions to their migration caused by climate change, the loss of habitat, the loss of native plants including milkweed, invasive species, and the use of glyphosate as well as other harmful chemicals.

 The frosted elfin is threatened by the loss of habitat, habitat fragmentation, the lack of their host plant wild lupine, increase in deer population, and climate change.

 The persius duskywing is threatened by poor habitat management, habitat change, the destruction of host plant populations, and fire suppression.

  The mottled duskywing is threatened by habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation caused by human development, the increase in deer population, invasive species, and spraying to control spongy moth populations.

 The early hairstreak is threatened by pesticide application to control spongy moths, agricultural and forestry effluents, and invasive species.

 The karner blue is threatened by habitat loss, the loss of North America’s oak savannah ecosystems, and the lack of their host plant wild lupine.

 The dakota skipper is threatened by the loss and degradation of it’s prairie habitat, pesticide use, the invasion of prairie alien plants, natural succession, agriculture development, and commercial development.

 The west virginia white is threatened by habitat fragmentation, forest fragmentation, forestry development, and the spread of the invasive species called garlic mustard.

 The taylor’s checkerspot is threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species.

 The bog elfin is threatened by climate change, habitat loss, pesticide use across much of their range, and the lack of bog habitats.

 The diana fritillary is threatened by forest management, logging operations, pest control, strip mining, and the use of pesticides and insecticides.

 The large marble is threatened by widespread habitat degradation, introduced predators, pesticide exposure, the effects of climate change, and inadequate regulation across it’s range.

 The arogos skipper is threatened by disturbed prairies and grasslands, habitat loss, habitat degradation, and insecticide applications targeting spongy month populations.

 The dukes’ skipper is threatened by loss of habitat, the lack of wetland habitats, and the use of pesticides and herbicides such as mosquito spraying and sprays to control the spongy moth populations.

 The eastern tailed blue is threatened by habitat loss, the lack of their host plant wild lupine, the use of pesticides and insecticides, mosquito spraying, spraying to control spongy moth populations, forest destruction, and the lack of sandy habitats.

 The ottoe skipper is threatened by the lack of mixed grass and sand prairie habitats, habitat loss, habitat destruction from off road vehicles, agricultural and silvicultural practices, over grazing, and invasive plants.

 The poweshiek skipperling is threatened by lack of prairie habitats, loss of habitat, habitat modification, lack of wetland habitats, invasive plant species that out compete with their host plants, the lack of native ornamental grasses, and the use of pesticides and insecticides.

 The maritime ringlet is threatened by habitat loss, climate change, sea level rise, increased storm frequency, the increase of urban development, the lack of their host plants, the lack of native plant habitat, invasive species, and the use of harmful chemicals such as pesticides and insecticides.

Ways To Attract & Support These Butterflies In The Yard

  Create a friendly habitat for the endangered butterflies.

 Avoid using pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides in the yard and garden because these chemicals are harmful towards our ecosystems, environment, all of the stages in the life cycle of these butterflies, and to other beneficial insects and butterflies.

 Add a host plant or two for the butterfly species depending on the space of your property. This will support the life cycle of the butterfly species. It will provide a place for the females to lay their eggs, and food for the caterpillars once they hatch.

 Add a variety of native flowering plants that these butterflies enjoy on your property. This will provide nectar for the mature adult butterflies.

 Provide shelter for the adult butterflies by planting native ornamental grasses such as Canada Wild Rye, Sideoats grama, Blue Grama Grass, Tufted Hairgrass, and Prairie Dropseed.

 Provide places for the adult butterflies to rest by planting native shrubs such as Red Osier Dogwood, Serviceberry, Ninebark, Zigzag Goldenrod, Purple Flowering Raspberry, Snowberry, and Nannyberry.

 Place several flat rocks all throughout the backyard especially in sunny locations. This will provide the adult butterflies a place to sun bask.

 Establish a ‘butterfly puddling’ area in your backyard. Select a shallow, flat dish or container and fill it with non-sterilized soil or sand. Incorporate a few flat rocks to serve as resting spots for the butterflies. Add water to the dish or container until the soil is moist but not flooded. Lastly, lightly sprinkle some sea salt on the surface. If you don’t have sea salt, regular salt will do. This setup will attract butterflies and provide them with essential minerals they need for survival. Remember to keep the soil moist and replenish the sea salt periodically.*

 Establish a ‘butterfly feeding’ area in your backyard. Select a shallow flat dish or plate like a plant saucer. Cut up pieces of fermented fruit such as oranges, peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe, grapefruit, pineapple, or strawberries. Place the fruit slices all around the floor of the flat and shallow item that you have chosen. Then place it up high in a location where the butterflies will spot it, and to keep the ants away. You will need to replace the fruit like twice or three times a day, because the fruit will be out in the hot sun throughout the day. When it becomes dusk or right before dusk bring in the butterfly feeding station, because to prevent unwanted visitors from coming by and to prevent airborne particles touching the fruit. Each morning you can bring out the butterfly feeding station. *

 Plant native flowering plants that bloom in the fall such as New England Aster, Smooth Blue Aster, Heart leaved Aster, Large leaved Aster, Canadian Goldenrod, Zigzag Goldenrod, Tall Ironweed, Rough Sunflower, and Spotted Bee Balm. These will provide sweet and rich nectar for the butterflies throughout the early fall into late fall, that will help them with receiving energy. The fall blooming flowering plants will also help the butterflies who migrate in the fall.

 In the fall leave a good layer of leaf litter in your garden(s) and a thin pile at the end of your fence. This will provide a winter home to the butterfly caterpillars that hibernate and overwinter as caterpillars.

 in the fall leave old logs, wood piles, and flat rocks that are big throughout your yard and especially in your garden(s). This will provide shelter and a winter home for the adult butterflies who overwinter and hibernate as adults, and for the butterfly caterpillars who hibernate and overwinter as caterpillars.

 In the fall leave the old plant material up in your garden until the following spring. This will provide a place for the butterflies who overwinter as their chrysalids, a place to hang and hide to blend in with their surroundings.

 Delay garden clean up until temperatures are above 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit). This is usually in late spring during the following year. This provide a home for all of the beneficial insects, butterflies, and caterpillars while the weather is cool and it will give them time to wake up.


️ Even though establishing a butterfly puddling area and a butterfly feeding station will provide nutrients, minerals, and proteins for the adult butterflies these ways are actually alternative options to provide for butterflies. The best way to support these butterflies is by planting their host plants, and favourite native flowering plants because this way will support the life cycle of these endangered butterflies as well as providing food for the adult butterflies. You can still offer butterflies a butterfly puddling area, and a butterfly feeding area in your backyard because they will enjoy it and not all butterflies drink nectar from flowers.