11 butterflies were recorded flying in Alaska in May in our iNaturalist sample; 1 of the top 50 are at their peak this month. The list is ranked by number of research-grade observations.
Top butterflies in May
Milbert's Tortoiseshell
Margined White
Mourning Cloak
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
Green Comma
Satyr Comma
Painted Lady
Hoary Comma
Red Admiral
Brown Elfin
Western Tailed-blue
All butterflies flying in Alaska in May
| # | Species | Scientific name | Family | Obs. | Peak in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milbert's Tortoiseshell | Aglais milberti | Brush-footed Butterflies | 115 | May (peak) |
| 2 | Margined White | Pieris marginalis | Whites, Yellows, and Sulphurs | 66 | Jun (rising) |
| 3 | Mourning Cloak | Nymphalis antiopa | Brush-footed Butterflies | 53 | Aug (rising) |
| 4 | Canadian Tiger Swallowtail | Papilio canadensis | Swallowtails and Parnassians | 47 | Jun (rising) |
| 5 | Green Comma | Polygonia faunus | Brush-footed Butterflies | 21 | Aug (rising) |
| 6 | Satyr Comma | Polygonia satyrus | Brush-footed Butterflies | 5 | Aug (rising) |
| 7 | Painted Lady | Vanessa cardui | Brush-footed Butterflies | 3 | Jun (rising) |
| 8 | Hoary Comma | Polygonia gracilis | Brush-footed Butterflies | 2 | Aug (rising) |
| 9 | Red Admiral | Vanessa atalanta | Brush-footed Butterflies | 1 | Sep (rising) |
| 10 | Brown Elfin | Callophrys augustinus | Gossamer-winged Butterflies | 1 | Jun (rising) |
| 11 | Western Tailed-blue | Everes amyntula | Gossamer-winged Butterflies | 1 | Jun (rising) |