Where can I find butterflies and moths?

Butterflies and moths are found during the warmer months of the year in many different environments. In most places, May to August are the best months, and you will do well looking in sunny exposed places with low plants. Many national parks, wildlife refuges, or other wild places are usually rich in butterfly species. Your local city or county park may have planted a butterfly garden to attract butterflies in the summer or you may want to visit the nearest insect zoo or butterfly house where hundreds of living exotic insects and butterflies are on display.

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Some very excited boys displaying a Royal Walnut Moth (Citheronia regalis) they found.

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Close-up of the Royal Walnut Moth.

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If your question isn't answered on this site, you can submit a new question to our Lepidopteran expert Dr. Opler, who replies via e-mail at: pauloper(at)comcast.net. Please note: because Dr. Opler has recently "retired", he is frequently in the field working on butterfly research around the world. There will be a 1-2 week minimum delay in answering your questions.