2025 New Butterfly Species Observed in the Verde Valley
Each year, more and more butterfly enthusiasts are out in the field. Thanks to you, we continue adding new species to our List of Verde Valley Butterflies. If you observe and photograph a new species that is not listed, please send us an email, along with a photo to info@butterflyenthusiastsofnaz.org.
2025 New Species Observed
To learn more about the five new butterfly species observed in the Verde Valley, see the information below.
Large Orange Sulphur
The Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe) is a large butterfly in the Sulphur family, with a wingspan of 2 - 3". Their host plants are plants in the Pea family (Fabaceae spp.), such as feather bush and cassia. Click here for photos and more information about this species. The individual was observed at the Rockin' River Ranch State Park in Camp Verde.
'Desert' Pearly Marble
The 'Desert" Pearly Marble (Euchloe hyantis) is a small butterfly in the Whites family, with a wingspan of 1 1/8 - 1 3/8". Their host plants are plants in the Mustard family (Brassicaceae spp.), including tansy mustard and rock cress. Click here for photos and more information about this species. According to Jeffrey Glassberg's A Swift Guide to Butterflies of North America, "some consider the 'Desert' and 'California' populations as separate species". The individual was observed in a yard in West Sedona.
Dun Skipper
The Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris) is in the Skipper family, with a wingspan of 1". Their host plant is a grass called Bulb panicgrass (Zuloagaea bulbosa). Click here for photos and more information about this species. The individual was observed at Cave Springs Campground in Oak Creek Canyon.
Short-tailed Skipper
The Short-tailed Skipper (Zestusa dorus) is in the Skipper family, with a wingspan of 1 1/2 - 1 5/8". Their host plants are in the Oak family (Quercus spp.), such as gambel, emory and Arizona white oaks. Click here for photos and more information about this species. The individual was observed puddling near the creek at Cave Springs Campground in Oak Creek Canyon.
Apache Skipper
The Apache Skipper (Hesperia woodgatei) is in the Skipper family, with a wingspan of 1 - 1 1/2". Their host plants are in the Grass family (Poaceae spp.). Click here for photos and more information about this species. The individual was observed on the Woodchute Trail #102 on Mingus Mountain.