Chasing the 112 Butterfly Species in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area

May, 2026
by Sean Tracy, class of 2015

Since becoming a member in 2015 of the Missouri Master Naturalist (MMN) Great Rivers chapter, I have volunteered my time primarily to eradicating invasives throughout the St. Louis area. However, in July 2018 and 2019, I participated in the annual butterfly surveys at Shaw Nature Reserve with the local chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). From that moment on, I became fascinated with butterflies.

Appalachian Brown (casual occurance: rarely seen on any given year)

My whole-hearted interest in butterflies, however, did not become a passion and full-time hobby until May 2020 during the early months of the COVID pandemic. With nothing to do as far as volunteering, I started walking local and state parks and conservation areas looking for the 112 butterfly species seen in the metro area. Eventually acquiring a powerful bridge camera and close focus binoculars, I longed for sunny days with temperatures above 60 degrees: the perfect weather for seeing butterflies.

Broad-winged Skipper (casual occurance)

As one who detested any season but the fall and winter for walking outside in the woods or glades due to tick and chigger bites, I now tuck my pants into my socks and spray myself with bug repellent looking for butterflies. Feeling temperatures falling below the 60s and winter on its way, brings a sense of melancholy knowing I must wait until spring to enjoy my hobby again (unless traveling to warmer climes allows me to see butterflies again in flight).

Ocola Skipper (casual occurance)

Ever since learning about iNaturalist from fellow MMN Great Rivers chapter member Michael Wohlstadter, I post all the species I see on my outings here in Missouri and throughout my travels in the United States and the world. So far, I have observed 99 of the butterfly species that historically have been seen in the metro area (some have been extirpated from this range). On my forays, I record the species and number of individual species to the local NABA chapter for their records. This in turn, may show increases or decreases of butterfly species seen over the course of decades.

Long-tailed Skipper (casual occurance)

Embracing citizen science as a Great Rivers naturalist, I know that I’m adding knowledge to the ever-changing natural world allowing others in the future to compare a once was world to what they are seeing in their present.

Leonard's Skipper (casual occurance)

If you are curious, peak at my iNaturalist observations here.