New Jersey is currently home to about 110 regularly occurring species of butterflies (meaning that they either are resident in the state or are nonresidents seen at least once every 5 years). Of our resident butterflies, 28 species are listed as Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern (7 Endangered, 10 Threatened, and 11 Special Concern)—and five of those butterflies actually have not been seen here in many years. These species are in decline owing to a variety of causes including habitat loss and fragmentation due to development, loss of natural disturbance and successional processes, loss of native host plants to overbrowsing by deer and to replacement by invasive plant species, climate change, and in a few cases, collecting.   

Many of New Jersey’s butterflies can be seen by visiting open, flowery meadows on public lands such as National Recreation Areas; State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management Areas; county and municipally owned lands; and preserves managed by conservation organizations. Even better, by planting appropriate nectar plants and caterpillar food plants, you can attract butterflies right to your own yard.