Where to Find Butterflies in the LRGV

The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) isn’t just a hotbed of unique birds for the United States, but for butterflies (and other critters) as well!  Just as birders flock to the Valley in hopes of seeing lifers and rarities, the same holds true for butterfly watchers who come in search of Mexican butterflies that reach the northern limits of their range here in south Texas, but also in hopes of that rare stray that may wander across the border!

Good butterflying is possible any time of year in the Valley, but normally the best time is October and November, with January and February generally being the poorest.  This year the butterflying was particularly good in July, after we had gotten significant rainfall in June.  Relatively large numbers of otherwise rare species (like Banded Peacock and Polydamus Swallowtail) were showing up, and no less than three Erato Heliconians (normally a mega-rarity) showed up simultaneously at different locations!  Even now in mid-August (with 100-degree temperatures and no rain to speak of), good butterflies are still showing up.

Banded Peacock, Bentsen Rio Grande SP

Polydamus Swallowtail, Estero Llano Grande SP

Erato Heliconian, Bentsen Rio Grande SP

There are many excellent places to look for butterflies, my favorite being the National Butterfly Center (NBC) in Mission:  the gardens and native habitats are extensive, and the new “experimental gardens” in the “back yard” of the visitor center are attracting some great butterflies!  Just recently we found Zilpa and White-striped Longtails, Coyote Cloudywing, Mangrove Buckeye, Dingy Purplewing, Many-banded Daggerwing, and Guatemalan Cracker among the more common Mexican Bluewings, Tawny Emperors, and ever-present Queens and large sulphurs! 

Coyote Cloudywing, NBC

Dingy Purplewing, NBC

Guatemalan Cracker, NBC

Zilpa Longtail, NBC

Large Orange Sulphur, Falcon SP

Many-banded Daggerwing, NBC

Mexican Bluewing, NBC

Queen, Edinburg Scenic Wetlands

Tawny Emperor, NBC

Tropical Buckeye, NBC

White-striped Longtail, NBC

Nearby Bentsen Rio Grande State Park also has extensive butterfly gardens, not only near the visitor’s center but also at the Nature Center and near Kingfisher Overlook.  Over the years Bentsen has hosted many rarities including Four-eyed Sailor, Ornythion Swallowtail, and Common Banner.  Rare hairstreaks have included White and Yojoa Scrub, Marius, Strophius, and even a super-rare Aquamarine!  Many butterfliers will check out the plantings along Bentsen Palm Drive near Retama Village; on one visit with friends we found a rare Ruddy Hairstreak!

Common Banner, Bentsen SP

Four-eyed Sailor, Bentsen SP

Marius Hairstreak, Bentsen SP

Ornythion Swallowtail, Bentsen

Ruddy Hairstreak, Bentsen Palm Drive

White Scrub Hairstreak, Bentsen SP

If you want to head out to Starr County looking for Red-billed Pigeon and White-collared Seedeater, the butterfly garden at Falcon State Park is worth checking:  some butterflies that prefer a drier climate may be easier to find here, like Nysa Roadside Skipper and Desert Checkered Skipper.  Although they could potentially show up anywhere, I’ve had several “one and onlies” at this garden, including Curve-winged Metalmark, Lacey’s Scrub-Hairstreak, and Green-backed Rubyeye.

Desert Checkered Skipper, Falcon SP

Green-backed Rubyeye, Falcon SP

Nysa Roadside Skipper, Falcon SP

The coastal areas host a handful of species not normally seen inland:  Resaca de la Palma State Park is famous for its Blue Metalmarks, Band-celled Sisters, Orange-barred Sulphurs, and Boisduval’s Yellows!  The Xami Hairstreak favors low-lying succulents that can be found along Old Port Isabel Road and Boca Chica Boulevard, and the Sabal Palm Sanctuary also has a butterfly garden where you might find Double-dotted and Obscure Skippers.  Definite Patch has been found at the Palo Alto State Historic Site, and the gardens near the visitor center at Laguna Atascosa can also have Blue Metalmarks, along with more widespread species.

Band-celled Sister, Bentsen SP

Blue Metalmark, Resaca de la Palma SP

Boisduval's Yellow, Resaca de la Palma SP

Double-dotted Skipper, Sabal Palm Sanctuary

Obscure Skipper, South Padre Island

Orange-barred Sulphur, Resaca de la Palma SP

Other good butterfly spots that I enjoy frequenting include the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse, where I once had an Erato Heliconian, but also more expected specialties like Julia Heliconian and Cyna Blue.  Further north, Edinburg Scenic Wetlands is a great little place with extensive gardens and can be a good place to find the knock-out Guava Skipper.  In Weslaco, both Estero Llano Grande State Park and Frontera Audubon Thicket have excellent butterfly gardens; rarities that have shown up at Estero include Mexican Silverspot and Dark Kite Swallowtail.  Frontera is famous for being a rare bird trap, but strays such as Tailed Aguna and the uncommon Teleus Longtail have shown up here.

Cyna Blue, Old Hidalgo Pumphouse

Guava Skipper, Estero Llano Grande SP

Julia Heliconian, Old Hidalgo Pumphouse

Mexican Silverspot, Estero Llano Grande SP

Tailed Aguna, Frontera Audubon Thicket

Some of the other birding hotspots are also good for butters, but require a little more walking; these areas include Santa Ana NWR and the Yturrias Tract of the Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR (although I would encourage taking a buddy if exploring this area, as it is remote). The garden at 101 South 7th Place is part of Alamo Inn B&B Gears and Tours; it has 107 species of butterflies and counting, including specialties such as Polydamas Swallowtail and Theona Checkerspot.  We even had a super-rare Orion Cecropia show up!

Theona Checkerspot, Falcon SP

Wherever you choose to search for butterflies, never forget to appreciate even the common, widespread, and beautiful lepidoptera that call the LRGV their home!