Butterfly Identification

Buy or rent the download, save money and watch instantly. This title was formerly known as the Audubon Society VideoGuide to Butterflies Common and Endangered. Same great content, different title.

“Recommended pick. A delightful tour, with some extraordinary footage of the Monarch’s lifecycle.”
Christian Science Monitor

“Two videos in one, both of which could stand on their own merits! Common butterflies introduce the viewer to the wonders of butterfly watching. Fantastic video of the endangered species in the field is as close as most of us will ever come to seeing these rarities. Inspiring.” John Shuey, Ph.D., The Nature Conservancy

“Beautifully filmed, close up and distant shots capture butterflies in fields, gardens and other natural habitats. The fascinating endangered and threatened section introduces numerous endangered butterfly species, all captured in live action footage.” American Library Association Booklist

“Beautiful close-ups of 75 of North America’s most common and 21 rare, endangered and threatened butterflies in a 2 1/2 -hour, thorough narrative.” The Washington Post

“Pure catnip for lepidopterists. Combines informative narration, gorgeous footage, and area maps. A sure bet for nature enthusiasts that will help them to identify the many fascinating species across North America. Highly recommended.” Video Librarian

“Easily searchable, helps us connect to the natural world.” Sierra Club

“Gorgeously produced video offers lots of fine footage of beautiful butterflies. This program has greener appeal than previous ones.” Video Business

“Beautiful photography and lovely music. Invaluable for those who enjoy observing butterflies.”
Home Video Magazine

Poster-Bfly VGThere are 21 butterflies listed by the U.S. government as “endangered,” which means that they are in immediate danger of extinction. But you can see live video footage of 20 of these rare butterflies (plus four others that are listed as threatened or are candidates for listing) in their natural habitats in the Endangered section of the Audubon VideoGuide to Butterflies, and learn about their lifecycles, why they’re endangered, and their individual recovery plans.

The VideoGuide also contains beautiful live footage and informative information about scores of the common butterflies that are found in fields and gardens all across North America. With a section on the lifecycle of the Monarch butterfly, including footage from its overwintering home in Michoacan, Mexico.

From local butterflies that give so much pleasure to everyone, to the rarest of butterflies–few of which are ever seen by the general public, the VideoGuide is a beautiful and accessible way to learn about our environment and the natural world and appreciate these lovely animals. Written by Paul Opler, author of the Peterson Field Guides to Butterflies, and Jim Ebner, who traveled the country for many years to shoot the video footage of the endangered and threatened butterflies.

Available only as a download or stream, for purchase or rental.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Audubon Butterfly VideoGuide

Introduction to Common Butterflies
The Monarch’s Tale

Butterfly Families Swallowtails, Brushfoots, Whites and Sulphurs, Blues, Hairstreaks, Skippers

Common North American Butterflies
Very Large Tiger Swallowtails, Black Swallowtails, Milkweed Butterflies
Large Mourning Cloak, Admirals, Viceroy
Medium Ladies, Red Admiral, Buckeyes, Wood-Nymphs
Small Clouded Sulphur, Orange Sulphur, Cabbage White, Checkered Whites, Silver-spotted Skipper Tiny Crescents, Azures, Gray Hairstreak, Checkered Skippers, Common Sootywing, Tailed Blues

Common Regional Butterflies
Common Northern Great Spangled Fritillary, Aphrodite Fritillary, Compton Tortoise-shell, Gray Comma, Green Comma, Milbert’s Tortoiseshell, Silver Bordered Fritillary, Meadow Fritillary, Mustard White, Pine Elfin, Common Ringlet, Silvery Blue, Greenish Blue
Common Southern Pipe Vine Swallowtail, Queen, Gulf Fritillary, Zebra, Variegated Fritillary, Goatweed, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Great Purple Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Dainty Sulphur
Common Eastern Giant Swallowtail, Zebra Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail, Baltimore Checkerspot, Question Mark, Eastern Comma, Little Wood Satyr, Hackberry, Harvester, American Copper, Snout, Coral Hairstreak
Common Western California Sister, Eversmann’s Parnassian, Clodius Parnassian, Rocky Mountain Parnassian, Sierra Nevada Parnassian, California Tortoiseshell, Variable Checkerspot, Satyr Comma, Hoary Comma, California Dogface, Mormon Metalmark, Common Alpine, Acmon Blue, Boisduval’s Blue, Melissa Blue

Places You Can See Butterflies

Imported Butterflies

Introduction to Endangered Butterflies
Endangered Schaus Swallowtail, Callippe Silverspot, Behren’s Silverspot, Oregon Silverspot, Myrtle’s Silverspot, Quino Checkerspot, Cloudcroft Checkerspot, Bay Checkerspot, Taylor’s Checkerspot, Uncompahgre Fritillary. Mitchell’s Satyr, St. Francis Satyr, Lange’s Metalmark, Karner Blue, Lotis Blue, Mission Blue, Fender’s Blue, Palos Verde Blue, San Bruno Elfin, Pawnee Montane Skipper, El Segundo Blue, Smith’s Blue, Miami Blue, Laguna Mountain Skipper, Carson Wandering Skipper.

Extinct Strohbeeni’s Parnassian, Atossa Fritillary, Xerces Blue, and others.

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