It’s no secret that Colorado is home to a wide range of wildlife – from the massive moose and bison to tiny critters that often go unnoticed. One of those tiny animals happens to be the state’s insect – the Colorado hairstreak. Highly-recognizable and known for its beauty, it’s probably a butterfly you’ve seen before.

According to the Butterfly Pavilion, the Colorado hairstreak (hypaurotis crysalus) became the state insect in 1996 after the passage of Colorado Senate Bill 96-122. At the time, there was a bit of debate over what the state insect should be with the honeybee being a top contender. Thanks to a serious effort by fourth-grade classes around the state, however, the Colorado hairstreak butterfly ultimately won out.

A fitting representative of the mountainous landscape the state is known for, this montane butterfly species is typically found at elevations between 6,500 and 9,000 feet above sea level. Their easy-to-spot iridescent wings of purples, blues, and blacks make the Colorado hairstreak stand out, and a closer look reveals an orange spot that can be seen when their wings are open or closed.

While the Colorado hairstreak’s wingspan is less than an inch and a half at its largest, per the Butterfly Pavilion, they’re known to be quite territorial and will defend their space from their own.

The easiest time of the year to spot the Colorado hairstreak is between July and August, with the species often found in oak groves. It’s also worth noting that while some butterfly species travel, the Butterfly Pavilion says this species tends to stay within a few yards of its hatching space throughout its entire life.

Want to learn more about the Colorado hairstreak and many more of the state’s insects? Check out the Butterfly Pavilion – it’s one of the top tourist attractions in the Denver area, located in Westminster and with a 4.7-star rating on Google. Learn more about planning a visit here.

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