Are You Ready to Explore the Asheville Butterfly Trail?

Everything you need is right here: directions with each butterfly, a downloadable Passport to check off which butterflies you visited, a downloadable coloring book, and a downloadable Trail map.

Take a photo of yourself with the wings and view interpretive signage to learn about these beautiful native insects and their ingenious survival strategies.

Be sure to tag @beecityasheville and #avlbutterflytrail when you share photos and videos!

Watch a video from WLOS about our official launch.

Listen to an interview with WNCW about the Trail:

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillary
Common Buckeye

Common Buckeye
Summer Azure

Summer Azure
Red-Spotted Purple

Red-Spotted Purple
Monarch - Coming Soon

Monarch - Coming Soon
Red Admiral - Coming Soon

Red Admiral - Coming Soon
Pipevine Swallowtail - Coming Soon

Pipevine Swallowtail - Coming Soon
Question Mark - Coming Soon

Question Mark - Coming Soon

Download the Trail Map, Passport, and Coloring Book Here

Want To Sponsor a Trail Station?

Bee City USA – Asheville continues installing butterfly stations throughout Buncombe County untill we reach our goal of at least 10 stations. Five-year sponsorships start at $5,000.

Inquire About Sponsorship

Test Your Butterfly Knowledge!

  • Where did the name “butterfly” come from?

    One popular theory is that the term arose because butterflies were thought to steal milk and butter. Another theory suggests that the name might have come from the butter-yellow color of some butterflies.

  • Do caterpillars look like their butterflies?

    Nope! Caterpillars are masters of camouflage. They have colors and patterns that help them blend in with their host plants and avoid predators.

  • Do butterflies continue growing?

    No, butterflies do not grow once they have reached their adult form. Most species live just a few days to weeks as adults. One notable exception? Monarchs in the migratory generation live 8-9 months.

  • Do all caterpillars have the same number of legs?

    Yes! All caterpillars, like all insects, have 6 true legs on their thorax. But caterpillars also have a varying number of “prolegs,” fleshy appendages that help them climb and grasp.

  • How do butterflies survive winter?

    Butterflies may overwinter in their egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, or adult form depending on their species. A few migrate to warmer climates.

Acknowledgements

The Asheville Butterfly Trail is made possible by the generous donations of the Friends of the Asheville Butterfly Trail and the support of our station sponsors and hosts, which you can learn about on each butterfly page.

We’re also grateful for the following contributions and assistance:

  • Management by Bee City USA-Asheville's Butterfly Trail Team: Ruth Gonzalez, Paula Caicedo, Virginia Currie, Renee Caldwell, Nina Veteto, Cathy Davenport, April Boone and Phyllis Stiles, with early assistance from Emily Leonard, Jordan Diamond, and Barbara Anuzis.

  • High-resolution photos of butterfly wings by Dr. Matt Bertone, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, NC State University

  • Coloring book pages by Nina Veteto, Blue Ridge Botanic

Other Ways You Can Help

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