Our Asheville Butterfly Trail pages are pupating. 🚧 Pardon our metamorphosis and email us if you have any questions!

Asheville Butterfly Trail

Ready to explore the trail? Learn about the stations you can visit today and the ones fluttering in soon!

Two butterfly stations are now open!

Visit the first two human-scale butterflies at the Asheville Visitor Center and Reems Creek Nursery. You can take a photo of yourself with the wings and view interpretive signage to help you learn about these beautiful native insects and their ingenious survival strategies.

Watch a video from WLOS about our official launch.

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

Bee City USA – Asheville will be installing butterfly stations throughout Buncombe County in 2024 and 2025. The trail will feature 15 or so gorgeous local butterflies and the plants they need as caterpillars.

Follow the Asheville Butterfly Trail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillary

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 growing 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?

    Most butterflies overwinter in their egg or pupae form, insulated by the leaves under trees and shrubs. 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, 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

Other Ways You Can Help

Become a Pollenteer

You can volunteer to help plan and plant native habitats, maintain existing gardens, teach about pollinators, help with events, and much more.

Connect with Us

Subscribe for our newsletter below and follow us on social media to learn more abut native pollinators and discover ways you can help and spread the word.

Certify Your Habitat

Join a group of dedicated pollinator guardians and let your neighbors know the fabulous fun you’re up to with Native Pollinator Garden Certification.