New Jersey Butterfly Club
A chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA)
NJ Butterflies
Identification and life history information for every species found in the state.
NJ Butterfly Sites
Information on where and when to look for butterflies in NJ.
Events
Upcoming meetings, field trips, and other events.
Announcements
Final details of September Cape May field trip announced: Our annual end of the year overnight field trip to Cape May will occur on September 23 and 24. Full details are available on our Field Trips page.
2 New Butterfly Guides: created by Mike Newlon have just been added to the Butterfly Identification and Information section of the Resources and Links page of our website. We now have a document showing the ventral views of grass skippers which complements (and is inspired by) the Skipper Tops document previously created by Sharon Wander. The second document is an ID guide to NJ Swallowtails. Please take a moment to view these excellent resources.
Our Next Meeting
- Topic: The Insect Epiphany: How Our Six-Legged Allies Shape Human Culture
- Presented By: Barrett Klein, Professor of Biology, University of Wisconsin
- Description: The New Jersey Butterfly Club is pleased to host entomologist and author Barrett Klein for a fascinating presentation on his new book, The Insect Epiphany. Blending science, history, art, and culture, Klein explores the many surprising ways insects have influenced human civilization far beyond their essential ecological roles. Through engaging stories and striking images, he offers a fresh perspective on the profound connections between insects and humanity.
- Date & Time: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.
- Important - Zoom only meetings begin one hour later than those at the Library. Since we are not meeting in person at the Library the pre-meeting dinner at Mangiano's is canceled for this month only. Also note that this is the third Tuesday of September
- Location: Via Zoom only
Full details are found on our Upcoming Events page.
Register Here if you plan to attend our September meeting via Zoom.
Our Next Field Trip
Cape May
- Overnight weekday trip 9/23 and 9/24
- Location: Various locations around the Cape
- Leaders: Jack Miller and other colleagues from the Cape area
This always-popular getaway to the Cape is the capstone to our butterfly season. Now that specific dates have been determined it would be wise to immediately arrange for lodging/camping. This is a chance to confer, consult, and otherwise hobnob with our friends from south Jersey.
We will meet at 9:00 on Wed. near the elevated hawk-watch platform at Cape May Point SP and walk the trails through the park. A few local butterfliers will be present to lead the group. Lunch will be at the pavilion overlooking the ocean at the park. The afternoon will be spent visiting the many public and private gardens in Cape May Point. Where we go on Thursday will be determined based on updates about good butterfly spots that we learn about on Wednesday. Teresa Knipper has once again offered to host a potluck dinner at her lovely house in Cape May on Wed. late afternoon/evening. Participants are responsible for lodging and all meals except for the potluck dinner. However, Teresa would welcome any contributions of food that you may wish to bring.
Concerning lodging, apparently rooms are available at the Cape May Point Arts and Science Center. These rooms are rather Spartan, have few amenities, and have shared bathrooms. The price is $125/night. The advantages are that the Center has a terrific pollinator garden in its courtyard and is also just a few steps from the state park. If interested, arrangements can be made at operations@cmpasc.org. Just mention that you are a member of the NJ Butterfly Club. If you have any questions, please contact Wade Wander at wec2293@gmail.com.
Special Note: Please email Wade Wander at wec2293@gmail.com if you are coming on this trip and more importantly if you plan to attend the evening festivities on September 23 at the home of our gracious host Teresa Knipper. All our friends and colleagues, both north and south, are encouraged to attend both the trip and the party on the 23rd.
Refer to our Complete List of Trips to see all our outings and information about how our trips are conducted. Check back often as details change as the season progresses. Please join us.
Butterflies You Might See This Month
It's a beautiful day - time to go butterflying. Wondering what you might see here in New Jersey this time of year?
Stories About Butterflies
Great Events in NJ Butterfly History: by Sharon and Wade Wander
The kick-off submission chronicles the amazing congregation of hairstreaks at the Whittingham Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Fredon Twp., Sussex County, on June 22, 2015. Read it here.
Butterflies in the News
12/15/25: From the Xerces Society: US Department of Interior Delays Monarch Butterfly Listing Under Endangered Species Act. Read about it here.
8/14/25: New study from Michigan State documents decline of midwestern butterfly popuations. Read it here.
Earlier Butterflies in the News articles on a variety of butterfly related subjects from various sources are available.
