Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages (Free PDF Printables)

By: Papaya Ink Team · Last updated: October 19, 2026

Butterflies and moths are the same order of insects wearing two different wardrobes. Butterflies fly by day, rest with their wings folded upright and carry thin antennae with a tiny club at the tip; most moths fly at dusk, rest with their wings spread flat and wear antennae like feathers or combs. These butterfly and moth coloring pages treat both with the same respect: every sheet is one real species, drawn as a field guide would draw it, with the name lettered underneath and the plant it actually depends on sitting beside it. Monarchs land on milkweed, swallowtails on the leaves their caterpillars eat, fritillaries on the flowers they visit at noon.

Click any sheet and the PDF opens in a new tab, ready to print on US Letter paper; it fits A4 as well. The line work is clean and single-weight, so it prints sharp on an ordinary home printer, and the wing patterns come out large enough to color without squinting.

Real wings are a lesson in restraint: most species use three or four colors and let the pattern do the work. Decide on the main wing color first, then fill the veins and borders in black last, so the dark lines stay crisp instead of bleeding. Orange, lemon yellow and a good black will carry you through most butterflies. For the moths, keep the whole sheet pale and soft, and let the eyespots be the only strong marks.

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Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - The most famous wings in North America, resting on a milkweed flower cluster - the only plant its caterpillars will eat. Fill the panels bright orange, the veins and borders black, and dot the margins white. — The most famous wings in North America, resting on a milkweed flower cluster – the only plant its caterpillars will eat. Fill the panels bright orange, the veins and borders black, and dot the margins white.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Maryland chose this checkerspot as its state insect because it wears the colors of the Baltimore family crest: black, orange and gold. Each cell of the checkerboard gets its own color, so take it slowly. — Maryland chose this checkerspot as its state insect because it wears the colors of the Baltimore family crest: black, orange and gold. Each cell of the checkerboard gets its own color, so take it slowly.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - A swallowtail hovering over Queen Anne's lace, where the female lays her eggs; the caterpillars also feast on parsley and dill in kitchen gardens. Black wings, a band of yellow spots and a wash of blue on the hindwings. — A swallowtail hovering over Queen Anne's lace, where the female lays her eggs; the caterpillars also feast on parsley and dill in kitchen gardens. Black wings, a band of yellow spots and a wash of blue on the hindwings.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Those big eyespots are not decoration: a bird that lunges at a staring eye gets a mouthful of wing and the buckeye escapes. Brown wings, orange bars on the forewing, and a touch of violet inside each eyespot. — Those big eyespots are not decoration: a bird that lunges at a staring eye gets a mouthful of wing and the buckeye escapes. Brown wings, orange bars on the forewing, and a touch of violet inside each eyespot.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Our largest butterfly - a big female spans the width of an open hand - gliding above citrus leaves. The wings are dark chocolate brown with a diagonal band of yellow spots; leave a little yellow on the tail tips too. — Our largest butterfly – a big female spans the width of an open hand – gliding above citrus leaves. The wings are dark chocolate brown with a diagonal band of yellow spots; leave a little yellow on the tail tips too.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Perched by a tulip tree blossom, one of the trees its caterpillars grow up on. Lemon yellow wings with black tiger stripes, then blue and a dab of orange along the hindwing edge. Detailed. — Perched by a tulip tree blossom, one of the trees its caterpillars grow up on. Lemon yellow wings with black tiger stripes, then blue and a dab of orange along the hindwing edge. Detailed.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Nectaring on a coneflower in full summer. The upper side is warm orange with black squiggles; the underside carries silver spangles that flash in sunlight, so a metallic pencil would not be cheating. — Nectaring on a coneflower in full summer. The upper side is warm orange with black squiggles; the underside carries silver spangles that flash in sunlight, so a metallic pencil would not be cheating.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Hot, almost red orange is the shade for this Gulf Coast visitor on a zinnia; its caterpillars live on passion vines. Add black-ringed spots to the forewings, and remember the silver patches that cover its underside. — Hot, almost red orange is the shade for this Gulf Coast visitor on a zinnia; its caterpillars live on passion vines. Add black-ringed spots to the forewings, and remember the silver patches that cover its underside.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Long, narrow, flame-orange wings built for cruising the edges of Florida woods, drawn beside the curling tendril of a passion vine. One flat shade of orange plus a thin black border is all this species needs. — Long, narrow, flame-orange wings built for cruising the edges of Florida woods, drawn beside the curling tendril of a passion vine. One flat shade of orange plus a thin black border is all this species needs.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - A moth rather than a butterfly: pale green wings, sweeping tails and feathered antennae. An adult luna has no working mouth and lives about a week, just long enough to find a mate. Mint green, with pink or brown along the leading edge. — A moth rather than a butterfly: pale green wings, sweeping tails and feathered antennae. An adult luna has no working mouth and lives about a week, just long enough to find a mate. Mint green, with pink or brown along the leading edge.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - This butterfly sleeps through winter as an adult and is often the first one flying over melting snow. Deep maroon wings, a row of blue spots and a cream-yellow border; it is basking on a bare branch to warm up. — This butterfly sleeps through winter as an adult and is often the first one flying over melting snow. Deep maroon wings, a row of blue spots and a cream-yellow border; it is basking on a bare branch to warm up.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Sitting on a thistle, the plant it was once named after, and found on nearly every continent - the most widespread butterfly on Earth. Salmon-orange wings with black tips and white spots. — Sitting on a thistle, the plant it was once named after, and found on nearly every continent – the most widespread butterfly on Earth. Salmon-orange wings with black tips and white spots.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Drinking from a trumpet-shaped bloom, this swallowtail is poisonous from its pipevine diet, and several other species copy its look. Forewings black, hindwings a glossy metallic blue; a shimmer pencil earns its keep here. — Drinking from a trumpet-shaped bloom, this swallowtail is poisonous from its pipevine diet, and several other species copy its look. Forewings black, hindwings a glossy metallic blue; a shimmer pencil earns its keep here.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Wings closed, it vanishes against bark - the ragged edges imitate a torn leaf, and a small silver curl on the underside gives the species its name. Rusty brown with darker mottling, and a hint of lilac along the margins. — Wings closed, it vanishes against bark – the ragged edges imitate a torn leaf, and a small silver curl on the underside gives the species its name. Rusty brown with darker mottling, and a hint of lilac along the margins.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Basking on a sun-warmed rock, which it does so readily that it will sometimes land on a person's sleeve. Velvet black wings cut by a bold red-orange band, with white spots near the tips. — Basking on a sun-warmed rock, which it does so readily that it will sometimes land on a person's sleeve. Velvet black wings cut by a bold red-orange band, with white spots near the tips.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Named for the spicebush its caterpillars shelter in, folded inside a leaf. The wings are black with a dusty blue-green glow across the hindwings and a line of pale cream spots along the edge. — Named for the spicebush its caterpillars shelter in, folded inside a leaf. The wings are black with a dusty blue-green glow across the hindwings and a line of pale cream spots along the edge.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Two tails on each hindwing instead of one, and the largest swallowtail in the American West - Arizona made it the state butterfly. Yellow wings with narrow black stripes, blue and orange crescents near the tails. — Two tails on each hindwing instead of one, and the largest swallowtail in the American West – Arizona made it the state butterfly. Yellow wings with narrow black stripes, blue and orange crescents near the tails.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - It copies the monarch so well that birds leave it alone, but the thin black line across each hindwing gives it away. Color it monarch-orange, then draw that extra line in firmly; its caterpillars grow on willow. — It copies the monarch so well that birds leave it alone, but the thin black line across each hindwing gives it away. Color it monarch-orange, then draw that extra line in firmly; its caterpillars grow on willow.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Florida's state butterfly, climbing a passion vine. Longwings eat pollen as well as nectar and can live for months, which is a long life for a butterfly. Black wings with cream-yellow stripes - easy to color. — Florida's state butterfly, climbing a passion vine. Longwings eat pollen as well as nectar and can live for months, which is a long life for a butterfly. Black wings with cream-yellow stripes – easy to color.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Pale wings striped in black, tails longer than any other swallowtail in the eastern states, and a small red spot at the base of each hindwing. It is standing on pawpaw leaves, the one tree its caterpillars accept. — Pale wings striped in black, tails longer than any other swallowtail in the eastern states, and a small red spot at the base of each hindwing. It is standing on pawpaw leaves, the one tree its caterpillars accept.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Small, quick and famously bad-tempered: a copper will chase much larger insects, even birds, out of its patch of meadow. Forewings burnished copper-orange with black spots, hindwings gray with an orange band along the edge. Its young feed on sheep sorrel. — Small, quick and famously bad-tempered: a copper will chase much larger insects, even birds, out of its patch of meadow. Forewings burnished copper-orange with black spots, hindwings gray with an orange band along the edge. Its young feed on sheep sorrel.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Probably the butterfly you have seen most often, and it arrived from Europe by ship well over a century ago. Creamy white wings, charcoal tips and black spots on the forewing, resting on a flower before the next cabbage patch. — Probably the butterfly you have seen most often, and it arrived from Europe by ship well over a century ago. Creamy white wings, charcoal tips and black spots on the forewing, resting on a flower before the next cabbage patch.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Each autumn these big lemon butterflies stream south along the coast in numbers that make people stop and point. The wings are pure yellow with no pattern at all; the long tongue reaches deep into tube-shaped flowers. — Each autumn these big lemon butterflies stream south along the coast in numbers that make people stop and point. The wings are pure yellow with no pattern at all; the long tongue reaches deep into tube-shaped flowers.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Skippers sit halfway between butterflies and moths: chunky furry bodies, hooked antennae and darting flight. Black and white checkerboard wings, with a blue-gray sheen on the body of the male. Keep the squares crisp. — Skippers sit halfway between butterflies and moths: chunky furry bodies, hooked antennae and darting flight. Black and white checkerboard wings, with a blue-gray sheen on the body of the male. Keep the squares crisp.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Lazy, bouncing flight through tall grass gives this one away before you see its wings. Soft brown all over, a broad patch of butter yellow on the forewing and two bold black eyespots inside it, resting on a grass blade. — Lazy, bouncing flight through tall grass gives this one away before you see its wings. Soft brown all over, a broad patch of butter yellow on the forewing and two bold black eyespots inside it, resting on a grass blade.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Hardly bigger than a thumbnail, with threadlike tails most people never notice. The male is lavender blue on top, the underside pale gray with black dots and two orange spots near the tails. Clover is where it lays its eggs. — Hardly bigger than a thumbnail, with threadlike tails most people never notice. The male is lavender blue on top, the underside pale gray with black dots and two orange spots near the tails. Clover is where it lays its eggs.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Thin tails and an orange spot at the hindwing corner build a fake head, and the butterfly rubs its wings together so the tails twitch like antennae. Birds strike the wrong end and it flies off. Dove gray with a thin white line. — Thin tails and an orange spot at the hindwing corner build a fake head, and the butterfly rubs its wings together so the tails twitch like antennae. Birds strike the wrong end and it flies off. Dove gray with a thin white line.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - The upper side flashes iridescent blue, the underside stays nearly black with red spots at the base of the wings and a bright orange abdomen. Mistletoe high in the trees is the only food its larvae take. — The upper side flashes iridescent blue, the underside stays nearly black with red spots at the base of the wings and a bright orange abdomen. Mistletoe high in the trees is the only food its larvae take.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Rarely at flowers: emperors drink tree sap, rotting fruit and the salt on a sweaty arm, and they will land on you to get it. Warm gray-brown wings, a row of eyespots and white flecks near the tips. Detailed. — Rarely at flowers: emperors drink tree sap, rotting fruit and the salt on a sweaty arm, and they will land on you to get it. Warm gray-brown wings, a row of eyespots and white flecks near the tips. Detailed.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - North America's only carnivorous butterfly: the caterpillar eats woolly aphids instead of leaves, hiding under their fluff. Burnt orange wings with wide dark brown borders, tiny for how unusual it is. — North America's only carnivorous butterfly: the caterpillar eats woolly aphids instead of leaves, hiding under their fluff. Burnt orange wings with wide dark brown borders, tiny for how unusual it is.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Imagine dappled light under oaks and a brown butterfly that bobs from shadow to shadow. Each wing carries a pair of black eyespots rimmed in yellow; keep the rest a soft warm brown, like the grass it grew up on. — Imagine dappled light under oaks and a brown butterfly that bobs from shadow to shadow. Each wing carries a pair of black eyespots rimmed in yellow; keep the rest a soft warm brown, like the grass it grew up on.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Drawn with its tails stretched to the very limit, which suits a species that trails them like streamers. The body and wing bases glow iridescent blue-green, the rest is brown with glassy white windows on the forewing. — Drawn with its tails stretched to the very limit, which suits a species that trails them like streamers. The body and wing bases glow iridescent blue-green, the rest is brown with glassy white windows on the forewing.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Underneath it looks like a tiny zebra: wavy bands of tan and white rippling across both wings, two eyespots at the hindwing corner. Perched on a pea blossom, the plant family its caterpillars prefer. Above, it is powder lilac. — Underneath it looks like a tiny zebra: wavy bands of tan and white rippling across both wings, two eyespots at the hindwing corner. Perched on a pea blossom, the plant family its caterpillars prefer. Above, it is powder lilac.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Farmers call it the alfalfa butterfly, because fields of alfalfa fill with hundreds of them in late summer. Orange-yellow wings with a black border; the underside shows a silver spot ringed in pink on the hindwing. — Farmers call it the alfalfa butterfly, because fields of alfalfa fill with hundreds of them in late summer. Orange-yellow wings with a black border; the underside shows a silver spot ringed in pink on the hindwing.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - A small orange butterfly with a web of black lines over its wings, named for a pearly crescent tucked into the underside margin. Asters feed its young, and it patrols sunny paths at knee height all summer. — A small orange butterfly with a web of black lines over its wings, named for a pearly crescent tucked into the underside margin. Asters feed its young, and it patrols sunny paths at knee height all summer.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - One red-orange band edged in white crosses both wings, with a blue spot and hair-thin tails at the corner. Strange diet: the caterpillars eat dead sumac leaves on the ground, not green ones. Gray with a pinch of blue. — One red-orange band edged in white crosses both wings, with a blue spot and hair-thin tails at the corner. Strange diet: the caterpillars eat dead sumac leaves on the ground, not green ones. Gray with a pinch of blue.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Fast enough to lose with your eyes, then suddenly still on a trumpet flower. Chocolate brown wings, a gold band across the forewing and a large silver-white patch on the underside of the hindwing. — Fast enough to lose with your eyes, then suddenly still on a trumpet flower. Chocolate brown wings, a gold band across the forewing and a large silver-white patch on the underside of the hindwing.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Spring's first blue in many northern meadows, shining like a chip of sky when the male opens up. Sheer pale blue above; underneath, silvery gray with a single neat row of black dots ringed in white. — Spring's first blue in many northern meadows, shining like a chip of sky when the male opens up. Sheer pale blue above; underneath, silvery gray with a single neat row of black dots ringed in white.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Named after a small black dash on the forewing that looks like a closed eye - though the butterfly itself is wide awake and restless. Bright orange with black borders; the underside turns yellow in summer and brick red in winter. — Named after a small black dash on the forewing that looks like a closed eye – though the butterfly itself is wide awake and restless. Bright orange with black borders; the underside turns yellow in summer and brick red in winter.

Look at the black border of the forewing and the yellow shape inside it: a poodle's head in profile, eye and all. Lemon yellow wings, black edges, and a slender body; the larvae live on prairie clover and false indigo.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - At dusk this sphinx buzzes between flowers so loudly that people swat at it, thinking it is a bee. Wings mottled in bark browns and tans, with a band of yellow on the hindwing; its caterpillars feed on grape leaves. — At dusk this sphinx buzzes between flowers so loudly that people swat at it, thinking it is a bee. Wings mottled in bark browns and tans, with a band of yellow on the hindwing; its caterpillars feed on grape leaves.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - A sphinx moth at rest folds its wings back like a paper dart, and this one wears pinkish tan with darker chocolate patches at the wingtips. The hidden hindwings are rose pink. Grapevines and Virginia creeper raise its young. — A sphinx moth at rest folds its wings back like a paper dart, and this one wears pinkish tan with darker chocolate patches at the wingtips. The hidden hindwings are rose pink. Grapevines and Virginia creeper raise its young.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - The largest moth native to North America, wider than an open hand, with a body banded in red and white. Rich brown wings, white crescents edged in red, a dusty rose band near the margin, and no mouth at all - adults never eat. — The largest moth native to North America, wider than an open hand, with a body banded in red and white. Rich brown wings, white crescents edged in red, a dusty rose band near the margin, and no mouth at all – adults never eat.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Barely the size of a fingernail, it rests in a perfect letter T with its wings rolled into feathered rods. Soft tan with cream markings, perched on the grape leaf its caterpillar will roll into a shelter. — Barely the size of a fingernail, it rests in a perfect letter T with its wings rolled into feathered rods. Soft tan with cream markings, perched on the grape leaf its caterpillar will roll into a shelter.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - It hovers at honeysuckle in full daylight, wings a blur, tongue uncurled into the flower, and gets mistaken for a tiny hummingbird every summer. Olive green back, burgundy belly band, and clear windows in the wings - leave those white. — It hovers at honeysuckle in full daylight, wings a blur, tongue uncurled into the flower, and gets mistaken for a tiny hummingbird every summer. Olive green back, burgundy belly band, and clear windows in the wings – leave those white.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Butter yellow wings freckled and patched with purple-brown, as if someone had spilled cocoa on them. Males carry more of the dark color than females. Its caterpillars grow fat on pine, oak and maple leaves. — Butter yellow wings freckled and patched with purple-brown, as if someone had spilled cocoa on them. Males carry more of the dark color than females. Its caterpillars grow fat on pine, oak and maple leaves.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Two enormous eyespots, each black-blue with a white spark in the center, snap open on the hindwings when a bird comes too close. Males are bright yellow, females reddish brown; either way, make the eyes the darkest thing on the sheet. — Two enormous eyespots, each black-blue with a white spark in the center, snap open on the hindwings when a bird comes too close. Males are bright yellow, females reddish brown; either way, make the eyes the darkest thing on the sheet.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Lemon yellow with a rusty red smear along the outer edge, sitting with its wings pitched like a tent over a budding twig. A small moth and one of the easiest to color: two shades and you are done. — Lemon yellow with a rusty red smear along the outer edge, sitting with its wings pitched like a tent over a budding twig. A small moth and one of the easiest to color: two shades and you are done.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Flies by day in spring, visiting apple and lilac blossom with a bee-like hum, two bright yellow bands across its dark abdomen and a flared brush of a tail. Keep the wings deep chocolate so the yellow stripes jump out. — Flies by day in spring, visiting apple and lilac blossom with a bee-like hum, two bright yellow bands across its dark abdomen and a flared brush of a tail. Keep the wings deep chocolate so the yellow stripes jump out.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Camouflage in olive and moss green with darker green patches and a few pink streaks, which makes sense for a moth that spends its days flat against a vine. Grape and Virginia creeper feed the caterpillar. Detailed. — Camouflage in olive and moss green with darker green patches and a few pink streaks, which makes sense for a moth that spends its days flat against a vine. Grape and Virginia creeper feed the caterpillar. Detailed.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Polyphemus was the one-eyed giant of Greek myth, and each hindwing carries a huge eyespot to match: yellow ring, blue-black shadow, clear center. Warm tan wings and an oak twig beneath, one of its favorite host trees. — Polyphemus was the one-eyed giant of Greek myth, and each hindwing carries a huge eyespot to match: yellow ring, blue-black shadow, clear center. Warm tan wings and an oak twig beneath, one of its favorite host trees.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - The cocoon hangs wrapped in a leaf on a bare branch all winter, swinging in the wind, and the moth comes out in early summer. Females are reddish brown with pale bands; males are so dark they look almost black. — The cocoon hangs wrapped in a leaf on a bare branch all winter, swinging in the wind, and the moth comes out in early summer. Females are reddish brown with pale bands; males are so dark they look almost black.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Gray-green wings crossed by orange veins and dotted with cream, on a big furry orange body. The caterpillar is a giant called the hickory horned devil, bristling with horns and completely harmless. Detailed. — Gray-green wings crossed by orange veins and dotted with cream, on a big furry orange body. The caterpillar is a giant called the hickory horned devil, bristling with horns and completely harmless. Detailed.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Pink and yellow like a scoop of sherbet, with a woolly cream body and fuzzy legs, resting on a maple leaf. One of the smallest silk moths and the one everybody photographs. Use the softest pink you own. — Pink and yellow like a scoop of sherbet, with a woolly cream body and fuzzy legs, resting on a maple leaf. One of the smallest silk moths and the one everybody photographs. Use the softest pink you own.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Dressed as a bumblebee: black and yellow bands on a plump body, transparent wings and a daytime habit of hovering at flowers. Even the tail fans out like a tiny brush. Color the body, leave the wing windows white. — Dressed as a bumblebee: black and yellow bands on a plump body, transparent wings and a daytime habit of hovering at flowers. Even the tail fans out like a tiny brush. Color the body, leave the wing windows white.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Rust orange wings with a pale cream triangle in each one and a thin wavy line near the edge, sitting on a tulip tree leaf, the tree its larvae love best. Keep the triangles clean and let the orange be deep. — Rust orange wings with a pale cream triangle in each one and a thin wavy line near the edge, sitting on a tulip tree leaf, the tree its larvae love best. Keep the triangles clean and let the orange be deep.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Greenish brown forewings with a darker band and a pale smudge in the middle, built for vanishing against the five-fingered leaves of the vine it is named for. Tint the hindwings yellow-orange where they show. — Greenish brown forewings with a darker band and a pale smudge in the middle, built for vanishing against the five-fingered leaves of the vine it is named for. Tint the hindwings yellow-orange where they show.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - A day-flying moth that looks like a wasp from a distance: metallic blue body, orange head, dark narrow wings held tight along its back, feathered antennae. It rests on grass because grass is what its caterpillars eat. — A day-flying moth that looks like a wasp from a distance: metallic blue body, orange head, dark narrow wings held tight along its back, feathered antennae. It rests on grass because grass is what its caterpillars eat.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Disturb the caterpillar and it whistles, forcing air out through its sides - one of the very few caterpillars known to make a sound. The adult is a study in brown, with scalloped hindwing edges and a pale spot on each forewing. — Disturb the caterpillar and it whistles, forcing air out through its sides – one of the very few caterpillars known to make a sound. The adult is a study in brown, with scalloped hindwing edges and a pale spot on each forewing.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - The sphinx most people meet, from Canada to Mexico, hovering at evening flowers. Brown forewings with a bold white stripe and white veins, pink bands on the hindwings, and a row of black and white dashes down the abdomen. — The sphinx most people meet, from Canada to Mexico, hovering at evening flowers. Brown forewings with a bold white stripe and white veins, pink bands on the hindwings, and a row of black and white dashes down the abdomen.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Most people take it for a beetle: the wings wrap tight around the body like a tube, bright orange with bands of white beads rimmed in black. A day visitor to flowers, shown here at a blossom cluster. Orange first, then the dots. — Most people take it for a beetle: the wings wrap tight around the body like a tube, bright orange with bands of white beads rimmed in black. A day visitor to flowers, shown here at a blossom cluster. Orange first, then the dots.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Only the male ever looks like this - sooty black, furry, with clear glassy wings and feathered antennae. He lives a day or two and never eats, while the female stays inside her bag of stitched twigs for her whole life. — Only the male ever looks like this – sooty black, furry, with clear glassy wings and feathered antennae. He lives a day or two and never eats, while the female stays inside her bag of stitched twigs for her whole life.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Its trick is to look like a bird dropping on top of a leaf, which is why it rests in plain sight. Satin white wings with a broad band of bark brown along the outer edge. Grapevines are home to its caterpillars. — Its trick is to look like a bird dropping on top of a leaf, which is why it rests in plain sight. Satin white wings with a broad band of bark brown along the outer edge. Grapevines are home to its caterpillars.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Cream forewings carry a dark brown dagger-shaped mark that meets down the middle when the wings close; the hindwings underneath are warm yellow-orange. Unlike most moths, it flies in daylight as happily as at night. — Cream forewings carry a dark brown dagger-shaped mark that meets down the middle when the wings close; the hindwings underneath are warm yellow-orange. Unlike most moths, it flies in daylight as happily as at night.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - By day it presses against bark and disappears under mottled gray forewings. Startle it and the hindwings flash open: black bands on deep pink, drawn here in full display. Save the brightest pink for those lower wings. — By day it presses against bark and disappears under mottled gray forewings. Startle it and the hindwings flash open: black bands on deep pink, drawn here in full display. Save the brightest pink for those lower wings.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Count the spots: two pale yellow on each forewing, two white on each hindwing, eight in all on velvet black wings. The legs wear tufts of bright orange fur, and the whole moth works flowers by day like a small butterfly. — Count the spots: two pale yellow on each forewing, two white on each hindwing, eight in all on velvet black wings. The legs wear tufts of bright orange fur, and the whole moth works flowers by day like a small butterfly.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - White wings printed with hollow black rings, and underneath, a body of metallic blue-black with orange markings. The caterpillar is a huge black woolly bear with red rings showing between its bristles. — White wings printed with hollow black rings, and underneath, a body of metallic blue-black with orange markings. The caterpillar is a huge black woolly bear with red rings showing between its bristles.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Pale green wings covered in black lace, so convincingly like lichen that you can lose it on a mossy trunk. Resting with wings tented over its back. Soft sage green under the lace, and go lightly - the pattern is the point. — Pale green wings covered in black lace, so convincingly like lichen that you can lose it on a mossy trunk. Resting with wings tented over its back. Soft sage green under the lace, and go lightly – the pattern is the point.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Cream stripes cross the dark forewings in a pattern that looks like the straps of a horse harness. The hindwings beneath are rose pink with black blotches; add a blush of pink along the abdomen as well. — Cream stripes cross the dark forewings in a pattern that looks like the straps of a horse harness. The hindwings beneath are rose pink with black blotches; add a blush of pink along the abdomen as well.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Here is what the famous banded woolly bear caterpillar grows into: a plain, tawny moth with a sprinkle of small black dots on the wings and a row of them down the abdomen. Warm yellow-orange, with no pattern to fuss over. — Here is what the famous banded woolly bear caterpillar grows into: a plain, tawny moth with a sprinkle of small black dots on the wings and a row of them down the abdomen. Warm yellow-orange, with no pattern to fuss over.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Wrapped in a fur coat: thick white tufts on the thorax, gray wings crossed by wavy white lines, everything fuzzy including the legs. It appears in autumn, often on apple trees. Shade the fur in grays and let the lines stay white. — Wrapped in a fur coat: thick white tufts on the thorax, gray wings crossed by wavy white lines, everything fuzzy including the legs. It appears in autumn, often on apple trees. Shade the fur in grays and let the lines stay white.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Small and oddly folded: at rest it lifts its wings into a steep tent with the tips flared, as if a tiny paper plane had landed on the twig. Pale brown with darker bands; the larvae feed on sumac. — Small and oddly folded: at rest it lifts its wings into a steep tent with the tips flared, as if a tiny paper plane had landed on the twig. Pale brown with darker bands; the larvae feed on sumac.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Zigzag bands of brown and tan run across both wings, matching tree bark so well that it spends the day spread flat on a trunk, unseen. A crescent-moon mark on the forewing gives it the name. Detailed. — Zigzag bands of brown and tan run across both wings, matching tree bark so well that it spends the day spread flat on a trunk, unseen. A crescent-moon mark on the forewing gives it the name. Detailed.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Rows of black-dotted white bands on orange-yellow forewings, and hindwings of pure pink that show in flight. Its caterpillars eat rattlebox seeds and store the toxin, so foul that spiders cut it loose from their webs. — Rows of black-dotted white bands on orange-yellow forewings, and hindwings of pure pink that show in flight. Its caterpillars eat rattlebox seeds and store the toxin, so foul that spiders cut it loose from their webs.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Another bird-dropping impostor, but with a satin shine on the white forewings and an olive-green border instead of brown. The hidden hindwings are yellow-orange edged in dark. Grapevines and evening primrose feed its young. — Another bird-dropping impostor, but with a satin shine on the white forewings and an olive-green border instead of brown. The hidden hindwings are yellow-orange edged in dark. Grapevines and evening primrose feed its young.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Purplish brown wings, each forewing crossed by one pink stripe and marked with a single white dot, on an oak twig because oak leaves are what the caterpillars eat. Keep the stripe thin and the brown rich. — Purplish brown wings, each forewing crossed by one pink stripe and marked with a single white dot, on an oak twig because oak leaves are what the caterpillars eat. Keep the stripe thin and the brown rich.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Metallic blue-black from head to tail, with white polka dots on the body and wings and a red-orange tip on the abdomen. A day flier that nobody mistakes for a moth; its larva is the orange oleander caterpillar. — Metallic blue-black from head to tail, with white polka dots on the body and wings and a red-orange tip on the abdomen. A day flier that nobody mistakes for a moth; its larva is the orange oleander caterpillar.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Glass-clear wings with dark veins on a body of brilliant scarlet, finished with a black brush at the tail. A Florida native built to look stinging, though it cannot sting at all. Leave the wings white and color only the veins. — Glass-clear wings with dark veins on a body of brilliant scarlet, finished with a black brush at the tail. A Florida native built to look stinging, though it cannot sting at all. Leave the wings white and color only the veins.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Dressed in pink and maroon with patches of cream and black, like a scrap of old brocade. Its larvae live on spider lilies and amaryllis. A rare chance to use magenta on a moth, so use it. — Dressed in pink and maroon with patches of cream and black, like a scrap of old brocade. Its larvae live on spider lilies and amaryllis. A rare chance to use magenta on a moth, so use it.

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - Black forewings with a cream lattice, and hindwings of pink to yellow with black spots that flash when the moth is disturbed. It rests with wings tented like a roof. Both wing pairs are open here, so you get the full show. — Black forewings with a cream lattice, and hindwings of pink to yellow with black spots that flash when the moth is disturbed. It rests with wings tented like a roof. Both wing pairs are open here, so you get the full show.

Fun Things to Make with These Coloring Pages

Field guide booklet – color a stack of sheets, trim the margins, punch two holes along the left edge and tie them with twine. Write where and when you saw each species on the back of its page.
Window butterflies – color a sheet with markers, cut out the butterfly, rub the back lightly with vegetable oil on a cotton ball, and tape it to a sunny window; the paper turns translucent and glows.
Symmetry test – color only the left wing, fold the sheet down the middle and try to match the right wing from memory. Real wings are mirror images, so the result shows how closely you looked.
Night sky background – color a moth in its pale shades first, then wash the rest of the sheet with dark blue or black watercolor. Wax pencil resists the paint, so the moth stays clean and seems to glow.
Mobile – cut out several colored butterflies, glue each one back to back on a second copy, and hang them from a hoop with clear thread at different heights so they turn in the air.
Life-cycle poster – glue a colored butterfly in the corner of a large sheet and draw its egg, caterpillar and chrysalis around it; the host plant named in the caption gives you the backdrop.
Pressed-flower pages – press the host plant mentioned for a species, like a sprig of dill or a violet leaf, and glue it next to the colored insect for a small nature study.
Shadow box – color a sheet, cut out the butterfly and bend the wings up slightly along the body, then pin it inside a shallow frame against a plain card background, the way old specimen cases were arranged.

More Coloring Pages

Amphibian Coloring Pages - The red-eyed tree frog is the star of every rainforest poster. By day it sleeps flat on a leaf, lids shut, so a bird sees only green; disturbed, it flashes that red stare and escapes. Leaf-green body, blue and cream flanks, orange feet.

78 pages78 B&WAmphibianColoring Pages

Reptile Coloring Pages - Australia's most popular export, at least among lizards. The spiky beard under the chin puffs up and turns black when a bearded dragon is annoyed, so leave it pale to keep him calm. Sandy tan with an orange wash, rock in warm gray.

79 pages79 B&WReptileColoring Pages

Insect Coloring Pages - A honey bee makes roughly a twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her whole life, so this flower gets her full attention. Amber abdomen with dark brown bands, and a pale fuzzy collar of hair around the thorax.

78 pages78 B&WInsectColoring Pages

Beetle Coloring Pages - Among the longest beetles alive, a big male Hercules can stretch close to seven inches, and much of that is horn. The olive wing covers turn almost black when the air gets humid. Detailed - spotted shell and rough bark.

80 pages80 B&WBeetleColoring Pages

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