How long do butterflies and moths live?
A complete answer to this seemingly simple question is more complex than expected, as life span varies among species. Within a species, life span may also depend upon latitude, time of year, and even local weather conditions. Adult Life Span Marking studies suggest that winged adults of many (and perhaps most) species live only a week or two, and that the male tends to live a few days less than the female. However, in some species, the adult life span of some generations may be much longer. For example, in some species, adults that emerge in late summer or early fall hibernate overwinter in a sheltered spot. Also fall-hatched monarch butterflies migrate south in fall and northward in spring. Adults of these species may survive for 8-9 months or longer. Total Life Span Total life span includes time spent in the larval and pupal stages, as well as the adult stage. Each species description in Butterflies and Moths of North America includes the number of annual “flights” for that species.
