An Annotated List of the Butterflies of Kansas

Abstract

This provisional list summarizes the information currently available on the distribution of the butterflies of Kansas. Presently, this information is widely scattered in the literature and numerous collections and is not readily available to many interested parties. The accompanying maps also demonstrate the many gaps in our present information and will hopefully stimulate further collecting and the production of a more complete list in the near future. This paper is based primarily on collections made by the authors during an intensive statewide survey begun in 1979. It is organized around the "county record," usually a voucher specimen housed at Fort Hays State University. These 4975 voucher specimens (1 specimen/species/county) are mapped as solid circles. Where FHSU voucher specimens are lacking we use literature records (usually, only the earliest) , reports from other collectors and specimens in public and private collections. Some 571 such records are mapped as open circles and each is cited in the text. Only one record per county is given except for rare and unusual species. However, additional records are on file at Fort Hays State University. Contributions by other collectors have greatly enhanced the value of this work.