Colorado's State Symbols: The State Insect

The Colorado General Assembly designated the Blue Hairstreak Butterfly, Hypaurotis cysalus, as the State Insect in 1996.  The two-inch-wide, black, orange and purply-blue butterfly is generally found at elevations between 6,500 and 7,500 feet.  To learn more about Colorado butterflies, see the Colorado State University Extension publication Attracting Butterflies to the Garden.