Michigan is one of two states that has not designated an official state insect. Legislators have been conflicted for several previous sessions over which species of butterfly should be selected to represent the state.
Democratic representative Julie Brixie is the sponsor of a bill that would designate the black swallowtail as Michigan’s state butterfly. She says her constituents lobbied her to select it because it can be found in all 83 of the state’s counties.
“the black swallowtail is a full time resident of Michigan, and it never leaves for warmer climates. It doesn't migrate”
A competing proposal would tap the monarch butterfly to represent the state.