How long do butterflies live?

This question depends on the butterfly in question. Most butterflies live for only a few weeks but there are exceptions.

Some butterflies like Milbert's Tortoiseshell and the Mourning Cloak (called the Camberwell Beauty by the British) hibernate as adults. They can live for nine or ten months as a result.

Some of the longwing or heleconid butterflies from South and Central America can live for six months or so.

Of course, when you think of how long a butterfly lives you must think of the time spent in the egg, caterpillar and chrysalis. In the cold arctic some caterpillars can take 2 years or more to grow into an adult butterfly.