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Red-spotted Purple and White Admiral
Coloration, Forms and Size
The Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis) butterfly is black with blue or blue-screen scaling. It features orange or red marks on the tips of the wings.
At first glance, it appears to be a swallowtail. But it has no tails! It does mimic the distasteful Pipevine Swallowtail.
The size of the Red-spotted Purple is typically in the 3.0" - 3.5" range. It normally produces 2-3 broods per year.
Its relative the White Admiral has a bright, wide white band that traverses both the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the wing.
The White Admiral form is found in the northern forests while the Red-Spotted Purple form is usually found further south.
Distribution and Habitat
The Red-spotted Purple butterfly is normally seen in the Eastern United States, from the Gulf Coast to southern Canada.
It is not an abundant species, and is most often seen in woodlands and along streams and marsh land. It often lands high in trees, but will drop to ground level to feed and sip at mud puddles and stream banks.
The White Admiral lives on the far north side of the continent, ranging from New England and southern Great Lakes area into parts of Canada.
Nectar and Host Plants
Host plants used by the Red-Spotted Purple include cottonwood, wild cherry, willows, aspens, poplars, black oaks, hawthorn and other trees.
It gathers nectar from a variety of flowers, but prefers tree samp, rotting fruit, dung and carrion.
Life Cycle Stages and Times
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Photos of Red-spotted Purple Butterflies
Red-spotted Purple Butterfly (dorsal view)
Red-spotted Purple Butterfly (ventral view) |
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Red-spotted Purple Butterfly
Red-spotted Purple Butterfly ... a regular visitor to our hummingbird feeder!
Photos of White Admiral Butterflies
White Admiral Butterfly (dorsal view)
White Admiral Butterfly ventrall view)
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| Red-spotted Purple Charlotte, Michigan (Photo by Elli, August 9, 2022  |