Red-Spotted Purple

Description:

The Red-spotted Purple is a polytypic species of North American brush-footed butterfly. L. a. astyanax has red spots on its underside and the top of the wings are notable for their iridescent blue markings. Both sexes of this species are identical except that the females are slightly larger than the males. The underside of the wings is a blackish color with a broad white postmedian band. The basal area of both wings contains many red spots. The submarginal area may contain a row of red spots and the marginal area having bluish spots.

Habitat:

Common throughout much of the eastern United States, typically found in open woodlands and along forest edge. Found in the wooded area of the Carolina Tiger Rescue sanctuary.