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Red Spotted Purple Butterfly

Limenitis arthemis astyanax

Description:

Quiet butterfly feeding on sedum in my back garden, allowed 30 shots (very unusual for this type - they normally just flutter). http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/speci... Family Brushfoots, Nymphalidae Sub: Admirals, Limenitidinae Wingspan: 76 to 102mm (3 to 4 inch) Above: Dark Velvety bluish black with iridescent blue scaling on hindwing and small orange and white spots near forewing apex Below: Brownish black with an iridescent blue sheen and basal red orange spots; hindwings have a row of red / ornge spots toward the apex. Sex: similar Host plant: Black cherry, wild cherry and willow. Mimics toxic Pipevine Swallowtail to gain protection from predators. Likes rotten fruit, dung and tree sap.

Habitat:

Open woodland forest edges and open areas.

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3 Comments

KarenP
KarenP 12 years ago

Nice photos. Always a good day when you can capture good butterfly photos.

MickGrant
MickGrant 12 years ago

Thanks Alice - it is a beautiful buttterfly, some difficulty getting a good ventral shot!

alicelongmartin
alicelongmartin 12 years ago

Good picture, Good information!

MickGrant
Spotted by
MickGrant

Ripley, Ohio, USA

Spotted on Sep 9, 2011
Submitted on Sep 9, 2011

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