Where’s Wildlife · Butterfly Field Guide
Limenitis arthemis
Pronounced (approx.): lim-eh-NY-tiss AR-theh-miss
Shimmering blue wings make this woodland butterfly striking from above or below.
Select the photograph to browse all 5 field photographs.
NATIVE TO NORTH AMERICA
Look for blue or blue-green iridescence on dark wings and red-orange markings underneath. Unlike the Pipevine Swallowtail it resembles, it lacks hindwing tails. [1]
Explore these 5 field photographs. Select any image to open the gallery.
Females place eggs on leaf tips. Caterpillars resemble bird droppings. Late-season larvae overwinter in rolled leaves secured to twigs with silk. [1]
These small leaf tubes remain on the tree through winter. Caterpillars emerge when fresh foliage returns in spring. Adults often visit woodland trails and damp ground. [1]
Explore reported Red-spotted Purple sightings. Observation records show where people have documented butterflies and are not a complete range map.
[1] Alabama Butterfly Atlas — Red-spotted Purple
Identification, habitat, host plants, feeding, and life history.