Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Red-spotted Purple Admiral
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Image Credit: Arch Baker
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Image Credit: Alex -icycatelf- Bowen
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Image Credit: Kittie P.taken in KS
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Image Credit: Kittie P.taken in KS
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Image Credit: Kittie P.taken in KS
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Image Credit: Tim G. from PA
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Image Credit: Kittie P.taken in KS
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Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
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Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
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Image Credit: Kittie P. taken in KS
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Image Credit: Kristen N. from Dexter, MI
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Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
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Image Credit: Arch Baker
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Image Credit: Laurel M., taken in Sapulpa, OK
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Image Credit: Teal W. from IA
The large size and iridescent blue on the bottom of its wings are just similar enough for the Red-spotted Purple Admiral butterfly to be considered undesirable among predators.
Though the Red-spotted Purple Admiral lacks the tails of the Pipevine Swallowtail, it resembles it enough in size and coloring to benefit from mimicking it. The Pipevine Swallowtail deters predators from eating it by tasting awful. Though some Pipevines are killed in teaching animals this lesson, many others are spared once animals learn to avoid them. The Red-spotted Purple Admiral may see predator avoidance because it looks so much like the distasteful Pipevine Swallowtail. Research shows that it sometimes breeds with Viceroy butterflies.
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* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Red-spotted Purple Admiral may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Red-spotted Purple Admiral. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Colors: blue; black; purple; orange; red; white; yellow 
