Red-spotted purple

Iridescent blue-black with red-orange spots, the red-spotted purple is a mimic of the poisonous pipevine swallowtail, borrowing its warning colors for protection. In the north it blends into the white admiral form, which wears a broad white band.

A butterfly of woodland edges and openings, it prefers sap, fruit, and moist ground to flowers.

Caterpillars, bird-dropping mimics, feed on wild cherry, willow, and poplar and overwinter rolled in a leaf.