Red Spotted Purple Butterfly
Facts about the red spotted purple butterfly: Habitat: A wide variety of forested habitats, sometimes ranging into parks, gardens and other open to semi-open habitats. Host plants: Black cherry, poplars and Aspen. When you can see it around: May to October.
Points of Interest: Tropical in appearance, the red-spotted purple ranks high among north American showiest butterflies. They are most common in extensive forested areas, and can be found in large numbers along forest roads in southern Ohio in spring. This species can be confused with the females of several of our dark swallowtail butterflies because of the brilliant blue on the dorsal hindwings, but red spotted purples lack eyespots and tails. It is thought that red-spotteds are Batesian mimics. They imitate the appearance of poisonous pipevine swallowtails to discourage potential predators. Fond of animal scat and rotten fruit, large numbers sometimes congregate at such food sources. the red spotted purple has two broods each year and passes the winter and larval stage. source Ohio DNR Wildlife Guide