Description
The Red-spotted Admiral (Limenitis arthemis) is a striking butterfly with dark black wings, iridescent blue bands, and vivid red-orange spots on the lower hindwings, commonly found in wooded areas and along watercourses in North America, with two distinct forms: the red-spotted purple and the white admiral. This page is for the Red-spotted Purple form.
Range
It is found throughout the state with white admiral in the northern third, and red-spotted purple in the southern two-thirds.
Similar Species
Dark swallowtails but RSP has no tails. It’s a mimic of Pipevine Swallowtail, but that species is an extremely rare stray in Minnesota.
Host Plants
Trees and shrubs including: Wild Cherry (Prunus serotina), Aspen (Populus tremuloides), Willow (Salix spp.), Birch (Betula spp.), Cottonwood (Populus spp.), Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), Oak (Quercus spp.)
Flight
Overwinters in chrysalis, and can emerge as early as May and can fly until August.