I spotted this beautiful Red-spotted Purple butterfly (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) last Friday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. When I first saw it flying around, I thought it might be one of the many dark swallowtail species that we have in our area. When the butterfly finally landed, however, I could see that it had no “tails,” not because it was damaged, but simply because it is not a swallowtail butterfly.
The name of this species has always confused me a bit. When I look at the image below I can see some red spots, but for the life of me I don’t see anything that looks purple. Nonetheless, I love the varying shades of blue on the butterfly’s body and the little red accents.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Amazingly beautiful
Beautiful, Mike!
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I f’ing know why I had this thought, but that looks like a great color for a sports car.
A sports car? Why not? Maybe it’s time for a mid-life crisis. 🙂 I read somewhere that the average age of owners of Corvettes and Harley Davidsons skews high, in part because of the cost of the “toys” and a sense of deferred gratification.
I’ve never seen one before. Very pretty!
Thanks. It is always exciting for me to be introduced something new in nature, whether it is in person or through the photos of another person.
Oh my God! Nature is so beautiful…. Simply gorgeous!!
Thanks. This is are so many beautiful things to see in nature, but quite often I have to slow down in order to find them.
Yeah I completely agree with you…. Nature is beautiful!! One need to be at a royal pace in life to observe it closely…. You are lucky Mike 🌼🌱💛
Beautiful subject photographed – well – beautifully!
We are located at the southern limit of its range in Florida and have been fortunate to find a couple this summer. Sightings are uncommon in our area.
I’m with you on why it’s called “purple”? Perhaps in some light the iridescence can look purple?
All I know is they are gorgeous.
Thanks, Wally. So often the species that we find do not overlap, so it is nice to see one that we have in common. 🙂
Beautiful but agree about the name! Should be red spotted Blue!
Who knows where the common names come from? Perhaps from a certain angle or in certain light the blue has a purplish tint.
It’s gorgeous! A great capture, Mike.
Thanks, Eliza.
Nice find.
Thanks, Sherry.