I most often find the red-spotted purple patrolling the edges
of forest clearings and perching on low branches or on the
ground. They seem particularly fond of the limestone
scalings of the Illinois Prairie Path. I'm thinking this is
one way they secure moisture or minerals. The Red-spotted
Purple is a mimic of the poisonous
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor), and hence gains
protection from predacious birds. It is thought the
red-spotted purple hybridizes with the white admiral
butterfly to produce partially banded offspring. Many
lepidopterists consider the two to be one species.
Life Cycle: Caterpillar is humped, cream-colored, with
dark-colored saddle. Two conspicuous brushlike bristles
behind the head. Willows, aspens, poplars, cherry,
hawthorns, apples and hornbeams are host plants. Habitat:
Woodlands, open forests, glades and clearings, roads, paths
and shorelines.
Butterflies have been revered by
mankind since before the dawn of recorded history. They are
among the most fascinating and beautiful animals; even
people who care not for insects in general usually have an
affection for these winged wonders. They live nearly
everywhere -- from gardens and forests and mountains to acid
bogs and frozen arctic tundra. Almost 700 of the world's 10
- 20,000 species live in North America north of Mexico. |
