Red-Spotted Purple Butterfly

The Red-Spotted Purple, although lacking a hindwing tail, mimics the toxic Pipevine Swallowtail to gain protection from would-be predators. It is a common butterfly of immature woodlands but is rarely encountered in large numbers. Adults have a strong, gliding flight and are often quite wary. Males perch on sunlit branches along trails or forest borders and make periodic exploratory flights. Adults occasionally visit flowers but often prefer rotting fruit, dung, carrion or tree sap.