White Admiral Butterfly Facts
Common names for white admiral butterflies are Western white admiral and red-spotted purple butterfly.
White admiral butterflies, also most commonly called red-spotted purple butterflies, inhabit the shady broadleaf parts of woodland forests throughout the United States, especially on the East Coast. The two butterflies may vary so much in appearance that they were once considered two separate species. White admirals prefer the parts of the woodlands that are open, like the edge of the forest or clearings. Red-spotted purples are typically found further south in moist forests and on coastal plains.
The name white admiral originated from England, where it was first discovered and given the name because of it beautiful white coloring.
White admiral butterflies, also most commonly called red-spotted purple butterflies, inhabit the shady broadleaf parts of woodland forests throughout the United States, especially on the East Coast. The two butterflies may vary so much in appearance that they were once considered two separate species. White admirals prefer the parts of the woodlands that are open, like the edge of the forest or clearings. Red-spotted purples are typically found further south in moist forests and on coastal plains.
The name white admiral originated from England, where it was first discovered and given the name because of it beautiful white coloring.
White Admiral Butterfly Features
The White Admiral is actually a black a butterfly with white bands running through each wing. Flight for this butterfly is effortless and only uses a few effortless wing beat to move around. It can be found all along the east coast, as well as any of the states bordering Canada.
Red-Spotted Purple Butterfly Features
The physical appearance is a lot like the name. It is dark with red spots on the outer ends of its wings. Red-spotted butterflies are commonly found in wooded suburban areas. Wingspan for adults ranges from three to three and a half inches making it effortless to fly around at a fast rate.
White Admiral Butterfly Life Cycle
Eggs laid by admiral butterflies, of both whites and red-spotted purples, are whitish to pale green when first laid, and later change to gray. White admiral butterflies can be found across the United States, though they are prevalent on the East Coast where the species reproduces.
Eggs are laid on honeysuckle leaves one at a time, resembling a strand dangling from a tree or shrub. Oftentimes eggs are laid in the shade where the sun cannot reach them and predators cannot find them. Only a small percentage of admiral eggs survive due to the various grazing animals such as deer and rabbits that will feed on them while grazing in the forest.
Once hatched, the larvae eat honeysuckle and leaves. Like most butterflies, the white admiral must gain mass before making a cocoon to metamorphosis. It takes a great deal of the organism’s energy to transform into the final stage of the life cycle, otherwise known as the adult admiral butterfly.
White Admiral Butterfly Diet
The main sources of food for white admiral butterflies and red-spotted purples are the exact plants where their eggs are hatched. Other food sources these butterflies consider are shrubs, cherries, and leaves. Honeysuckle plants located in shady parts of a forest and within a few meters of the ride of glade edge are their preferred food source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did white admiral butterflies come from?
White admirals originated in England where they were discovered and eventually named after their visually stimulating appearance. They then spread to North America, then across the country to the West Coast, and eventually throughout Canada.
Are the white admiral butterfly and red-spotted butterfly the same?
Once considered two different species, the white admiral and the red-spotted purple, as of 1986, are considered to be the same. The two butterflies began interbreeding and successfully created hybrids that were healthy and fertile, and exist as one type of butterfly.