Red-spotted Purple

Deciduous or mixed forests, forest edges, suburban yards, and gardens across the eastern United States.

Adults primarily feed on sap, rotting fruit, carrion, and animal dung; larvae feed on leaves of trees like cherry, birch, and willow.

Diurnal; known for its gliding flight pattern and habit of resting on low-hanging branches or the ground. It is a Batesian mimic of the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail.

Harmless to humans; serves as an important pollinator and a food source for birds and larger predatory insects.