Limenitis arthemis arthemis

Limenitis arthemis arthemis on a sweaty sock.

comments (16)

Christine Young

Lion

Just curious, but could this possibly be Limenitis arthemis rubrofasciata? The red band along the margin looks pretty thick. Posted 6 years ago
1. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  It seems there is a lot of confusion in IDing subspecies/forms like this one. The large amount of orange makes me think you might be right?
  
  BugGuide says:
  "Not all specimens in this region will fit neatly into one or another species, but will be intermediate in character. Blends with subspecies astyanax southward on Prairies (and, if eastern populations are the same, blends with subspecies arthemis southward in Great Lakes region and east through New England).
  
  In the West (mostly in Canada and Alaska), specimens tend to have orange spots on the hind wing above, more extensive orange below, and are called Western White Admirals (Limentis arthemis subspecies rubrofasciata):
  
  Northeastern populations (mostly in Canada and mountain populations in ne. U.S.) may be very similar, but a name isn't agreed on yet (are they the same as rubrofasciata; or, should they have their own name?):
  
  In the northeast U.S. and a little in southeast Canada is found the "typical" White Admiral (Limentis arthemis subspecies arthemis) - basically black and white with lots of blue, darker and less orange below, with little or no orange above: " Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
2. 1. Gary B
    
    Lion
    
    I do think I'm right based on Bug Guide and others but NE Minnesota is probably in a zone where these two ssp. have a chance of intergrading. BAMONA https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/541255 shows a dot for Limenitis arthemis rubrofasciata near Winnipeg, Manitoba but that specimen looks suspiciously like mine from Sullivan Lake north of Two Harbors, MN. The distance between the two sightings is about 300 miles. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
      
      Lion
      
      Gotcha! Thanks for clarifying! Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        It would be great if there were specimens from northwest Minnesota and I'm sure there are in some museum. Maybe I'll get a chance to be up there in this year or some other year. I really want to get back there anyway because of the fantastic lichen flora. I found three sites with the basidiolichen Lichenomphalia but couldn't spend much time taking photos because of my work schedule. I GPSed them, though. Posted 6 years ago
      2. Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        Oh my! That is one on my bucketlist as well! Do you know what particular species is up your way? Or does it need further investigation? I hope you get to see it soon! Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
        
        Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        I could post my blurry picture. It isn't too badly out of focus and you can see the algal partner. Also, so many interesting liverworts up there and not enough time to concentrate on getting good photos. I did get some decent photos of lichens. The two pelt lichens I spent time with because there is a rare one we are supposed to be looking for named Peltigera venosa. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        I would love to see those photos. And no worries if the picture quality is not perfect here. If they have some educational value then post away! I know many of us have already posted rough shots! Posted 6 years ago
        
        Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        I've posted a few rough ones myself from my cellphone and my DSLR. So, I'll dig around for it and hopefully get it posted this evening. But for now I'm heading outdoors. The sun is shining and it isn't snowing. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        I found them. The fresh air and walk helped. So here they are:
        
        Posted 6 years ago
      3. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Interesting! Oh, and just an fyi - I wasn't questioning your ID, but was just curious how to tell them apart because there is so much variation. I take any tips that I can get ;) Posted 6 years ago
      4. Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        Don't worry. I wasn't taking it that way. I appreciate being questioned. Keeps me from getting complacent. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Okay, good...But, I'm glad you appreciate it. I do as well. I'd rather have a correct ID - even if it means being called out on an error! Posted 6 years ago
3. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  The band is thick but not entirely continuous as in ssp. rubrofasciata. Also, this would be far out of range for that subspecies although it is far enough north for there to be intergrading populations. Compare this one at Bug Guide https://bugguide.net/node/view/39917 which is considered ssp anthemis with my photo. Posted 6 years ago
4. 1. Flown Kimmerling
    
    Lion
    
    That makes sense. Intermediates can make things very tricky! Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Definitely tricky. Subspecies and hybrids can be hard to discern. Posted 6 years ago

The Red-spotted purple

"Limenitis arthemis," the red-spotted purple or white admiral, is a North American butterfly species in the cosmopolitan genus "Limenitis". It has been studied for its evolution of mimicry, and for the several stable hybrid wing patterns within this nominal species; it is one of the most dramatic examples of hybridization between non-mimetic and mimetic populations.

Info 33 0

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by Gary B