White Admiral

(Limenitis arthemis arthemis)

White Admiral sightings, by week (about)

White Admirals on scat, Douglas Co., WI, August 4, 2005.

White Admiral, White Admiral/Red-spotted Purple hybrid, and a Viceroy. Sandhill Wildlife Area, Wood Co., WI, July 21, 2005.

This a basically a dark butterfly with wide white bands through each wing, which makes it a very unique looking butterfly and one of the easiest butterflies to identify. This subspecies is mainly a northern butterfly, while the Red-spotted Purple is a southern species. Nevertheless, the White Admiral has been found as far south as Illinois. It is fairly common in central Wisconsin, but I was amazed to find it in abundance in Douglas County, far greater than I expected, with easily over one hundred seen in a single day. Most of these were seen getting nutrients on dung like the top photo on the right.

Identifying characteristics: Above, the White Admiral is black with wide, white stripes through the middle of both wings, red and blue submarginal spots, and a few white spots near the apex. Below, this butterfly is very similar to the upper surface, with the wide white band through the center of both wings being the most easily seen characteristic.

Similar species: None in Wisconsin.

Habitat: Forest edges and openings, and roadsides and trails through wooded areas.

Flight: Two broods. Late May through July and then late July into August.

Abundance: In the northern counties this species may become very common, and I have observed more than 100 of this subspecies in a single day.

Late White Admiral sightings, all years

Date seen	County	Reported by
09–05–2008	Wood	Greg Kolodziej
09–02–2007	Bayfield	Ryan Brady
09–01–2008	Bayfield	Ryan Brady
09–01–2006	Florence	Mike Reese

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White Admiral
Limenitis arthemis arthemis