Some of the most interesting and beautiful insects in nature are butterflies, and there are over 20,000 species of butterflies in the world, among them are dark red butterflies with their colors, patterns, and shapes, which are truly amazing.
In this post, we will talk about dark red butterflies, 16 butterfly species with red markings, their identification, habitats, life cycle, and behavior. You will acquire fascinating information regarding these stunning kinds of butterflies with red markings.
Also Read: Yellow Butterflies: Exploring their unique characteristics
16 Butterfly Species of Dark Red Butterflies
#1. Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
Red Admiral butterflies are one of the most common dark red butterflies that exist.
Common name: Red Admiral
Scientific name: Vanessa atalanta
Geographic distribution: The Red Admiral butterfly is found in cold areas in many places, including North Africa, North and Central America, Europe, East Asia Hawaii Caribbean, New Zealand
Physical characteristics
Wingspan: about 2 inches (5 cm)
Color: The top side of the wings is mostly black, but there is a bright red band on the back wings and a similar, but smaller, red patch on the front wings.
There are also white spots on the front wings.
Markings: The back of the wings is a muted color with brown and gray spots that help it blend in.
Habitat and behavior
- Red Admirals are flexible butterflies found in several places, such as marshes, woods, fields, and gardens.
- They move to warmer places in the winter, which is something they are known for doing. They are busy during the day, drinking nectar from flowers. Nettles are food for caterpillars.
#2. Scarlet Mormon Butterfly
Common name: Scarlet Mormon or Red Mormon
Scientific name: Papilio rumanzovia
Geographic distribution:
The Philippines is where you can mostly find the Scarlet Mormon. There have been a few sightings in southern Taiwan, suggesting that it might sometimes go outside its normal area.
Physical characteristics
Wingspan: about 4.7 to 5.5 inches (120 to 140 mm)
Color: There is clear sexual differentiation.
Males: usually have a mostly black backside with some light marks.
Females: The top and bottom of their wings are bright red, which is how they got the popular name “Scarlet Mormon.”
Markings: The females’ red markings are the most noticeable trait, while the males’ markings are less noticeable.
There may be other markings or spots, but the red color is the most noticeable.
#3. Peacock Butterfly
Common name: Peacock Butterfly
Scientific name: Aglais io
Geographic distribution
The Peacock Butterfly lives mostly in Europe and cold Asia, all the way to Japan in the east.
Physical characteristics
Length of wings: Usually between 5.5 and 6.5 cm (2.2 to 2.6 inches).
Color: The top side of the wings is a deep orange-brown.
Markings: The big, blue-ringed “eyespots” on each wing of this butterfly are what make it stand out.
They look like peacock eyes, which is how the name came about. It has been discovered that these eyespots keep predators away.
#4. Small Tortoiseshell
- Common name: Small Tortoiseshell
- Scientific name: Aglais urticae
Geographic distribution
This butterfly is common in most of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Its name comes from its shell shape. It’s especially common in places with mild weather.
Physical characteristics
Wingspan: Usually between 4.7 and 5.6 centimeters (1.9 to 2.2 inches) long.
Color: The top of the wings is bright orange with black and yellow spots. There is a row of blue spots that make the tips of the wings stand out.
Markings: The back of the wings is a lighter color, which helps the butterfly blend in when it is not flying.
Behavior: It is known for its territorial behavior, especially when it comes to the males protecting their territory.
They often engage in aerial displays and chases. They may also hibernate during the winter and come out in early spring.
#5. Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)
- Common name: Red-spotted Purple
- Scientific name: Limenitis arthemis astyanax
Geographic distribution
Mostly widespread in the eastern United States and parts of Canada, the Red-spotted Purple It is very common in residential gardens and woodland settings.
Physical features
Wingspan: From 2.5 to 3.5 inches (6.4 to 8.9 cm).
The wing upperside is mostly dark blue to black with iridescent blue reflections.
Markings: The butterfly gets its common name from the unique red dots on the underside of the hind wings.
The females are bigger and feature more noticeable white bands on their wings than the males.
Behavior: Known for their nimble flight and ability to resemble the look and behavior of the venomous Pipevine Swallowtail, a protection strategy against predators,
They are found frequently patrolling open spaces and around forest borders.
#6. White Admiral (Limenitis camilla)
- Common name: White Admiral
- Scientific name: Limenitis camilla
Geographic distribution
You can find the White Admiral most of the time in Europe, from the British Isles to Russia. Its natural environment is usually in wooded places.
Physical characteristics
Wingspan: The wingspan is about 5 to 6 cm (2 to 2 1/2 inches).
Color patterns: The top side of the wings is mostly dark brown to black, and there is a white band that stands out across the front of the wings.
A similar white line can be seen on the back wings, which often have a blue or purple sheen to them.
Markings: The underside of the wings is a mottled brown with small, detailed designs that help the butterfly blend in when it is not moving.
Behavior: The White Admiral is known for being able to fly quickly and easily.
It can often be seen flying through clearings in the woods, where it feeds on flower juice.
#7. Red Lacewing (Cethosia cydippe)
- Common name: Red Lacewing
- Scientific name: Cethosia cydippe
Geographic distribution
You can mostly find the Red Lacewing in places like Australia and New Guinea Islands
Physical characteristics
Wings: about 3.1 inches (8 cm)
Color: The top of the wings is a bright scarlet red color with thick black lines. A white spot runs across the front of the wings.
Markings: The back of the wings is orange with white spots that look like dots and lines of black spots that are outlined in white.
Behavior: The red lacewing’s flight is known for being quick and unpredictable, which makes it hard to catch.
They are often seen moving quickly between flowers to get nectar.
#8. Scarlet Peacock (Anartia jatrophae)
- Common name: White Peacock or Masote
- Scientific name: Anartia jatrophae
Geographic distribution
The Scarlet Peacock lives in many places in the Americas, such as
Southeast North America and South America,
Characteristics
Wingspan: About 38 to 50 mm, or 1.5 to 2 inches
Color patterns: The black and white spots on the top of the wings give it its name, “Scarlet Peacock.” On the bottom, the color is less bright, with shades of brown and gray.
Markings: The butterfly gets its name from the white spots on the top of its wings, which make them stand out.
The forewings have these white spots that stand out more.
Behavior: Scarlet Peacocks are known for flying quickly and in strange ways. These birds like to be out in the open, in places like fields and parks, where they can get nectar from flowers.
There is some misunderstanding about the difference between the common names “Scarlet Peacock” and “White Peacock.” A species that is very similar to Anartia jatrophae is called “Scarlet Peacock,” while “White Peacock” is the name most people use for it.
#9. Crimson Rose (Pachliopta hector)
- Common name: Crimson Rose
- Scientific name: Pachliopta hector
Geographic distribution
India and Sri Lanka are where you can find the Crimson Rose butterfly the most. People have also seen this species along the coast of western Myanmar.
Characteristics
Spread: The Crimson Rose butterfly has a spread of about 90 to 110 millimeters, which is pretty big.
Colors: This butterfly is famous for the way its colors look together. Its wings are mostly black, but there are two large white bands on the front of them. It gets its popular name from the series of bright red spots on its hindwings that make it stand out.
Markings: The Crimson Rose has white bands and red patches on its wings, and on its hindwings, there is an extension that looks like a tail, which is common in swallowtail butterflies.
Behavior: You can often see these butterflies traveling together to flowers in sand dunes.
When they are close to the ground, their flight is slow and fluttery, but when they get higher, it gets faster and stronger.
They have also been seen lying in the sun with their wings spread out, sometimes in groups.
#10. Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia)
- Common name: Zebra Longwing or Zebra Heliconian
- Scientific name: Heliconius charithonia
Geographic distribution
You will mostly find the Zebra Longwing in the United States, southern Texas, and the peninsula of Florida
During the summer months, it sometimes moves north into other American states.
Physical characteristics
Color patterns: The wingspan is about 2.75 to 4 inches (7 to 10 cm).
Patterns of color: The top of the wings has a striking pattern of strong, narrow yellow stripes that look like zebra stripes.
The backside looks the same, but it’s paler and has a few small red spots close to the body.
Identification marks: The black and yellow lines on the wings make it easy to spot.
Behavior: Its flight is known for being slow and elegant. It lives a long time and defends its territory, which is different from many butterflies. It also roosts in groups to keep itself safe.
#11. Silver-Spotted Flambeau (Agraulis vanillae)
- Common name: Silver-Spotted Flambeau
- Scientific name: Agraulis vanillae
Geographic distribution
You can mostly find the Silver-Spotted Flambeau in the warm and subtropical parts of the Americas. From Mexico to Argentina in the south, and the islands in the Caribbean.
Physical characteristics
Wingspan: Usually between 2.3 and 3.7 inches (60 to 95 mm) long.
Color: The top of the wings is bright orange with black lines and marks. The butterfly gets its popular name from the silver spots on the underside of its wings, which are a calmer shade of brown.
Description: The silver spots on the underside of the wings are the most obvious markings, as we already said. The orange color stands out very clearly against the black lines and edges on the top.
Behavior: The Silver-Spotted Flambeau is often seen in open, sunny places. Its flight is known for being quick and unpredictable.
They are good flyers and can be found at different heights, up to 2500 meters.
#12. Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
- Common name: Coral Hairstreak
- Scientific name: Satyrium titus
Geographic distribution
Most of the Coral Hairstreak’s range is in North America, from the eastern United States to eastern Canada.
Physical characteristics
Wingspan: The wingspan is pretty small, usually about 1 inch (25 mm).
Colors: The top side of the wings is mostly brown with some light spots. The backside stands out more because it has a gray-brown base and a bright orange band running along the edge of the hindwing.
Markings There are small white dots inside the orange band on the bottom of the hindwings, which makes them look stunning.
Behavior: The way Coral Hairstreaks fly is known for being quick and unpredictable. It’s hard to see them because they like to sit on tree roots or branches.
Most of the time, males are more active than females.
#13. Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Common name: Variegated Fritillary
- Scientific name: Euptoieta claudia
Geographic distribution
The Variegated Fritillary butterfly lives in both North and South America. In its home area, it can be found in southern Canada, the US, Mexico, and Central America.
Physical Characteristics
Wings: Usually between 1.75 and 3.25 inches (4.5 to 8.3 cm).
Color: The top of the wings is a bright orange color with dark black lines and spots. There is often a pale peach line in the middle.
On the backside, the colors are less bright and are mottled brown and orange. There are no silver spots like on other fritillaries.
Markings: The wings have black spots near the edges, and the back wing has a small curved edge.
Behavior: Variegated Fritillaries are known for flying quickly and in a way that is hard to predict. They often lie in the sun with their wings open to show off their bright colors.
#14. Atala Butterfly (Eumaeus atala)
- Common name: Atala Butterfly or Coontie Hairstreak
- Scientific name: Eumaeus atala
Geographic distribution
In the United States, the Atala butterfly is mostly found in southeastern Florida. It lives in the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, and Cuba as well.
Physical Characteristics
Wing: About 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5.1 cm) across the wings.
Color: The Atala is known for having bright colors.
Males have black wings with green spots and patches that sparkle.
The base of the females’ wings have blue iridescence.
Markings: On the bottom of their hindwings, both male and female Atala butterflies have a large red-orange spot and three rows of irregular gold spots that sparkle.
Behavior: The Atala butterfly is pretty small and delicate. Coonties are its host plants, and you can often see it flying around near them.
They are most busy during the day, when they feed on nectar from different flowers.
#15. Postman Butterfly (Heliconius melpomene)
- Common name: Postman Butterfly, Common Postman
- Scientific name: Heliconius melpomene
Geographic distribution
The Postman Butterfly is native to Central and South America. It is widely dispersed throughout the region, living in a variety of tropical and subtropical environments.
Physical characteristics.
Wingspan: About 35-39 millimeters.
Patterns: The Postman Butterfly is known for its vibrant coloring. It usually has a black background with red or yellow stripes on the forewings. This bright pattern exemplifies aposematism, warning predators that it is unpalatable.
Markings: While the upperside is dominated by red or yellow bands, the underside of the hindwings frequently features faint markings that help the butterfly blend in when it is at rest.
Behavior: Unlike many butterflies, which only feed on nectar, the Postman Butterfly is known to forage for pollen, a behavior more frequent in bees and other insects.
This distinct eating pattern is connected to a longer lifetime than other butterfly species. Furthermore, they are territorial and frequently engage in hostile interactions with other butterflies, especially those of the same or similar species.
#16. Red Glider (Neptis harita)
- Common name: Red Glider
- Scientific name: Neptis harita
Geographic distribution
The Red Glider lives largely in India and Sri Lanka. It is a common butterfly in these areas.
Physical characteristics
Wingspan: The wingspan is around 60-70 mm.
Color: The upperside is mostly brown with a reddish-orange stripe along the outer margin. This band is more visible in males. The underside is more muted, with brown and grey patterns for camouflage.
Markings: The reddish-orange band on the upperside is the most distinguishing feature. There may be more spots or lines on both the upper and lower surfaces, but they are less noticeable.
Behavior: Red Gliders are commonly seen in forests and wooded places. They have a glider flight. Hence the common name.
They are frequently observed in bunches, particularly near water areas.
Conclusion on: Dark Red Butterflies: 16 Butterfly Species with Red Markings
In conclusion, the 16 species of dark red butterflies discussed in this article show how beautiful and varied these insects are. From the well-known Red Admiral to the stunning Red Lacewing, each species has its own unique physical characteristics, habitats, and behaviors
Each species of dark red butterflies has its own host plants, life stages, and ways of migrating. Different species have different conservation statuses.
Some dark red butterflies are in danger because of things like ecosystem loss and pesticide use. We can protect these amazing animals and the ecosystems they live in for the long run if we all work together.