.ted3020

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I was lucky to get this photo as it took two minutes to get my camera. When I returned it was still there. It remained motionless for over 5 minutes, then left the area. Thanks for the identification Greg. The Red-spotted Purple is a mimic of the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor), and hence gains protection from predacious birds. It is thought the red-spotted purple hybridizes with the white admiral butterfly to produce partially banded offspring. Many lepidopterists consider the two to be one species