Been trying to get a macro photo of a flutterby all summer. Finally got it!
This is the White Admiral. Typically black with a white band on the on the top, and a couple of orange dots on the bottom of the wings. Interestingly it is the unofficial insect of Quebec. A red spotted, purple variation is more common in the United States. This variation will appear mostly black. There is however an identical subspecies that resides in the South-west United States. Only because this sub species occurs so far from the standard population is it classified as such. These flutterbys mimic the toxic Pipevine Swallowtail flutterby.
Male White Admirals can usually be found perched 3 feet off the ground, looking over his territory, making sure no intruders enter. I found this one perched about 3 feet off the ground on our evergreen huckleberry bush. These flutterbys sustain themselves by drinking liquid from rotting carcasses, tree sap, animal poop, and rotting flowers.
Look for these in mixed forest and/or deciduous forest.
