Red wing stripes? It’s got to be a Red Admiral butterfly.

Seen on trails and paths during the summertime, this speedster is another butterfly that I rarely see on flowers.  So if they don’t consume nectar, what other sources of nutrition do they depend upon?

Their ventral (underside) wing colors and patterns are spectacular! Actually, if you look closely, you can also see sky blues on the dorsal (upper) wing.

They will appear without notice while you are working in your garden. Presto they’re there and speeding from one spot to another, then whooost! The red admiral zooms off to its next appointment.

They never overextend their stay.

Jeffrey