Ruby-spotted Swallowtail Heraclides anchisiades
(c) Paulo Nogueira, some rights reserved (CC BY)
OrderButterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera)
FamilySwallowtails and Parnassians (Papilionidae)
GenusNew World Giant Swallowtails and Allies (Heraclides)
This massive wanderer travels from southern Texas all the way to Argentina—and occasionally shows up even further north than its normal range. What makes them really special is their striking ruby-red spots that light up against their dark wings. These restless travelers seem to explore beyond their usual haunts, with rare individuals turning up in Kansas and Arizona where they definitely don't belong.
Think you can identify this one in the wild?
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