Ruddy Daggerwing Marpesia petreus

The name tells the story: daggerwing. This reddish butterfly sports distinctively pointed, dagger-like wing tips that look like they could slice through the air. Known as a vagrant and wanderer, it regularly strays far beyond its tropical home. While primarily found from Brazil through Central America and Mexico to southern Florida, these butterflies turn up in unexpected places—Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and southern Texas. During warm years, keep an eye out for these red-winged wanderers in places you'd never expect them.