Are red admiral butterflies active in mid January in North Texas?

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   JimTxMillerposted 11 years ago

   Are red admiral butterflies active in mid January in North Texas?
   
   At least one was since I saw it in my back yard in Wichita Falls this afternoon (Jan. 17). Is this usual or unusual behavior for this species?
   
   

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   Jule Romansposted 11 years ago

   According to Butterflies and Moths of North America, the Red Admiral winters from October to March in South Texas.  It will have two broods from March-October in the North. This suggests to me that you may see a Red Admiral or two in North Texas during mid January. As to whether they are active, I don't think they are nearly as active when they are not breeding. But that doesn't mean they hide. Maybe this one was disturbed, or just hungry. :-)
   
   I did think this quote was interesting:  "The winter form is smaller and duller, summer form larger and brighter with an interrupted forewing band."
   
   source: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/spec … a-atalanta

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      JimTxMillerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Good information, Jule. The one yesterday was about average in size and coloration. I suppose even a butterfly can follow the beat of a different drummer?

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      Jule Romansposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for picking my answer! :-)

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   cat on a soapboxposted 11 years ago

   This past year was notable for its unusually large and early Red Admiral migration from Central America to  Canada. It wouldn't surprise me if you have seen them active in Texas  since temps. have been warm for winter.According to the Farmer's Almanac, a wide corridor from So. to No. over Texas to Canada is warmer than usual.

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      JimTxMillerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      We certainly had a boom in their numbers through early summer. I also saw species I had not noted here before, but I passed that off as there being more of them. So far our weather pattern is holding fairly in line with the almanac.

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      cat on a soapboxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Enjoy the beautiful show!

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