The Atala is a spectacular and once-endangered butterfly of South Florida with iridescent blue-green spots on jet-black wings and a vivid red abdomen that advertises sequestered cycasin toxins from coontie palm. It was thought extinct by the 1960s due to habitat loss but has staged a remarkable recovery following the re-planting of coontie in gardens. Its aposematic coloration is one of the most striking of any North American butterfly.
Best time to see a Atala Butterfly
The best time to see a Atala Butterfly is January–July, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 7,525 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Atala Butterfly? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Atala Butterfly sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted an Atala Butterfly?
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