The Ruddy Daggerwing is a tropical butterfly with brilliant orange wings and long, pointed tails on both hindwings. It is one of the most striking butterflies in South Florida where it occasionally colonizes seasonally. Its dagger-wing silhouette is unmistakable. Adults perch with wings spread on sunlit leaves in tropical hammocks and wander into gardens.
Best time to see a Ruddy Daggerwing
The best time to see a Ruddy Daggerwing is March–August, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 2,340 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Ruddy Daggerwing? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Ruddy Daggerwing sightings near you
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