Atala Butterflies Lifer for me

 

Bing AI doesn't know what Atala Butterfly looks like, but this is beautiful

I met a butterfly in our back yard that I have never seen before. It was about the size of a Red Admiral, very small. At first, I thought it was solid black, but then saw a red dot on it. No photos can't get it with the cell phone.

Excited because it was the first time in my life to see this tiny butterfly, I googled small black butterfly with red dot on head

and VOILA!

the first link I clicked on is this one https://www.sarasotamanatee.usf.edu/news/2023/usf-sarasota-manatee-atala-butterflies.aspx

The article is from 2023 and I live 6 miles from USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus, and about 2 miles as the butterfly, flies... This beauty in my yard had found its way here, a rare tropical butterfly, lives in the perfect habitat at the university campus. I am so excited. I need to get a plant to draw more of them.

this is another link if you want more info...   https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/BFLY/Eumaeus_atala.htm  and 

today I have the perfect post for joining Nature Friday with Sunny and Rosy https://llbinourbackyard.blogspot.com/

and also the perfect post for FFF with Yam https://inimaynaelcammeno.blogspot.com/