NO. 006
Butterflies
Mourning cloak
Pale yellow wing borders
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NO. 005
Illustration · not shown at life size
Illustration · not shown at life sizeButterflies / Insect
Red admiral
Vanessa atalanta
Bright red bands cross this butterfly’s dark wings. Look closely for white spots near the tips.
Let’s look closerLittle clues
Three things to notice.
Red bands across dark wings.
White spots near forewing tips.
Caterpillars eat nettles.
Out in the world
Where to look.
Around southeastern Wisconsin
Gardens and sunny edges.
When to look
From spring into summer; numbers can change a lot from year to year.
Look closely. Leave your tiny neighbor where you found it.
A closer look
One clue is just the start.
When the wings fold up, the bright red bands can be hard to see. Wait for a gentle wing stretch.
A special find can be hard to spot without being biologically rare. Encounters depend on season and habitat.
Keep exploring
Meet the neighbors.
For curious grownups, too
Read a little further.
Original summaries, with references for deeper reading. Field notes are being checked against the supplied research.
Make a creature disc
Artwork & downloads.
Drag a PNG image into xTool Studio, or use its download button. Images use the full-resolution files.
Relief depth PNG — prototype
Matches this front · dark lettering 0.5 mm, outline 0.1 mm at 1 mm maximum
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Front artwork is made for a 3-inch clear disc. Revised artwork still needs a physical check. Disc backs are blank; use the single carrier QR from the print studio to open the field guide.
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