blue admiral butterfly
Refers specifically to the species Kaniska canace, a nymphalid butterfly. The name is a biological common name, not a general descriptive term.
The blue admiral has a bark-like pattern on the underside of its wings, making it hard to spot when it lands.
In spring, blue admirals are often seen in this park.
Katakana spelling is standard for this butterfly name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare and mainly found in older or specialized texts; the katakana form is strongly preferred.
The Japanese name ルリタテハ is composed of 瑠璃 (lapis lazuli, referring to the blue color) and 立羽 (a term for brush-footed butterflies). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the name is conventionally associated with the butterfly's appearance.