also: あかたては
noun
Indian red admiral; Asian admiral
A species of butterfly (Vanessa indica) found in Asia. The name is usually written in katakana.
庭にアカタテハが飛んできた。
An Indian red admiral flew into the garden.
アカタテハは翅の模様が美しい蝶だ。
The Indian red admiral is a butterfly with beautiful wing patterns.
The name likely derives from 赤 (aka, 'red') and 立羽 (tateha, 'brush-footed butterfly'), referring to the reddish coloration and the family Nymphalidae. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.