Identification: Oplar, USGS Internet pages, Butterflies of Alabama. The adult Red Admiral butterfly has a wing span of one to three inches. The upperside is black with white spots near the apex. The forewing has a red median band, and the hindwing has a red marginal band. The winter form of this butterfly is small and duller; the summer form is larger and brighter with an interrupted forewing band. Its preferred habitat is moist woods, yards, parks, marshes, seeps and fields.