Insect

Kamehameha Butterfly

Vanessa tameamea

Also known as Pulelehua, Lepelepe-o-Hina, Hawaiian Red Admiral

Kamehameha butterflies flash brilliant orange and dark brown wings as they glide through high-elevation native Hawaiian forests. Females lay eggs almost exclusively on native nettles like mamaki, where young caterpillars roll leaf edges with silk to create protective shelters. Adults prefer feeding on oozing tree sap and decaying koa fruit over flower nectar, making them distinct forest dwellers.

EndemicPollinatorDiurnal

1 / 6

—observations

—countries

—peak records

VulnerableConservation status

Key facts

Diet & preyMamaki leaf tissue, Tree sap, Fermenting fruit

Predators

Invasive ants
Parasitoid wasps
Introduced songbirds

ThreatsHabitat loss, invasive ants, parasitoid wasps, introduced birds

HabitatsMesic and wet native Hawaiian forests, mountain gulches

Life span2–4 months

Classification

FamilyNymphalidae
SpeciesVanessa tameamea

Range & activity

Range data is not available yet.

Safe observation

Interaction riskLow

Low
Moderate
High
Very high

Why interaction risk is low: Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice: Recognizable by vibrant orange-red wings with black borders and white spots in native high-elevation forests.
Support conservation: Observe from a distance without touching host plants or unwrapping rolled mamaki leaves.

Responsible observation

Spotting: Look for adults along sunny forest trails near wounded koa trees or mamaki patches.
Caterpillar Sign: Search for rolled leaf edges on mamaki bushes, which shelter growing larvae.
Observation: Approach slowly while adults are basking or feeding on sap to avoid startling them.

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