Canary Red Admiral
Common NameCanary Red Admiral
Scientific NameVanessa vulcania
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)50
Primary Colorsblack, red, orange, white
HabitatForests, clearings, gardens, laurel forests, open areas, often near nettles
Geographic RangeCanary Islands, Madeira, occasionally vagrant to mainland Portugal and Spain
Host PlantsUrtica morifolia, Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, Parietaria judaica
Flight PeriodYear-round in warmer areas, more common in spring and autumn
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on the host plant leaves. The larvae are spiny and feed on nettles, often creating a silken tent. Pupation occurs as a chrysalis hanging upside down.
Identification TipsDistinguished from the common Red Admiral (*Vanessa atalanta*) by its more broken and irregular red bands, particularly on the forewings, and its specific insular range. The red band on the hindwing is also typically more continuous and less interrupted than in *V. atalanta*.
Description
This butterfly has dark brown to black wings with prominent, irregular red-orange bands across both forewings and hindwings. The forewings also feature several distinct white spots near the apex.
