Red Admiral
Image: Marija39 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common NameRed Admiral
Scientific NameVanessa atalanta
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)55
Primary Colorsblack, red, white
HabitatGardens, parks, meadows, forest edges, urban areas
Geographic RangeNorth America, Europe, Asia, North Africa
Host PlantsUrtica dioica, Urtica urens, Parietaria
Flight PeriodApril to October (multiple broods)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on nettles. Larvae are spiny, often dark with yellow markings, and create leaf shelters. Pupae are typically brown or grey, sometimes with metallic spots.
Identification TipsKey features include the broad orange-red bands on dark wings, particularly the one crossing the forewing and the submarginal band on the hindwing, combined with white spots on the forewing apex.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with dark brown to black wings, featuring a prominent orange-red band across the hindwings and forewings, and white spots near the forewing tips.
