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| Red Admiral |
Latin
Name: Vanessa atalanta |
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Genus: Vanessa Species: atalanta |
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Comments: |
| The Red Admiral is a medium-sized dark butterfly that is quickly distinguished from any other species by its distinctive red forewing band. Particularly common in spring, the butterfly will readily explore suburban gardens. Adults have a quick, erratic flight. Males frequently perch on low vegetation or on the ground in sunlit locations. The larvae construct individual shelters on the host by folding together one or more leaves with silk. |
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Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
multiple generations; adults overwinter |
Egg: |
small green eggs laid singly on host leaves |
Larva: |
variable; pinkish gray to charcoal with lateral row of cream crescent-shaped spots and numerous branched spines |
Host Plants: |
False Nettle, Pellitory and nettles |
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Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
False Nettle, Pellitory and nettles |
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Habitat: |
Habitat: |
moist woodlands, forest edges, roadside ditches, along canals and ponds, wetlands and gardens |
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Wingspan: |
Inches: |
1.75 - 2.5 |
Centimeters: |
4.4 - 6.4 |
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Appearance: |
Sexes: |
similar |
Compare: |
unique |
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| Markings: |
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Above:
- dark brownish black with red hindwing border and distinct, red median forewing band; forewing has small white spots near apex
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Below:
- forewing as above with blue scaling and paler markings; hindwing mottled with dark brown, blue and cream in bark-like pattern
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Abundance: |
occasional; locally abundant |
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Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
