Red admiral butterfly

Insect

Illustration of red admiral butterfly
Red admiral butterfly

Vanessa atalanta

Red admirals have dark black-brown wings, each with an orange-red band. The forewing tips are black with white spots; the underside is orange, blue and white, while the hindwings are camouflaged dark brown.

After hibernation, adults have a strong urge to fly northwards, bringing immigrants from the Continent throughout the summer. By mid-August they start to return south, leading to a build up in southern England in autumn.

During the summer females lay single eggs on the growing tips of nettles. After a week or so, the caterpillars hatch and each spins a tent around itself by fastening a young leaf double with silk. Four weeks later caterpillars pupate in a similar ‘tent’. Adults may hibernate in England, usually choosing an exposed site such as a tree trunk, and many perish.

Caterpillars are bristly and dark with a pale yellow stripe running down each side.