RED ADMIRAL

Vanessa atalanta

BRUSHFOOT FAMILY (Nymphalidae)

This butterfly has a wingspan of approximately 2 inches.  Dorsally, it is black with bright red bars across the forewing, white spots at the tip of the forewing and an orange-red  border on the hindwing.  Ventrally, it is mottled brown on the hindwing. The forewing has white spotting at the tip, followed by a blue spot and a showy pink bar across the middle of the wing.  The mature caterpillar is about 1 5/8 inches in length.  It is variable, ranging from almost white or yellow-green to black.  It usually has tiny white speckles sprinkled over the body.  It has black and white spines, and a broad  whitish stripe along the sides.  

The Red Admiral establishes northern populations each spring as migrants move in from the south.   Some years it is very common and other years it is scarce.  It can be found nectaring on flowers in gardens and prairies at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods, and also sitting on vegetation in sunny areas of the forest.

Its flight is fast and erratic.  The male sets up a territory in late afternoon and evening and will actively chase intruders away, including humans.  The larvae make nests by folding up a leaf.  Host plants are nettles, false nettles and pellitories.