Vanessa atalanta, (Linnaeus,1758) common name, Red Admiral
Family: Nymphalidae
Wingspan: Male up to 67mm Female up to 72mm.
Widespread and common all over the British Isles and Europe, this mainly due to large migrations throughout the summer months. A resident mainly in the most southern parts of Europe around the Mediterranean, but in recent years has now been recorded in the most southern counties of England.
Flight Period (British Isles) Late May till November. On rare occasions can also be seen in the most southern parts of England, on a warm sunny winter’s day,
The Red Admiral resides in warmer regions of North Africa, Southern Europe and Asia. Migrates northwards in Spring and sometimes again in the Autumn.
Habitat: Gardens, Parks, moist woodland edges, roadside edges, orchards, hedgerows and practically anywhere Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) is abundant.
The eggs are laid singly, mostly found on the upper-side of the fresh young leaves of stinging nettles. The caterpillars feed while hidden, by the folded nettles leaves which have been fastened together by the caterpillar’s silk, this giving extra protection from predators. Eventually, the caterpillar becomes a Chrysalis and hangs suspended while hidden within the folded leaves of a stinging nettle.
Adult Vanessa Atalanta males establish territories in warm sunny areas, patrolling his claimed area endlessly searching for females. The females will only mate with males that hold territory. Later in the year both sexes seek warm sheltered places such as urban gardens, feeding on the nectar giving plants such as buddleia, also favouring sweet rotting fruit. Late in the year, some adults will return south but the majority of Red Admirals perish while staying further north and try to hibernate in exposed areas. Although a few maybe be lucky and survive the winter, particularly if left undisturbed while hibernating in a sheltered building.