Red Admiral and Peacock Butterflies

The Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) is a migratory, large butterfly known for its black wings with bold red-orange bands and white spots. It is famously common in gardens, feeds on nectar and fermenting fruit, and uses nettles as its primary larval food plant.

Here are some interesting facts about the Red Admiral:

• Mass Migrator: Most Red Admirals in the UK are not residents but migrants arriving from North Africa and continental Europe in spring, with their offspring returning south in autumn.

• Widespread Range: They are found across the Northern Hemisphere, spanning from Canada to Guatemala, throughout Europe, North Africa, Asia, and have been introduced to New Zealand.

• Increasingly Wintering: Due to climate change, many Red Admirals now skip migration and stay in the UK, over-wintering as adults.

• "Red Admirable": They were originally known as the "red admirable" in the 18th century, which was later corrupted to "red admiral".

• Nettle-loving Caterpillars: Females lay eggs only on members of the nettle family, including common nettles and stinging nettles.

• Caterpillar "Tents": The caterpillars are bristly and, to protect themselves, they spin leaves together with silk to make a protective "tent" or chamber, where they live and eventually pupate.

• Temperature-sensitive Chrysalis: The color of their pupae changes based on temperature; they are bright scarlet at high temperatures and blackish at lower temperatures.

• Fruit Eaters: While they feed on nectar from flowers like Buddleia and Ivy, they are often attracted to fermenting, rotting fruit in the autumn.

• Large Wingspan: Females are slightly larger than males and can have a wingspan up to 78mm.

• Top 2023 Survey Spot: It was the most-spotted butterfly in the UK's 2023 Big Butterfly Count.