Vanessa atalanta
red admiral

The range of Red Admirals extends from northern Canada, throughout the United States, through Mexico, and as far south as Guatemala. This butterfly is also found in Hawaii, Europe, Northern Africa, New Zealand, and in Asia as far east as Iran.

References: (Opler, et al 2000)

Red Admirals tend to be found in moist environments such as marshes, woods, fields, and yards. These butterflies cannot stand extreme winter cold and are forced to migrate southward during the winter months to warmer climates. During this migration they can be found in habitats ranging from subtropics to tundras. The caterpillar lives upon willows, poplars, and elms. Immature caterpillars tend to live amongst the leaves of these trees, while more mature caterpillars will construct a nest of leaves and silk.

References: (Hubbell 1993, Opler et. al 2000)

The characteristic coloration of the Red Admiral Butterfly is a black hindwing with a red-orange marginal band; the dorsal forewing is also black with white markings near the apex. The wing span of the Red Admiral ranges between 1.75 and 3 inches. These butterflies tend to have a brighter coloration and a larger body mass during the summer months than during the winter. The legs and eyes of the Red Admiral tend to be hairy and the head is moderately large.

A mature caterpillar of the larvae stage is cyndrical in shape and has branching spines arranged in rows lengthwise.

References: (Holland 1907, Opler et. al 2000)

Red Admirals are considered to be people-friendly butterflies that will approach and perch on human beings. In regard to other butterflies of their species, however, the male butterflies are known to be territorial in order to find a mate. Male Red Admirals generally claim an elliptically shaped area ranging between 4-13 m wide and 8-24 m long. To protect this area, the males will patrol their territorial boundaries up to thirty times an hour. If an intruder enters their area, they attempt to drive them away by out-flying and out-maneuvering the intruding butterfly.

Red Admirals tend to be fidgety and swift insects that rapidly change direction throughout the course of their flight. The species appears to be most active throughout the spring and fall months, its flight time lasts from March until November. Adult Red Admirals will hibernate throughout the winter months.

References: (Bitzer 1999, Opler et. al 2000)

Mature Red Admirals tend to feed on fermenting fruits, bird droppings, and sap from trees. Adult Red Admirals are fond of nectaring at composite flowers, such as milkweed, aster, and alfalfa. The food sources for the larva include nettles from the genus Urtica, pellitory from the genus Parietoria, and hops from the genus Humulus.

References: (Kellogg 1906, Opler et. al 2000)

The adult stage of the Red Admiral is rarely harmful because mature Red Admiral butterflies feed mainly on nectar. The caterpillar stage, however, can do tremendous damage to the plants that it feeds on. The plants the Red Admiral caterpillars tend to eat include nettles, hops, and pellitory.

Reference: (Opler et. al 2000, Parenti 1977)

The aesthetic beauty of the Red Admiral is one of the most underrated values of this species. Due to the Red Admirals wide-spread range throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia, their beauty can be enjoyed by many. Red Admirals are often found nectaring at red clover, aster, and buddleia flowers; this combination of flowers and butterflies further enhances their aesthetic value.

References: (Opler et. al 2000, Parenti 1977)

The red admiral butterfly may appear to be rare at the outer edges of its range, but it is thought to be a secure species globally.

Reference: (Opler et al. 2000)

The distinctive red-orange band across the wing of the Red Admiral makes this butterfly species easy to distinguish from other species. The common name "Red Admiral" compares this band to the chevrons on a naval uniform.

Reference: (Parenti, 1977)