Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
Wingspan: 1 3/4 - 3 inches

The Red Admiral is a medium-sized butterfly that is easily distinguished from all other species in our region by the bright, red-orange bands across all four upper wings. The wing tips are dotted with white.

Look for Red Admirals in open moist meadows near woodlands, fields and suburban gardens.

This swift-flier, which cannot survive harsh winters, migrates in spring and summer, some years in great numbsers.

Red Admirals nectar on flowers when their preferred food sources - fermenting fruit, sap and bird droppings - are not available. Red Admiral caterpillars feed on nettles (Urtica gracilis and U. dioica).