Red Admiral
Red Admirable
Vanessa atalanta
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The Red Admiral is a well-known, medium-sized butterfly with striking black, red, and white patterns. It is migratoryMigration is the regular movement of animals from one place to another, often to find food or better weather. It’s a seasonal trip that many animals take for survival. Learn More in nature and is renowned for its strong flight and distinct coloration.
Red Admiral
Common Name
Red Admiral
Other Names
Red Admirable
Latin Name
Vanessa atalanta
Distribution
This butterfly is found in temperateTemperate refers to a climate that’s not too hot and not too cold, with moderate rainfall and distinct seasons like spring, summer, fall, and winter. You’ll find temperate areas in parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. It’s the kind of climate where you can see a wide variety of plants and animals, including deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the fall. Learn More regions of North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It’s especially common across Europe and the British Isles.
Appearance
The Red Admiral has a dark black-brown base color on the upper side of its wings with distinctive red-orange bands running horizontally across the forewings and around the edge of the hindwings. There are also small white spots on the tips of the forewings.
Size
The wingspan of the Red Admiral typically ranges between 45 to 50 mm. The caterpillar can reach lengths of about 40 mm.
Habitat
Red Admirals prefer a variety of habitats, including gardens, woodlands, meadows, parks, and other areas where nettle (their primary caterpillar food source) grows.
Diet
The caterpillar primarily feeds on nettles (Urtica dioica and Urtica urens). Adult butterflies are attracted to a variety of flowers, but they particularly prefer nectaring from buddleia, dandelions, asters, and overripe fruit.
Lifecycle
Following the general butterfly lifecycle, it undergoes four stages: egg → caterpillar (larva) → chrysalis (pupa) → adult butterfly.
Defense Mechanisms
The caterpillar’s primary defense is its cryptic coloration, which helps it blend in with the stems and leaves of nettles. Additionally, it constructs a shelter by folding a nettle leaf and securing it with silk, which provides some protection against predators. The adult butterfly’s contrasting colors can act as a warning or distraction to potential predators. Additionally, its erratic flight pattern can make it harder for birds to pursue.
Ecological Importance
Red Admirals, like other butterflies, play an essential role in the ecosystemAn ecosystem is a community of living organisms, like insects and birds, and non-living components, like water and rocks, that interact with each other in a specific area. Learn More as pollinators. They also serve as a food source for various predators, thereby maintaining a balance in the food chain.
ConservationThe act of protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment. Conservation efforts are important to protect beavers and their habitats. Learn More Status
The Red Admiral is not considered endangered or threatened. In many areas, it is common and widespread.
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