Vanessa atalanta

The red admiral is one of the mostly widely distributed butterflies, being native to most of North and Central America, Europe, a large portion of Asia, and parts of Africa. Also, territorial male red admirals will sometimes dart out at approaching people.
Photo Credit: Will Kerling
Vanessa atalanta
Common Name: red admiral
Animal Guild: Insect
Class > Order > Family: Insecta > Lepidoptera > Nymphalidae
What does the species look like? This species is unmistakable in North America. It is a dark, medium sized butterfly with a wing span of about 2 to 2.5 inches. It has a bold red band through the forewing above and beneath, and on the edge of the hindwing above. There are white spots near the apex of the forewings, and some blue on the forewing beneath. The hindwing and tip of the forewing beneath are intricately mottled in grey, brown and black, making the butterfly quite cryptic when resting when colorful surfaces covered. The caterpillar is highly variable in color and spiny looking, although they have no venom and cannot sting people. Since caterpillars of several related genera also occur on nettles, in most places anybody wishing to report this stage should consult one or more caterpillar guides.
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AB, AL, AR, AZ, BC, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MB, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NB, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NL, NM, NS, NV, NY, OH, OK, ON, OR, PA, PE, QC, RI, SC, SD, SK, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV
Distribution

This species ranges from Newfoundland to the Yukon (rarely), south throughout the United States, most or all of Mexico to Central America, the red admiral is also native in Eurasia and North Africa, and introduced to Hawaii and New Zealand.

Red admirals occur anywhere that native or exotic nettles grow, but they are most likely to be seen in fairly open settings with some trees, such as shady yards, open woods, edges, forest roads, clearings, marshes and meadows near woods, and in gardens. Riparian meadows and floodplain forests with a lot of nettles are especially good habitats.
General Phenology and Life History Since this species is a seasonal migrant rather than year-round resident in most of North America, its seasonality and abundance vary from year to year. Apparently only adults hibernate, and they do so in places with mild winters such as along essentially the entire U.S. Pacific coast, in southern Arizona, from eastern Texas to southern Georgia and Florida, and occasionally farther north in the Atlantic coastal plain. Some probably go into Mexico or Central America. In normal years, adults populate most of the U.S. and southern Canada from April to June, and on the east coast obvious migrations to the northeast often continue until June. Westward migrations can occur in summer near the Atlantic coast. Once red admirals populate an area, breeding probably continues through the summer, with typically two broods produced northward and four or more per year in south Florida and south Texas. The southward migration seems to be mostly in October in the East. Some adults start too late or fail to migrate and become stranded northward (e.g. the one illustrated here), where they have little or no chance of surviving the winter, but can be seen on mild days until the onset of severe cold in late November or December. Eggs are laid on nettles (Urtica, Boehmeria, Parietaria, Laportea etc.) and possibly on hops. Caterpillars are solitary in a rolled leaf nest. Pupae are suspended from a flat surface, occasionally on buildings. Adults visit flowers, fermenting fruit, and sap. They reportedly also feed at fresh bird droppings and dung, and sip moisture from the soil. Males defend territories from perches on trees or buildings for about two hours late in the day from about June to August. Males apparently move on after one to three days in an area.
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Adults
One or more adults are seen or heard moving about or at rest.
More...

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Adults feeding
One or more adults are seen feeding with their straw-like tongue (proboscis). If possible, record the substance and species on which they are feeding (for example, nectar, sap, dung, or moist soil) in the comments field. For Vanessa atalanta, adults feed on tree sap, rotting fruit, flower nectar and animal droppings.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Flower visitation
One or more individuals are seen visiting flowers or flying from flower to flower. If possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Migrating adults
Multiple adults of the same species are seen flying steadily in a uniform direction without stopping.
More...

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Reproduction Mating
A male and female are seen coupled in a mating position, usually end to end. This can occur at rest or in flight.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Egg laying
A female is seen laying eggs on a plant or other surface. If possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field. For Vanessa atalanta, eggs are typically deposited on the leaves of plants in the nettle family (Urticaceae).

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Eggs
One or more eggs are seen on a plant or other surface. If possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field. For Vanessa atalanta, the tiny, barrel-shaped, green eggs have raised white ribs, and are typically found on the leaves of plants in the nettle family (Urticaceae).

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Development Caterpillars
One or more caterpillars (larvae) are seen moving about or at rest. When seen on a plant, if possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field. For Vanessa atalanta, caterpillars have black heads and are covered with short, branched spines, but otherwise vary in color. They can be pale brown with a yellowish stripe along each side, to black with small, white dots and a broken white stripe along each side. They enclose themselves in a shelter of folded leaves to feed.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Caterpillars feeding
One or more caterpillars are seen feeding. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or describe it in the comments field. For Vanessa atalanta, caterpillars typically feed on the leaves of plants in the nettle family (Urticaceae).

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Pupae
One or more pupae are seen in a cocoon or shell (puparium). For Vanessa atalanta, pupae are brown or gray with gold spots and short spines on one side, and hang from plants or other outdoor surfaces. Do not include empty pupal shells after the adult has emerged from them.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Dead adults
One or more dead adults are seen.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Dead caterpillars
One or more dead caterpillars are seen.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Method Individuals at a feeding station
One or more individuals are seen visiting a feeder, feeding station, or food placed by a person.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Individuals in a net
One or more individuals are seen caught in a net.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Individuals in a trap
One or more individuals are seen caught in a trap.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
What do these phenophases look like?

There is currently no photoguide available for this species. If you'd like help us create one, use the guidance document and species template provided here. Then send it via email to education@usanpn.org when it is complete.