Red Admiral
ExploreInsects
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
The Red Admiral is a striking butterfly with dark wings and bright red bands. It often rests on flowers to soak up the sun!
Habitat: Woodlands, gardens, and parks
Appearance
The Red Admiral has striking dark brown to black wings featuring bold, bright orange-red bands across the forewings and along the hindwing edges. Small white spots near the forewing tips further distinguish its appearance. Its mottled brown and blue underside provides excellent camouflage when resting.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusVanessa
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
56
Interesting facts
Adult Red Admirals absolutely love to sip on juicy, fermenting fruit from the ground!
Despite their beauty, they sometimes drink from bird droppings to get extra nutrients!
Some Red Admirals can survive freezing winter by hiding in tree hollows or under bark!
Their caterpillars are so picky they only eat the leaves of stinging nettles!
Special abilities
Ability
Long-Distance Traveler
Red Admirals can fly thousands of miles because of strong flight muscles that help them migrate across continents.
Ability
Hidden Wings
Red Admirals have mottled brown and blue undersides that help them blend in perfectly with tree bark or dead leaves when resting.
Ability
Taste-bud Feet
Red Admirals can taste with their feet because of special receptors that help them find sugary food sources like rotting fruit.
Ability
Sticky Percher
Red Admirals have tiny claws and sticky pads on their legs that help them perch firmly on leaves, flowers, or even tree trunks.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 45-60 mm
- Size
- 25-32 mm
- Lifespan
- 60-300 days
- Flight Speed
- 10 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults drink nectar, tree sap, and rotting fruit juice; caterpillars munch on stinging nettle leaves.
Age differences: Caterpillars exclusively eat stinging nettle leaves, while adults primarily drink nectar, tree sap, and fermenting fruit.
Primary Foods
- Flower Nectar
- Tree Sap
- Fermenting Fruit
- Stinging Nettle Leaves
- Bird Droppings
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Stinging Nettle
Urtica dioica
Caterpillars exclusively feed on its leaves for growth.
pollinates
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Adults drink nectar, helping to spread the plant's pollen.
eaten by
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
Birds like sparrows may prey on adult butterflies or caterpillars.
depends on
Apple Tree
Malus domestica
Adults feed on fermenting fallen fruit from apple trees.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Red AdmirableRed Admiral Butterfly
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Red Admiral's wingspan?
45-60 mm
How big is Red Admiral?
25-32 mm
How long does Red Admiral live?
60-300 days
How fast can Red Admiral fly?
10 km/h
What does Red Admiral eat?
Adults drink nectar, tree sap, and rotting fruit juice; caterpillars munch on stinging nettle leaves.
Where is Red Admiral usually found?
Woodlands, gardens, and parks
How does Red Admiral hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Red Admiral have?
6
Snap Map
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