Red Admiral – Vanessa atalanta

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) Common Name: Red Admiral Latin Name: Vanessa atalanta Appearance: The eye-catching Red Admiral butterfly has unusual black wings with white dots and red-orange stripes. The hindwings feature a smattering of white specks on a black background, while the forewings feature a conspicuous red-orange stripe along their outer margin. The butterfly may fly between 1.75 and 3 inches (4.5 and 7.5 cm) in length. Host Plants: The Red Admiral’s caterpillars consume a variety of host plants, including pellitory (Parietaria spp.), false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica), and nettles (Urtica spp.). Territory: Red Admirals are found in a wide range of habitats, including gardens, open woodlands, and urban areas throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They are known for their migratory behavior in some regions. Damages caused by Red Admiral: Red Admirals do not harm plants when they are adults. Nonetheless, the larval stage of the caterpillars allows them to consume the host plant’s leaf. The caterpillars usually do not cause much harm, and their behaviors are a normal component of ecosystems’ natural relationships. Life History and Habits: Eggs: Female Red Admirals lay eggs on host plants, typically on the undersides of leaves. Caterpillar (Larva): The caterpillars hatch from the eggs and go through several instars, feeding on the leaves of host plants. They are typically spiny and have a mottled appearance. Pupa (Chrysalis): When fully grown, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis, usually attached to a twig or other substrate. Adult Butterfly: After the pupal stage, the adult Red Admiral emerges. Adults are known for their distinctive coloration and erratic flight patterns.