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Project Noah Nature School
Vanessa atalanta
Butterfly where upperside is black with white spots near the apex; forewing with red median band, hindwing with red marginal band. The winter form is smaller and duller, summer form larger and brighter with an interrupted forewing band. Wing Span: 1 3/4 - 3 inches (4.5 - 7.6 cm).
This one was spotted at the Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve near Clarks Hill (McCormick County), SC.
Caterpillar Hosts: Plants of the nettle family (Urticaceae) including stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), tall wild nettle (U. gracilis), wood nettle (Laportea canadensis), false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica), pellitory (Parietoria pennsylvanica), mamaki (Pipturus albidus), and possibly hops (Humulus). Adult Food: Red Admirals prefer sap flows on trees, fermenting fruit, and bird droppings; visiting flowers only when these are not available. Then they will nectar at common milkweed, red clover, aster, and alfalfa, among others.
Spotted on Apr 13, 2014
Submitted on Jan 1, 2015
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