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Project Noah Nature School
Vanessa atalanta
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).
Guatemala north through Mexico and the United States to northern Canada; Hawaii, some Caribbean Islands, New Zealand, Europe, Northern Africa, Asia. Cannot survive coldest winters; most of North America must be recolonized each spring by southern migrants. Habitat is moist woods, yards, parks, marshes, seeps, and moist fields. During migrations, the Red Admiral is found in almost any habitat from tundra to subtropics. This one was photographed at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park near Augusta (Richmond County), GA.
Flight: Two broods from March-October in the north, winters from October-March in South Texas. Caterpillar Hosts include 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). Red Admiral adults 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 Sep 1, 2012
Submitted on Mar 30, 2013
1 Comment
they can be this vivid. Sometimes they are orangish.