What is a red admiral?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

June 11, 2003

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Red admiral butterflies (Vanessa atalanta Linnaeus) are found almost everywhere—Old World and New, they range from the tundra to the subtropics. The butterfly is as widespread as the host species for its caterpillar—nettles (Urtica species) and their closely related kin—wood nettles (Laportea spp.), false nettles (Boehmeria spp.), and pellitories (Parietaria spp.)

Orange Glory Flower Butterflies can't resist the bright color and sweet nectar of this North American native plant.

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Red admirals are brush-footed butterflies, members of the Nymphalinae. The forelegs are reduced in size, covered with brush-like scales, and have chemical sensors. Females use the front pair to scrape at leaves and 'taste' for appropriate chemicals. If the leaves 'taste' right, she will lay her eggs, one to a leaf, on the plant.

The young caterpillars feed from a shelter of folded leaves; older caterpillars use silk and stitch together a tent of leaves to camouflage their location. The adults hibernate during the winter, but are killed with cold weather. They do not lack for reproductive success and re-colonize the temperate zones every summer. Where winters are mild, the butterflies are some of the first to emerge in the spring. ("Red Admiral", Butterflies of North America, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, USGS)

According to Geyata Ajilvsgi, for all the tasting with their forelegs, admirals do not prefer the nectar produced by flowers. They take sap flowing from wounded trees, juice from damaged fruit, and animal dung. Admirals are also fond of perspiration. When they locate a sweaty gardener, they will repeatedly land on exposed skin to partake.

In autumn, the butterflies are attracted to rotting fruit, especially fruit that is slightly fermented. After feeding, they appear inebriated and have difficulty flying. (Butterfly Gardening for the South, Geyata Ajilvsgi, Taylor Publishing, 1990)

The Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center of the USGS has photographs of the red admiral butterfly. To view the photographs, click on the link:

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/usa/224.htm

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