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Red Admiral
Scientific name: Vanessa atalanta
Order: Lepidaptera
Family: Nymphalidae
The Red admiral butterfly is found in all three countries on the North American continent, due to its strong migration habits. This species inhabits North America from Central Canada through the Mexican highlands to Guatemala. They are an easy species to identify due to their size and distinctive markings. In Mexico and in warmer states, they can be found year-round. They are only seen during the summer months in the northern part of the continent. Adults can be found in almost any type of habitat.
The Red admiral is a medium sized butterfly. It has a wingspan of about 2 inches. The upper side of the wing is black and the front wings have an orange band with white spots above it towards the apex. The hind wings have a marginal orange band. Both the fore and hind wings have a series of white dashed lines along the margins. The color underneath the front wings is a dark brown with white spots and a pink/orange band. The underside of the hind wings is marbled. The larva of this species is highly variable in color, and resembles the painted lady caterpillar. The Red admiral caterpillar has a black head, and the body is divided into segments. The body is brownish with yellow stripes on the sides and sometimes has white dots on top. Each segment of the larva has a row of long branching spines (scoli) with reddish bases. The pupa is brown to gray with gold spots and short spines on the back. Some of these spines are tipped with gold.
Red admirals are most common in open areas near woods where their host plants are found. The larvae of this species feed on herbs in the nettle family, including stinging nettle, false nettle, wood nettle, etc. In Kansas, Carolina horse nettle is a common plant species, but is not a true nettle and is a member of the night shade family. Males defend territories and fly to meet females for mating. Females lay eggs that are light green and surrounded by white vertical ridges. Eggs are laid singly on leaves of nettle plants. Larvae make nests by silking together small leaves or by silking together the sides of larger leaves to form a protective tube. Older larvae will partially chew threw the petiole of their leaf nest and the drooping of these leaves may indicate their presence. These caterpillars will make many of these shelters throughout their lifetime.
Red admirals prefer to eat fermenting tree sap, fruit, and fresh dung over nectar from plants. They will however drink nectar from aster, goldenrod, milkweed, and other plants. Even though it is rich in sugar, nectar and other food sources lack some important nutrients that are needed for reproduction. Sodium is important for male and female butterflies. Females lose sodium when they lay eggs. Males lose sodium when they transfer the nutrient rich spermataphore to their reproductive partner during mating. Sodium loss is much more severe for the males, because the first time he mates, he loses a third of his sodium. To obtain these nutrients, butterflies will engage in a behavior known as puddling, which is mostly done by males. They will gather on moist soil or sand, or carcasses to obtain nutrients and minerals. ... See moreSee less