Red Admiral

The Red Admiral is a striking butterfly with velvety black wings marked by bright orange-red bands and white spots near the wing tips. Its wingspan measures between 64 and 78 millimetres. This clear pattern makes it one of Britain’s most easily recognised butterflies, unlikely to be mistaken for other species. It is found widely across the British Isles. The Red Admiral mainly arrives as a migrant from mainland Europe during spring and summer, although more are now staying through the winter in southern Britain. A very active butterfly, it can be seen in many different places. It likes gardens, edges of woods, and hedgerows where there are plenty of flowers for nectar. In autumn, the adults especially enjoy feeding on rotting fruit. The caterpillars only eat common nettle and make distinctive shelters by folding the leaves into tents.