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Red admiral

Vanessa atalanta

Photo by Brian38
Published on Project Noah
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47.5749, -122.054

Field Notes

Description:

This medium-sized butterfly is identified by its striking dark brown, red, and black wing pattern. More specifically, the dark wings possess orange bands that cross the forewings and on the outer edge of the hindwings; white spots on the dorsal forewings near the front margin; reddish bars on dorsal surface of all four wings. The caterpillar feeds on nettles, and the adult drinks from flowering plants like the Buddleia and overripe fruit.

In northern Europe, it is one of the last butterflies to be seen before winter sets in, often feeding on the flowers of ivy on sunny days. The red admiral is also known to hibernate,[4] re-emerging individuals showing prominently darker colourings than first-brood subjects. The butterfly also flies on sunny winter days, especially in southern Europe.

In North America, the red admiral generally has two broods from March through October. Most of North America must be recolonized each spring by southern migrants, but this species over-winters in south Texas.-Wikipedia.

Habitat:

Spotted feeding on blackberry and stinging nettles in a wooded area.

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