Santa Barbara Field Guides – Butterflies
Lepidoptera
Nymphalidae Vanessa atalanta
Red Admiral
upperside
underside
Size:
wingspread 1.8-2.5 in. Recognition:
Unique; bright orange/ red band cuts diagonally through middle of FW; white spots above band on otherwise dark background; HW dark with thick orange edge (with blue spots at inner corners). Flight period:
Adults can be found all year in southern California, and from March to November in other areas. Hostplants:
Larvae feed mostly on nettle, false nettle, and wood nettle (all Urticaceae). Habitat:
Red Admirals can grace the suburban yard, and are found in a variety of other habitats including open fields, scrubby areas, and foothills. Distribution:
Common and widespread throughout most of North America, but is only a seasonal colonist of areas where it cannot survive winters. Quite common in southern California and is recorded on Santa Cruz Island.
Other:
In suburban yards, males will sometimes 'claim' territories, returning to the same area repeatedly for weeks.
