Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) is a medium-sized butterfly, with a wingspan of 1.75 to 3 inches (an unusually wide range). In our local area, it can be seen during all 12 months. The numbers are unusually stable from month to month, except for a small dip in December. All members of the Nettle family (Urticaceae) are used as host plants. This includes more than 50 different genera. Locally, we see them using Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) and Pellitory (Parietoria pennsylvanica), and also Hops (Humulus) from the Cannabaceae family.
Adults prefer to feed on tree sap, fermenting fruit, and bird droppings. They visit flowers only when these are not available. The chrysalis mimics the color and texture of a dry, dead leaf.
Males are very territorial. Wikipedia says: “Males patrol their territory by flying around the perimeter between 7 and 30 times per hour. On average, territory holders interact with intruders 10 to 15 times per hour. … Only males of exceptional flying ability are able to chase off intruding males and successfully court females.”
Red Admiral and West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella) are known to hybridize.
