Granddad’s Camera
Red admiral, as it appears in the game

No.021 · Butterflies, moths and other insects · Common

Red admiral

Vanessa atalanta

A bold black butterfly with scarlet bars and white spots. Most arrive each spring from southern Europe and North Africa; a few overwinter in the far south.

When to look

June to October, mostly at day.

Time of day

Best time
Sunny days from May to October; peak September on ivy and rotting fruit.
Where in the game
Millbrook (garden, park, churchyard, canal and farmland) and the New Forest (lawn and ancient woodland)
Wingspan
64–78 mm (males 64–72, females 70–78)
Lifespan
Individual adults live weeks to months; hibernating adults last the winter
Population
Fluctuates widely each year; up 234% between 1976 and 2019 (Butterfly Conservation)
Status
Least Concern (GB Red List, Butterfly Conservation 2022)

Diet

Adults: nectar (buddleia, ivy), sap and rotting fruit. Caterpillars: nettle.

Habitat

Gardens, parks, woodland rides and hedgerows.

Breeding

Migrants arrive from North Africa and continental Europe each spring; females lay eggs singly on nettle; caterpillars live in folded leaves; new adults from July; a few overwinter in the far south.

Field signs

  • Folded nettle leaves held by silk, with a dark spiny caterpillar inside
  • Butterfly with scarlet band and white spots on black forewings
  • Males defend a sunny perch and chase off rivals

Did you know?

  • Most red admirals in Britain are migrants from Europe and north Africa; some may now overwinter in the far south of England.
  • Red admirals like rotting fruit and flowering ivy, drinking the sugary juice.
  • A red admiral will readily land on people, and males guard a sunny patch and return to the same perch.

Moments worth waiting for

  • Feeding on windfalls August to October, day
    A red admiral spreads its wings on a fallen apple, uncoiling its tongue to sip the juice.
  • Sunny-perch patrol May to August, day
    A male red admiral perches on a sunlit leaf and darts out to chase off rivals.

Photo tip

Approach slowly at ivy blossom or buddleia on a warm afternoon in September. A shallow angle from the side gets the wing pattern; a macro lens at 1 m.

Be a good naturalist

Do not net or handle butterflies. Leave a corner of nettles for caterpillars and plant ivy and buddleia; avoid pesticides.

The law

No legal protection.

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