Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
The Red Admiral is a large, strikingly colored butterfly with a black base color, red bands, and white spots on the wing tips. It is well-known as a migratory species that travels seasonally between Northern Europe and the Mediterranean region. The species inhabits various environments such as gardens, forest edges, and orchards, while the larvae feed almost exclusively on stinging nettles. Due to climate change, an increasing number of individuals are now overwintering in Central Europe.
Details
Identification
Velvety black upper wing surfaces; prominent diagonal red band on the forewings; white spots at the forewing tips; red marginal band on the hindwings.
Social behavior
Predominantly solitary; however, males exhibit territorial behavior (perching) in sunny locations.
Diet
Adult butterflies feed on the nectar of various flowers (e.g., ivy, thistles, butterfly bush) and fermenting fallen fruit. Larvae specialize on nettle leaves.
Hunting strategy
Active searching for flowers and scent sources for feeding.
Spawning substrate
Leaves of the Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) and more rarely the Small Nettle (Urtica urens).
Overwintering
Overwintering as an imago (adult butterfly), often in sheltered tree hollows, cellars, or by migrating to warmer regions.
Ecology
Ecological role
Significant pollinator for wild plants and important prey for birds and predatory insects during various life stages.
Natural predators
Birds, spiders, hornets, ichneumon wasps (as larval parasitoids), and predatory beetles.
Competitor species
Other brush-footed butterflies such as the European Peacock or the Comma, which utilize similar nectar sources.
Ecosystem service
Pollination of flowering plants and contribution to biodiversity in urban and rural areas.
Threats
Intensification of agriculture, use of herbicides against nettles, insecticide application, and habitat loss.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
Characteristic red 'admiral' bands on the forewings. Underside of the hindwings is cryptically marbled like tree bark. Well-known migratory butterfly with distinct seasonal movement patterns.