A fairly large black, white and red butterfly, the red admiral is an impressive visitor to our gardens where it can be spotted feeding on buddleia and other flowers. It will also frequent all kinds of other habitats, from seashores to mountains! Adults sometimes hibernate, and may be seen flying on warm days throughout the year, although they are most common in the summer and early autumn. The caterpillars feed on common nettles.
How to identify
The red admiral is mainly black, with broad, red stripes on the hindwings and forewings, and white spots near the tips of the forewings.
Did you know?
Most red admirals are migrants to the UK from North Africa and continental Europe, arriving in spring and laying eggs that hatch from July onwards. But some adults manage to survive the winter by hibernating here.
How people can help
To attract butterflies, such as the red admiral, into your garden, plant nectar-rich borders for them to feed along and climbing ivy and shrubs for overwintering insects.
