Catch'Um binoculars logoCatch’Um
Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) wildlife photograph

Field guide · common

Red Admiral

Velvet black wings barred scarlet — nettles-to-nectar icon of British summers.

Least Concern

Vanessa atalanta

Overview

Red admirals are striking nymphalid butterflies with black wings crossed by bold scarlet bands and white apical spots. They breed on nettles in Britain, feast on garden buddleia and fallen fruit, and include both resident and migratory individuals depending on the season.

For UK collectors, the red admiral is a garden classic — scarlet flash on buddleia, nettle patch breeder, and one of the easiest spectacular butterflies to log.

Habitat

  • Garden flower border
  • Nettle patch
  • Woodland ride
  • Coastal scrub

Gardens, woodland rides, farmland edges, and coasts across the UK wherever nettles for larvae and nectar or rotting fruit for adults are available.

Countries found

Field notes

Field scale for the Red Admiral: length around Wingspan 6-7 cm. Typical lifespan: Adults typically live a few weeks; migratory generations span seasons.

When you are scanning habitat, prioritise garden flower border, nettle patch, woodland ride, and coastal scrub. Those settings are where a clean look and a usable photo are most likely.

Quick ID anchor: Velvet-black wings with a continuous scarlet band and white apical spots. Confirm with behaviour and habitat before you log the discovery.

Diet

Adults take nectar from buddleia, hemp agrimony, and ivy, plus juices from fallen fruit.

Larvae feed on leaves of common nettle (Urtica dioica).

Behaviour

Territorial adults bask and chase rivals along sunny edges.

Migrate and disperse widely; some attempt to overwinter in Britain.

How to identify

Velvet-black wings with a continuous scarlet band and white apical spots.

Underside is mottled brown for camouflage when wings are closed.

Interesting facts

  1. 01

    Black wings with a vivid scarlet band and white forewing tips.

  2. 02

    Caterpillars feed on common nettles.

  3. 03

    Adults love buddleia, ivy blossom, and fermenting fruit.

  4. 04

    Strong flier — many British individuals are migrants.

  5. 05

    Can be seen from spring into late autumn in mild years.

  6. 06

    One of Britain’s most recognisable garden butterflies.

Conservation status

LC: Least Concern

Red admirals are Least Concern and generally thriving in the UK. Milder winters and garden nectar plants have helped them remain a familiar sight.

Sources: IUCN Red List

Keep exploring

Where it lives

Related discoveries

Free on iOS

Catch the Red Admiral

Spot one in the wild, then scan it in Catch'Um to log your common discovery.