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| UK Status |
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| Resident |
A species which is continually Resident in the UK with stable breeding populations. |
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| Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Migrant in the UK. It may be able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Migrants are normally reported in the UK every year. |
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| Rare Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Rare Migrant in the UK. It may able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Rare Migrants may not be seen for many years. |
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| Extinct |
A species which is Extinct in the UK, usually as a result of habitat loss. |
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| Introduction |
A species which ocurs in the UK as an accidental introduction. |
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Description
The Red Admiral is a common and regular migrant to the UK which in mild winters also survives here (primarily in the south of England) so some of the population are from resident stock.
This large black butterfly with a flash of vivid orange-red across its forewings and around the edge of its rear wings and a splatter of white spots towards its wing-tips is a common sight in our gardens during mid-late summer. They are often found nectaring on garden Buddleias Michaelmas Daisy or Ice Plant or during late summer/early autumn seen feeding often in large numbers on flowering Ivy and rotting fruit in gardens and orchards.
Sightings of the Red Admiral can continue well into November on sunny days and they are often reported during December, January and February when almost all other species of butterfly are unlikely to be seen.
Habitat
Anywhere in the UK where abundant nectar sources are available and Common Nettle the larval food plant can be found.
Larval Food Plants
Primarily Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) is used. Small Nettle (Urtica urens) Pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria judaica) and Hop (Humulus lupulus) are also used. |
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| Stock Photography Library |
| We have 12 photographs of the Red Admiral in the British Butterflies photo library |
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BB1668 - Red Admiral
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BB1667 - Red Admiral
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BB1666 - Red Admiral
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BB1665 - Red Admiral
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BB1664 - Red Admiral
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BB1016 - Red Admiral
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BB555 - Red Admiral
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BB141 - Red Admiral
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| Distribution |
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| This familiar butterfly can be found anywhere in Britain in almost all habitat types. It is a strong flyer and is known to migrate from continental Europe to the UK every year. Global warming will no doubt help it to become firmly established as a resident species in the future across Britain. |
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| Where to see the Red Admiral |
| This familiar butterfly can be found anywhere in Britain in almost all habitat types. It is a strong flyer and is known to migrate from continental Europe to the UK every year. Global warming will no doubt help it to become firmly established as a resident species in the future across Britain. |
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| Population Trends |
| species status |
the Red Admiral is a migrant species in Britain |
| population trend1 |
(1995-2004)  down by -38% |
(1976-2004)  up by 350% |
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1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M.
(2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
| UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Status |
| UK BAP status2 |
not listed (link) |
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| 2 For more information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species status, visit www.ukbap.org.uk. |
| IUCN Category Status |
| IUCN category3 |
 least concern4 |
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3 Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4 More information about IUCN categories available here. |
| Find Out More Online* |
| More information about the Red Admiral can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site. |
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Aberrations and Forms |
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| We currently know of 3 named aberrant forms of the Red Admiral. More information about aberrants can be found here. |
 ab. klemensiewiczi - Schille (1896) |
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| ab. nana - Schultz (1905) |
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| ab. umbrosa - Fischer (1908) |
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| References |
| The information on this web site comes from a variety of freely available resources including books, academic reports and web sites alongside my own personal observations of butterflies. The species descriptions are currently in the process of being edited (spring 2009) to include new data, recent personal observations and referencing following a major update to the site.
A complete list of references mentioned in the text on this web site is available here. |
| * External Links Disclaimer |
| This web site includes links to information provided by external web sites which are not in any way under the control of www.britishbutterflies.co.uk. We cannot, therefore, be held responsible for the content of external web pages. |
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64-78mm
