British Butterflies - An Online Guide by Steven Cheshire
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UK Status  
Resident A species which is continually Resident in the UK with stable breeding populations.
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.
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.
Extinct A species which is Extinct in the UK, usually as a result of habitat loss.
Introduction A species which ocurs in the UK as an accidental introduction.
Red Admiral Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
(Linnaeus, 1758)

Family: Nymphalidae
UK Status: Migrant
wingspan64-78mm

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Nomenclature
Insecta (Insects): Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths): Nymphalidae (Family): Nymphalinae (Subfamily): Vanessa (Genus): atalanta (Species):
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.
Stock Photography Library
We have 12 photographs of the Red Admiral in the British Butterflies photo library
More photographs available
Image ID BB1668 - Red Admiral - © Debbie Cheshire
BB1668 - Red Admiral
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Image ID BB1667 - Red Admiral - © Debbie Cheshire
BB1667 - Red Admiral
DSC_7267.JPG
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Image ID BB1666 - Red Admiral - © Debbie Cheshire
BB1666 - Red Admiral
DSC_7261.JPG
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Image ID BB1665 - Red Admiral - © Debbie Cheshire
BB1665 - Red Admiral
DSC_1840.JPG
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Image ID BB1664 - Red Admiral - © Debbie Cheshire
BB1664 - Red Admiral
DSC_1823.JPG
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Image ID BB1016 - Red Admiral - © Steven Cheshire
BB1016 - Red Admiral
DSC_5715.JPG
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Image ID BB555 - Red Admiral - © Steven Cheshire
BB555 - Red Admiral
DSC_5588.JPG
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Image ID BB141 - Red Admiral - © Debbie Cheshire
BB141 - Red Admiral
DSCN9718.JPG
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More photographs available
More photographs available
Distribution  
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. Distribution of the Red Admiral shown in dark green.
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.
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%
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)
2 For more information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species status, visit www.ukbap.org.uk.
IUCN Category Status
IUCN category3 least concern least concern4
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.
Aberrations and Forms
We currently know of 3 named aberrant forms of the Red Admiral. More information about aberrants can be found here.
ab. klemensiewiczi - Schille (1896)
ab. nana - Schultz (1905)
ab. umbrosa - Fischer (1908)
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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Main Content More Content Further Information
Species List - Species List (text only) Photo Image Library Amphibians - Reptiles
Aberrant Forms - Known Aberrants List by Species Free documents and guides to download Dragonflies and Damselflies
  Distribution Maps & Flight Times   Gardening for Butterflies   Moths  
Lifecycle Charts - Illustrated Lifecycle Guide to Rearing British Butterflies Wild Flowers - Orchids
Protected Species & UK Law - Butterfly Collectors Technical Terms Recommended Web Links
Butterflies in Winter List of References - Book Reviews