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It
seems a bit late in the year for butterflies, doesn't it? But you might have
noticed a large black and red butterfly in your garden recently: if so it's
likely a red admiral. This highly migratory species can still be found
fluttering around the county, but it won't be for long! This is one of the
last butterflies to be seen before winter arrives.
The
red admiral is a common and wide-ranging species found in North America,
Europe, parts of Asia and northern Africa. It can be found in almost any
habitat, and right now it can sometimes be seen in gardens sipping from
fruits rotting under trees. This sugary food provides lots of energy to help
the butterflies on their migration. The species is easily identified by its
dark brown wings with red bands and white spots. The underside of the wings
is mottled brown.
Red
admiral males are highly territorial. They arrive in spring from northern
Africa and southern Europe, stake out their place and defend it vigorously
against other males. One of their favourite sites is gardens, which provide
both shelter for protection and sunlight for warmth.
Female red admirals lay eggs one at a time, each on the tip of a growing
stinging nettle leaf. The dark, bristly caterpillars hatch about a week
later. Each makes itself a little 'tent' from a rolled up nettle leaf
fastened with silk. From its tent the caterpillar can go out onto the nettle
plant to feed on the leaves. After another four weeks the caterpillar makes
a second tent in which it pupates, emerging later as an adult red admiral.
Red
admirals feed on nectar from flowers. One of their favourites is buddleia,
also (and appropriately) called butterfly bush. They also like bramble,
teasel and thistles. In autumn they frequent orchards to feed on rotting
plums, apples and pears.
Photos: top, Luc
Viatour/www.lucnix.be;
middle showing underwing, Holger Gröschl; bottom a red admiral egg, Gilles
San Martin |
