The Red Admiral is a medium-sized butterfly native to temperate regions of North Africa, Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia. While it typically prefers warmer climates, it migrates northward in the spring and even into autumn. The undersides of its wings are mottled brown and tan, while the upper sides are dark brown to black with a striking curved band of bright red.

“Red Admiral” by Ian Preston, licensed under (CC BY 2.0)

 

Red Admiral Facts

Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Nymphalinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 3/4 – 3 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Moist woods, yards, parks, marshes, seeps, and moist fields. During migrations, the Red Admiral is found in almost any habitat from tundra to subtropics.

 

🪴Host Plants

These are the plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)

• False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica)

• Pennsylvania Pellitory (Parietaria pensylvanica)

• Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Red Admiral butterflies feed on nectar from a variety of native flowers:

• Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

• Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)

• Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

• Vervain (Verbena spp.)