An adult red admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) rests with its left wing damaged.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) — An adult specimen with a damaged left wing.

Creator: [Ernie](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wilder_Kaiser). Public domain, released by the author (Commons PD-self).

Licence: Public domain (author release; Commons PD-self)

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Species record

Red Admiral

Vanessa atalanta

Explore the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) species record in The Ark Is Earth, including classification, habitat, distribution, conservation information, and sources.

Summary

Red admirals are found across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, with established populations on islands including Hawaii and New Zealand. Caterpillars feed on nettle-family plants; adults drink flower nectar and also use fermenting sap and fruit.

Classification in this archive

  1. Kingdom: Animals
  2. Phylum: Arthropods
  3. Class: Insects
  4. Order: Butterflies and moths
  5. Family: Brush-footed butterflies
  6. Genus: Vanessa

Habitat and distribution

Selected documented locations — not a complete species range.

Habitat
moist open areas near woods, wetlands, bogs and fens
Selected regions
Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania

Conservation status

Conservation status not recorded.

Did you know?

  • A red admiral caterpillar uses silk to fasten leaves or leaf edges together, making a shelter.

More images

A red admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) feeds on a ripe pear.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) — A red admiral on a pear.

Creator: [Böhringer Friedrich](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:B%C3%B6hringer). CC BY-SA 3.0 Austria; also GFDL. Licence: [CC BY-SA 3.0 Austria deed](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/at/deed.en).

Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 Austria; also GFDL

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Sources and attribution