The Skippers The Swallowtails The Whites and Sulphurs The Blues and Coppers The Gossamer-wings
Red Admiral - Vanessa atalanta
[Red Admiral image]
Red Admiral - Waverley, NS - 2012-08-03
Photo © Peter Payzant
Status in Nova Scotia
Fairly common. Can be abundant in good years.

Flight Period
Late April to early November. Migrates in; may overwinter at times; 2 or 3 broods.

Habitat
Gardens, roadsides, clearings.

Larval Foodplants
Stinging nettle (Urtica sp.) and Wood-nettle, Laportea canadensis.

Similar Species in Nova Scotia
None.

Notes
Adults come to flowers; Buddleja is very attractive to them.

Further Reading


Red Admiral - Waverley, NS, 2012-05-12
Red Admiral - Waverley, NS - 2012-05-12
2012-05-12
Photo © Peter Payzant
Red Admiral - Miller Rd., nr blueberry fields, NS, 2012-09-14
Red Admiral - Miller Rd., nr blueberry fields, NS - 2012-09-14
2012-09-14
Photo © Phil Schappert
Red Admiral - Apple River, NS, 2012-05-27
Red Admiral - Apple River, NS - 2012-05-27
2012-05-27
Photo © Kathleen F. Spicer
Red Admiral - West Apple River, NS, 2012-06-30
Red Admiral - West Apple River, NS - 2012-06-30
2012-06-30
Photo © Kathleen F. Spicer
Red Admiral - Brier Island, 2013-09-20
Red Admiral - Brier Island - 2013-09-20
2013-09-20
Photo © Peter Payzant
Red Admiral - Hammonds Plains, NS, 2010-08-10
Red Admiral - Hammonds Plains, NS - 2010-08-10
2010-08-10
Photo © Donna Evers
Red Admiral - Victoria Park, Truro, 2020-08-20
Red Admiral - Victoria Park, Truro - 2020-08-20
2020-08-20
Photo © William Crawford
Red Admiral - Victoria Park, Truro, 2020-08-20
Red Admiral - Victoria Park, Truro - 2020-08-20
2020-08-20
Photo © William Crawford