Red Admiral - high flying visitor to Britain

This fairly large black, white and red butterfly is common in Britain and a frequent visitor to our gardens where it can be spotted feeding on buddleia and other flowers.

It can also be found in all kinds of other habitats, from seashores to mountains! Adults sometimes hibernate, and may be seen flying on warm days throughout the year, although they are most common in the summer and early autumn. The caterpillars feed on common nettles.

This butterfly is primarily a migrant to our shores, although sightings of individuals and immature stages in the first few months of the year, especially in the south of England, mean that this butterfly is now considered resident. It is thought that this resident population is only a small fraction of the population seen in the British Isles, which gets topped up every year with migrants arriving in May and June from central Europe. Unfortunately, most individuals are unable to survive our winter, especially in the cooler regions of the British Isles.

The number of adults seen in any one year is therefore dependent on the number of migrants reaching the British Isles and numbers fluctuate as a result. In some years this butterfly can be widespread and common, in others more scarce. This is a widespread species and can be found anywhere in the British Isles, including Orkney and Shetland.

In northern Europe, the Red Admiral is one of the last butterflies to be seen before winter sets in, often feeding on the flowers of ivy on sunny days. It can even sometimes be seen flying on sunny days in winter.

The males are territorial, and females will only mate with a male that holds territory. The male patrols its territory and chases off intruders.

Radar has indicated that the butterflies migrate at a great height, too high to be spotted by people on the ground.