BUTTERFLIES

RED ADMIRAL:

The Latin name for the red admiral is Vanessa atalanta.

The red admiral is native to northern Africa and southern Europe, with its range extending eastwards to central Asia.

This is a large and easily recognisable butterfly with a wingspan of up to 7.5cm.
The male and female are very similar. The wings are velvety-black, marked with a diagonal band of red or orange, plus patches of white. The undersides are similar but slightly duller. 

The eggs of this butterfly are laid singly on nettles and produce solitary spiny caterpillars.