September 27, 2025

Red Admiral

Red Admiral sunbathing.

Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta

Conservation status: Common

When to see: January to December

About

The red admiral butterfly is a stunning sight to behold with its black, white, and red wings. It is a frequent visitor to gardens, where it can be seen gracefully feeding on buddleia and other flowers. However, this butterfly is not limited to gardens alone, as it can be found in a variety of habitats ranging from seashores to mountains. Interestingly, red admiral butterflies are known to hibernate and can be spotted flying on warm days throughout the year. Although they are most commonly seen during the summer and early autumn months. If you’re looking to attract these beautiful creatures to your garden, consider planting common nettles, as their caterpillars feed on them.