Red Admiral


2-7-1997

A beauty, though small, stirs my curiosity as he flutters by, giving me very little time to capture his image with my camera. A Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta. A butterfly that you just might see if you put overripe fruit out on your back porch, since this is a favorite food. Also at the top of the culinary treats they enjoy, are sap flows in trees such as these, pictured below, created by Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers.

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The Red Admiral has a wing span of about 2 inches or just a smidgeon more, and appears to have bunches of nervous energy, much like a fidgety little kid.

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Here in central Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, there is an abundance of the native plant, Wood Nettle. As larvae, Red Admirals dine on plants of the nettle family, including Wood Nettle, Laportea canadensis. The image below is Wood Nettle, a perennial herbaceous plant with upper leaves that are alternate. The flowers you see in this photo are male flowers.

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Female flowers form on the same plant, and bloom at the top of the plant, as shown in the next image.

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This is not a plant that you want to brush against, since it causes an instant, unpleasant, burning and itching feeling. Fortunately this irritating sensation lasts for just a short time, but it’s best just to avoid it.

Given the wealth of Wood Nettle along the trails here in the mountains, I do not wonder at all why these beautiful butterflies accompany me as I hike these mountain trails.

2-7-1997

Butterflies mostly black, with brilliant red, bright blue, and striking white dots. I welcome their company.


5 responses to “Red Admiral”

  1. Will miss seeing lots of butterflies in our old Crofton yard, including the occasional Red Admiral visitor, but I love learning about/seeing your beautiful photos to help fill the void. Swapping fluttering butterflies for jumping fish LOL!

  2. So glad you read my post Diane. I’m very pleased that I can share my butterflies with you. I’m wondering if you’ll be seeing dragon flies along with your jumping fish. In any event, I know there will be loads of fascinating things for you to be enthralled with in your lovely new home!

    • LaVonne, thanks bunches! I surely can’t move as fast as these critters, but I try very hard to let my camera catch up with them! BTW, you may notice that the URL of this site has changed. I’m hoping that it will be a smooth transition. So glad you enjoyed the trip through butterflyland!