Red admiral  (Vanessa atalanta)

Red admirals arriving in Britain following migration have usually mated before commencing their journey. Those that have overwintered in Britain mate after emergence.

Females lay their eggs singly on nettle leaves, and after about a week the eggs hatch (3). The caterpillars create a tent-like shelter from nettle leaves, in which they feed and pupate (3). The adults emerge after 2-3 weeks (3); they either hibernate or migrate southwards towards the end of summer. In southern Britain, it has been discovered that eggs and caterpillars are able to survive the winter, and emerge in the adult form in spring (2).