Red admiral  (Vanessa atalanta)

This common migratory species has a wide distribution throughout Britain. Adults emerge after hibernation in January and March, and are joined by butterflies that have migrated from North Africa and southern Europe between May and August. As the summer progresses, further immigrants arrive from Spain and Portugal, and later still from central Europe and France (2). After mid-August red admirals in Britain begin to move southwards and the majority spend the winter in warmer climes (2). Globally, this butterfly has a wide distribution, and is known across central and southern Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America (2).

Occurs in a huge range of habitats, usually where the most important caterpillar foodplant, the common nettle (Urtica dioica) occurs (2). Adults are often seen in gardens feeding on nectar on buddleias (such as Buddleja davidii), or feeding on rotten fruit (2).