Stock photography picture of Butterfly Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta feeding on Victoria Plum fruit Norfolk UK August

AY84AR - Licenced Caption Butterfly Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta feeding on Victoria Plum fruit Norfolk UK August Description Red admiral butterfly Vanessa atalanta A very attractive red and black butterfly that is a common visitor to garden flowers. Statistics Wingspan: 60mm. Physical Description Red admirals are mostly black with red bands on the upper wings and red borders on the bottom half of the lower wings. The upper wings have a pattern of white markings near the tips. Red colouration varies from dark red to orange red. The caterpillars vary in colour from black to greenish-grey with a yellow line along each side. The upper surface is covered with a row of spines. Distribution They are widespread in Europe, North America, North Africa and Asia. Habitat Red admirals are found from sea level up to 2,000m in woodlands, orchards and gardens. Diet Caterpillars feed on nettle, spinning leaves together to make a tent-like shelter. The adults feed from flowers such as buddleia and also from rotting fruit. Keywords ground, fallen, fruit, sugaring