Red Admiral butterfly – 5/19/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/19/19

Observation Time: 3:08 p.m.

Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail

Common Name: Red Admiral butterfly

Scientific Name: Vanessa atalanta

Comments: Mating usually occurs in late fall or early winter following collective migration to southern regions with a warmer climate. The red admiral’s main host plant, stinging nettle, is most abundant during this migration. Larval development proceeds through winter and adults are first sighted in early spring. The new generation of adults migrates north before mating, because food is usually diminished by late spring. During migration, the red admiral flies at high altitudes where high-speed winds carry the butterfly, requiring less energy.

More Information: Wikipedia