Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
National Status
Found almost anywhere in the UK. Primarily a migrant but now overwintering in southern England. Population trend 10 years to 2016 -40%; since 1976 +257%. Numbers fluctuate depending on number of migrants reaching the UK each year.
West Midlands Status
In almost every tetrad, range stable. Population trend 10 years to 2016 – decreasing.
Red Admiral was recorded in 1260 squares in 2026
10 Year Trend Analysis
Habitat
Can be found almost anywhere.
Caterpillar Food Plant
The main foodplant is Common Nettle (Urtica dioica). Hop (Humulus lupulus), Pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria judaica) and Small Nettle (Urtica urens) are also used.
Refer to the Gardening for butterflies website by Joseph Shaffery for more details about caterpillar food plants and nectar sources.
Life Cycle
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Egg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larva | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pupa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adult | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flight Period
Most migrants arrive in May and June although they may also be seen earlier in the year. The single brood may emerge at any time between mid-August and late September, even into October.
First/Last Sightings 2026
| First Sighting | Recorded by | Last Sighting | Recorded by |
| 28 January | Shields , Jan | 19 October | B Daniels |
Distribution Map
Key
Total number of sightings per tetrad
Hotspots
Gardens and orchards especially in autumn.