Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
Last reviewed: May 2026
Red Admiral is known for its black wings with vibrant red-orange bands.
Host plants
Red Admiral caterpillars can only develop on their larval host plants. Plant one of these natives and you can host the full life cycle in your own yard (host plant associations per the Xerces Society (opens in new tab)).
- Urtica dioica — see Heartleaf Nettle (same genus)
- Urtica urens
- False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica)
Want Red Admiral in your yard? Open False Nettle in Pollinator Patch and plan an HOA-friendly garden around it for your region.
Family
Nymphalidae
Wingspan
45–55 mm
Active
April through September
Range
WA, AR, AZ, CO and 47 more states
How to identify it
Look for the bold black wings with bright red-orange bands and white spots near the wing tips.
Good to know
- Red Admirals are known for their strong migratory behavior
- Males are territorial and often perch on high points to watch for mates and rivals
- They are skilled at basking on rocks and tree trunks to regulate body temperature
Common questions
- What do Red Admiral caterpillars eat?
- Red Admiral caterpillars feed on Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, and Boehmeria cylindrica. These are the larval host plants the caterpillars must have to develop, per the Xerces Society and host plant records compiled from GBIF and iNaturalist.
- Where do Red Admiral live?
- Red Admiral is found across WA, AR, AZ, CO and 47 more states.
- When are Red Admiral active?
- Adult Red Admiral are typically on the wing from April through September.
Range and life-history data compiled from iNaturalist, GBIF, and the Xerces Society. Photo licensed cc-by-sa.