Brush-footed butterflies · Denmark

Red admiral

Vanessa atalanta

Red admiral is common in Denmark. Wing span: 50-60 mm – but individuals can also occur as small as 40 mm. The first migrant butterflies arrive late in May. Red admiral is found in gardens, parks, forests, wetlands, and other places where stinging nettle grows.

Status in this countryCommon in DenmarkLC (Least concern)

Flight period

The first migrant butterflies will arrive at the end of May. A new generation will appear at the end of July, and in August-October, the butterflies migrate south.

Habitat

Red admiral is found in gardens, parks, forests, wetlands, and other places where stinging nettle grows. It is attracted by many different flowers, for example, buddleja and goldenrod.

Identifying features

Wingspan: 50-60 mm, although individuals as small as 40 mm can occur. The hindwing has orange-red bands along the outer margin, with black spots.

Similar species

Beginners may confuse it with the painted lady. The painted lady has more orange than black or dark areas on the upper side of its wings, whereas the reverse is true of the red admiral.

Distribution

Red admiral is widespread throughout the country and can be found everywhere, from the smallest islands to a balcony in the city.

Biology

Red admiral rarely overwinters in Denmark. Instead, it migrates south between August and October and, with some luck, reaches an area south of the Alps, where it lays eggs shortly afterwards.