Red admiral
Vanessa gonerilla gonerilla Fabricius
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Size range
- Wingspan 50–60 mm. Caterpillar grows to about 36mm.
Distribution
- Endemic species.
- Two subspecies, gonerilla Fabricius, on main islands and near offshore islands, ida Alfken on Chatham Island.
Life History
- Adult overwinters.
- Nectar plants such as Buddleia favoured by adults. Also seepage of sap from tree trunks, e.g. beech.
- Caterpillars feed on stinging nettles, Urtica spp, pulling the leaves together with a few silk strands to form a protective tent. Preferred foodplant Urtica ferox.
