Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Yellow Admiral Caterpillar

from nzButterfly.info by Robert Arter–Williamson (c)

from nzButterfly.info by Robert Arter–Williamson (c)

Vanessa itea (Fabricius)


Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae

Size range

  • About 30mm long

Distribution

  • Throughout NZ, low altitudes open country and gardens also occurs in Australia

Life History

  • Adults attracted to Buddleja and other flowers
  • Caterpillars feed on Urtica sp. preferably common nettles, Urtica urens

Additional images