Vanessa atalanta in Crete, Greece (Red Admiral)

Vanessa atalanta, Crete - photo © Ch. Almpantakis

Vanessa atalanta

BUTTERFLY INFO

Vanessa atalanta is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae on the island of Crete, Greece.

Scientific name

Vanessa atalanta (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common name

Red Admiral

Classification

Family: Nymphalidae > Subfamily: Nymphalinae > Tribus: Nymphalini > Genus: Vanessa

Wingspan

Male to female: 55-60 mm

Appearance

Both sexes have a similar appearance. The upper side of their forewings is dark brown near the inner margin in the basal area, and black in color with white spots in the triangle formed by the apex, external margin, and costa. There is a characteristic red band crossing the wing from the anal angle to the costa.

On the underside of the forewings, there is the same red band and several white marks on a black background where there are also yellow, brown, and blue marks.

The upper side of the hindwings is dark brown colored with a red band in the submarginal area and small blue marks. The underside is also dark brown with various colors and shapes forming a complicated pattern.

Behavior

Males are highly territorial, chasing after Commas and Peacocks as well as other Red Admirals. Vanessa atalanta is one of the more intelligent butterfly species; they can habituate. Upon entering their territory an intruder is immediately investigated.

In the case of human intruders, Vanessa atalanta will circle around several times and will try to ascertain whether the person poses a threat. If he or she appears to be harmless the butterfly gets progressively braver.

At night or on cold overcast days, and during the winter months, they roost head-downwards on the trunks or lower branches of trees, where the dark underside of the wings provides them excellent camouflage.