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Life Stages Diagram
The bars in this diagram show approximate times of the year when the butterfly will be present, in Nova Scotia, in its various life stages.

The dates shown for the adult stage are based on actual reports for Nova Scotia. The majority of reports will be within the period shown, but small numbers of adults will be earlier or later.

Dates for egg, larva and pupa are based on what information was available regarding time periods for eggs to develop, and typical time required for pupation. Like the adults, some records can be expected outside the date ranges we have shown. We caution that dates for these immature stages are mostly conjectural.

OK
 Mourning Cloak
Painted Lady 
Red Admiral - Vanessa atalanta
[Red Admiral image]
Red Admiral - Waverley, NS - 2012-08-03
Photo © Peter Payzant
What's this?
Status in Nova Scotia
Fairly common. Can be abundant in good years.

Flight Period
Late April to early November. Migrates in; may overwinter at times; 2 or 3 broods.

Habitat
Gardens, roadsides, clearings.

Larval Foodplants
Stinging nettle (Urtica sp.) and Wood-nettle, Laportea canadensis.

Similar Species in Nova Scotia
None.

Notes
Adults come to flowers; Buddleja is very attractive to them.

Further Reading


Red Admiral - Waverley, NS, 2012-05-12
Red Admiral - Waverley, NS - 2012-05-12
2012-05-12
Photo © Peter Payzant
Red Admiral - Miller Rd., nr blueberry fields, NS, 2012-09-14
Red Admiral - Miller Rd., nr blueberry fields, NS - 2012-09-14
2012-09-14
Photo © Phil Schappert
Red Admiral - Apple River, NS, 2012-05-27
Red Admiral - Apple River, NS - 2012-05-27
2012-05-27
Photo © Kathleen F. Spicer
Red Admiral - West Apple River, NS, 2012-06-30
Red Admiral - West Apple River, NS - 2012-06-30
2012-06-30
Photo © Kathleen F. Spicer
Red Admiral - Brier Island, 2013-09-20
Red Admiral - Brier Island - 2013-09-20
2013-09-20
Photo © Peter Payzant
Red Admiral - Hammonds Plains, NS, 2010-08-10
Red Admiral - Hammonds Plains, NS - 2010-08-10
2010-08-10
Photo © Donna Evers
Red Admiral - Victoria Park, Truro, 2020-08-20
Red Admiral - Victoria Park, Truro - 2020-08-20
2020-08-20
Photo © William Crawford
Red Admiral - Victoria Park, Truro, 2020-08-20
Red Admiral - Victoria Park, Truro - 2020-08-20
2020-08-20
Photo © William Crawford