Red Admiral (LEP143) Vanessa atalanta

This caterpillar feeds on nettle almost everywhere from the sub-Arctic well into the tropics. Red Admirals are frequently found basking in the sun and visiting rotting fruit and fresh flowers, such as the gumweed shown in the drawing. The wings are deep velvety black. The bands are vermilion red, with black dots in the band on the hindwing, ending in two blue spots near the body. The forewing tips have white spots, and white crescents run all around the wing margins. The species is commonly observed throughout North America.