Adults prefer rotting fruit and tree sap but they will visit flowers when their preferred food sources are not available.
The genus Vanessa is Greek for butterfly. Atalanta was a legendary maiden in Greek mythology known for fleetness of foot.
Red Admirals are found in and around forest margins, parks, yards, marshes, seeps, meadows and clearings.
Each evening the males patrol for females. In the morning the mated females lay eggs singly or in small groups on the top of the host plant. The larvae use the host leaves and silk to create shelters from which they feed.
In the north there are usually 2 broods during the warmer months while in the south it is possible to find adults year round.
The male Red Admirals are very territorial. It is not uncommon to see them in the afternoon chasing other butterflies or even birds. They will even attempt to intimidate people by flying around them or by landing on them.
