Monday, August 27, 2018

Invasion of 'Red Admiral' Butterflies

I named this post 'Invasion of Red Admiral butterflies' because they are everywhere in my garden. I don't know why but I've read it happened due to the hot summer this year. Here is what I learned about 'Red Admiral' (Vanessa atalanta):
"The wingspan can reach 76 mm. These butterflies are found from the tundra areas to the subtropics. Females lay one egg each on nettle leaves, which serves as a food for hatched caterpillars. Before turning into a chrysalis, they fold the nettle leaf into a "bag" and entangle it with a silk thread. Unlike many other butterflies, red admirals prefer gum from trees and the juice of rotting fruit to nectar". (wiki)













Butterfly invasion continues for several days. They are everywhere: 
on a Physocarpus opulifolius bush, 
on a drainpipe, 
on a water barrel, 
on a greenhouse, 
on an old towel, 
on a Elaeagnus argentea bush, etc. 
I've taken macros to see a head and a body of Red Admiral. Watching close I guess it looks like an alien.

Here is a vase with Callistephus and Cineraria leaves:



 

43 comments:

  1. If your garden is going to be invaded then I think these are very welcome invaders and I am sure they bring you happiness. Enjoy them while you may because autumn is looming quickly.

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    1. You're right David. autumn quickly comes I think butterflies are feeling this summer ends and hurry to enjoy it.

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  2. Надежда очаровательная бабочка!Прекрасные фотографии.
    У нас этих бабочек не много,,пролетают иногда,,мне они очень нравятся за красоту..

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    1. Удивительные бабочки и в большом количестве поселились в моем саду в это лето, Надежда. Красиво видеть как мелькают их пестрые крылышки.

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  3. A lot of butterflies is so much fun. I have had them for years in the garden. But this year, I have not seen more than two. Probably they are all in your garden Nedesda! Groetjes Hetty

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    1. Ha ha, maybe, Hetty! But what special did they find in my garden? However they are everywhere.

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  4. A delightful invasion of beauty and you took great pictures. Your arrangement is very pretty!

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    1. I'm glad you liked my vase, thank you Peter!

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  5. You are very lucky, Nadezda! I usually have them here too, but not this summer. Maybe they have flown to you :)
    Lovely photos!
    Happy new week, hugs!

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    1. Marit, I think butterfly's move depends on the temperatures that have been unusual this summer months.
      Or maybe they all are in my garden :-)

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  6. It's such a beautiful butterfly. Have a nice new day Nadezda!

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  7. Bellissime! Nell'altro terreno ce ne sono molte ma non sono mai riuscito a fotografarle :D

    Buona serata e complimenti!

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    1. Glad you liked my photos of a lot of butterflies, pontos.

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  8. We only see the occasional red admiral. Our most prolific butterflies are the large and small whites that are always trying to devastate our brassicas. I think many film aliens and monsters are inspired by insects.

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    1. I agree Sue, many insects look like aliens. We only have to observe them closely.

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  9. Beautiful photos, Nadezda! I love butterflies.
    Have a nice week

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  10. Muy bonitas fotografías. Está mariposa también se ve por aquí. Besitos.

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    1. Si Teresa estas mariposas se ven en muchas partes de Europa, gracias.

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  11. You are so lucky. I haven't seen one Red Admiral this year, plenty common whites and peacocks. Your pictures are extremely good. The weather has turned cooler here, hope we get a reasonable spell in September.

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    1. Alistair, autumn is not far and the weather changes here too. But butterflies are still in my garden, until cool days I suppose. I haven't seen peacocks this summer at all.

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  12. Red Admirals are one of my favourite butterflies, but I have only seen a few. You're so lucky to see a whole lot of them. Earlier in the Spring I saw many butterflies (though not Red Admirals) and it did my heart good.

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    1. Yes, I am Jenny. Black with red strips and white points wings appear in the parts of the garden, it's beautiful.

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  13. Nadezda -- You got some great close-ups of the Red Admiral. I was so surprised to see how HAIRY he is.

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  14. We have lot of red admirals in our garden too! It is fun to have butterflies in garden! We also had quite a lot of peacocks, fritillarias and cabbage whites this year.

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    1. Yes it's fun, Tistou. I think flocks of Red admiral decided to visit the Baltic area and our gardens:-)

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  15. Your photos are beautiful Nadezda. How lucky you are to have so many Red Admirals come and visit. Will the caterpillars damage your plants?
    Enjoy the week-end.

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    1. Fortunately Red admiral caterpillars grow on nettle leaves, Betty. There are no nettle in my garden so I can't understand where they are from:-)

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  16. Great photos, Nadezda!
    We too had a sunny and warm summer, but I haven't seen any Vanessas. Now the weather is cooler and rainier and it feels very nice. :)
    My first comment disappeared (probably because of some network problems). I hope this one comes through.
    Can you imagine: I didn't buy anything in Kew, because of time and space issues. :)
    Have a happy weekend!

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    1. Sara, the weather here is the same yours. I think butterflies will disappear soon, but they still are in the garden. It's a pity you haven't bought souvenirs in Kew shop...so the next time!

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  17. Great photos! We have the same butterfly here! Sometimes they land right on my shirt.

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  18. Stunning pictures of a wonderful butterfly!Love your floral bouquet too!

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    1. I'm glad you liked my pictures,
      thanks for stopping by, Maristella:

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  19. We have seen similar butterflies here, only orange. You have some amazing close-up shots of these lovely pollinators. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. You're welcome, Lee.
      Interestingly to see orange Admirals!

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  20. Bellisimas fotos Nadezda. Me encantan las mariposas.
    Regresando de un verano muy complicado. Ya todo está bien.
    Besos.

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  21. Preciosas fotos Nadezda, esta es una hermosa mariposa y que aquí también abunda. Besos.

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    1. Si, es muy preciosa, Lola. Y esta aqui un monton de estas!

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