Yellow admiral

Appearance

It is a medium-sized butterfly, with a variable wingspan of 48 to 50mm in Tasmania, and 48 to 55mm in New Zealand. The upper side of the forewings are dark brown to black toward the outer edges, with three small white patches and a wide, bright yellow bar, and dull red nearer the body. The rear wings are dull red with a black border, and a row of black circles with light blue centres near the edge.

The underwings are very different - the rear wing is various shades of brown with cryptic, irregular markings; the underside of the forewing has a blue 'eye' on a black background that is highlighted by a yellow area above and below.

Distribution

Yellow admirals are relatively common throughout their range wherever their food plants occur. They prefer open country, wastelands and gardens where stinging nettles, ''Urtica incisa'' and ''Urtica urens'' are present. It is found at up to 1000m above sea level.

It is a strong, fast flier, and is thought to survive wind-blown travel from Australia to New Zealand, across the Tasman Sea.

Habitat

Yellow admirals are relatively common throughout their range wherever their food plants occur. They prefer open country, wastelands and gardens where stinging nettles, ''Urtica incisa'' and ''Urtica urens'' are present. It is found at up to 1000m above sea level.

It is a strong, fast flier, and is thought to survive wind-blown travel from Australia to New Zealand, across the Tasman Sea.

Reproduction

The eggs are light green, ribbed and barrel shaped. They are usually laid singly, sometimes in pairs, onto the nettle leaves that the larva will eat.The caterpillars vary from black to grey, yellow-green or brown, with lighter coloured lines and spots running laterally along its back. They are covered in several rows of spiny protrusions. They have six true legs, and ten prolegs.

They prefer to eat nettles and, depending upon availability, feed on ''Urtica incisa'', ''Urtica urens'', ''Parietaria debilis'', and ''Pipturus argenteus'', ''Parietaria australis'', ''Parietaria cardiostegia'', ''Parietaria judaica'', and ''Soleirolia soleirolii''. They feed at night; during the day they hide in a curled leaf for protection.

They grow to about 30mm long before pupating. The pupa is about 20mm long and is grey or brownish, with sharp bumps and has two white/silver spots on each side.