Best time to see: Apr to mid Oct
Key facts
An unmistakable large butterfly, vividly marked in red, black and white, and a regular visitor to gardens
Habitat: almost anywhere in Britain but especially where there is some shelter and plenty of flowers
Common and widespread throughout Britain and Ireland
Recognition
Velvet black upperwings with a scarlet band and white patches; wingspan up to 72 mm
Males establish territories along warm edges such as hedgerows and patrol these daily
Preoccupied with feeding in late summer, both from flowers and from rotting fruit
Lifecycle
Migrates from the Mediterranean in spring, some returning in the autumn to hibernate; few survive our winters
Eggs, pale green at first but darkening, are laid singly on stinging nettles and occasionally on hop plants
Caterpillars, with a yellow band along each side, feed on nettle, hidden in a tent of folded leaves
© Tony Gunton
© David Corke