Admirals, tortoiseshells and their relatives - the "Vanessids"
 
 
The vanessid butterflies are named from the genus Vanessa, which includes the red admiral and the painted lady. This term is still in use among naturalists, but the butterflies in this group are now classified within the Tribe Nymphalini within the very large family Nymphalidae, which also includes the fritillaries (not normally found in gardens) and the Satyrinae or browns.  They share the feature of having reduced forelegs with brush-like hairs.
 
They are all colourful large butterflies, and strong fliers, with jagged wing outlines, and most overwinter as adults. Apart from wingspan there is little difference between the sexes, and the males do not have sex brands or androconia.
Five species are commonly seen in gardens:
 
Small tortoiseshell 
Smaller, and looks brightly coloured on the wing. Blue patches on wing edges
Wingspan 50mm and 57mm
Red admiral
Largest vanessid, appears dark in flight but with distinctive red bands
Wingspan 70mm and 74mm
Painted lady
Fast flying, looks pale in flight, dull yellow-brown
Wingspan 65mm and 70mm
Peacock
Strong flier, looks dark in flight, unmistakable "eyes" on fore and hind wings
Wingspan 65mm and 70mm
Comma
 
Smaller, orange with dark spots and very scalloped wing margins
Wingspan 55mm and 58mm
Be aware of:
 
Silver-washed fritillary
This magnificent butterfly is recorded in about 5% of gardens, usually near good quality woodland, especially in drought years when gardens offer a tempting nectar resource.  The male is a bright orange-yellow with prominent black sex brands on the fore-wing, and the female is a darker fawn.  The underside of the hind wing is washed with silver lines.
 
Taxonomically it is not a "vanessid", being a member of the related Tribe Argynnini, but its strong flight and patterning (not unlike the comma above) mean it is more likely confused with them than with the equally related "browns".
 
Wingspan 73mm and 76mm
See also
 
UK Butterflies page on the group
 
Page written and compiled by Steve Head
Male
Female
Admirals, tortoiseshells and their relatives - the "Vanessids"
 
 
The vanessid butterflies are named from the genus Vanessa, which includes the red admiral and the painted lady. This term is still in use among naturalists, but the butterflies in this group are now classified within the Tribe Nymphalini within the very large family Nymphalidae, which also includes the fritillaries (not normally found in gardens) and the Satyrinae or browns.  They share the feature of having reduced forelegs with brush-like hairs.
 
They are all colourful large butterflies, and strong fliers, with jagged wing outlines, and most overwinter as adults. Apart from wingspan there is little difference between the sexes, and the males do not have sex brands or androconia.
Five species are commonly seen in gardens:
 
Red admiral
Largest vanessid, appears dark in flight but with distinctive red bands
Wingspan ♂70mm and ♀74mm
Painted lady
Fast flying, looks pale in flight, dull yellow-brown
Wingspan ♂65mm and ♀70mm
Peacock
Strong flier, looks dark in flight, unmistakable "eyes" on fore and hind wings
Wingspan ♂65mm and ♀70mm
Small tortoiseshell 
Smaller, and looks brightly coloured on the wing. Blue patches on wing edges
Wingspan ♂50mm and ♀57mm
Comma
 
Smaller, orange with dark spots and very scalloped wing margins
Wingspan ♂55mm and ♀58mm
Be aware of:
 
Silver-washed fritillary
Male
Female
This magnificent butterfly is recorded in about 5% of gardens, usually near good quality woodland, especially in drought years when gardens offer a tempting nectar resource.  The male is a bright orange-yellow with prominent black sex brands on the fore-wing, and the female is a darker fawn.  The underside of the hind wing is washed with silver lines.
 
Taxonomically it is not a "vanessid", being a member of the related Tribe Argynnini, but its strong flight and patterning (not unlike the comma above) mean it is more likely confused with them than with the equally related "browns".
 
Wingspan ♂73mm and ♀76mm
See also
 
UK Butterflies page on the group
 
Page written and compiled by Steve Head
       Garden Wildlife
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