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:
Smaller, and looks brightly coloured on the wing. Blue patches on wing edges
Wingspan ♂50mm and ♀57mm
Largest vanessid, appears dark in flight but with distinctive red bands
Wingspan ♂70mm and ♀74mm
Fast flying, looks pale in flight, dull yellow-brown
Wingspan ♂65mm and ♀70mm
Strong flier, looks dark in flight, unmistakable "eyes" on fore and hind wings
Wingspan ♂65mm and ♀70mm
Smaller, orange with dark spots and very scalloped wing margins
Wingspan ♂55mm and ♀58mm
See also
UK Butterflies
page on the group
Page written and compiled by Steve Head
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:
Largest vanessid, appears dark in flight but with distinctive red bands
Wingspan ♂70mm and ♀74mm
Fast flying, looks pale in flight, dull yellow-brown
Wingspan ♂65mm and ♀70mm
Strong flier, looks dark in flight, unmistakable "eyes" on fore and hind wings
Wingspan ♂65mm and ♀70mm
Smaller, and looks brightly coloured on the wing. Blue patches on wing edges
Wingspan ♂50mm and ♀57mm
Smaller, orange with dark spots and very scalloped wing margins
Wingspan ♂55mm and ♀58mm
See also
UK Butterflies page on the group
Page written and compiled by Steve Head