Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

Life is still hectic and fortunately the Buddleia is still attracting lots of butterflies. So to continue my "butterfly collection" I snapped this Red Admiral.

Found almost everywhere from the sea coast to the highest mountain this is another species which has the nettle as one of its main larval food plants. There are two main flight periods one being May/June and the other mid August to early October. Interestingly the caterpillar lives in a "tent" it makes by using silk to fasten the edges of leaves together, emerging to feed.