Red Admiral Butterflies are migratory butterflies that arrive in England around spring, although it is believed that more and more Red Admiral Butterflies overwinter in the south of England. The butterflies that hibernate in the south emerge around February and March and are usually joined by migratory butterflies around May to August.

The Red Admiral Butterfly is a well-known butterfly because it is a frequent visitor of gardens and because of its striking colourful wings which are black and brown with red stripes and white markings. The edges of the wings are also lined with white and the underside of the Red Admiral Butterfly is orange, blue and white.

Red Admiral Butterflies lay eggs on the tips of nettles. A grey-black caterpillar with short spines on the top of its body emerges from each egg. Each caterpillar also has a broken yellow line along each side of its body. This caterpillar wraps itself in a leaf to protect itself and also forms a chrysalis by spinning a silk case around itself. Inside the chrysalis the caterpillar transforms itself into a beautiful Red Admiral Butterfly.