Another one of our early spring butterflies that is now on the wing is the red admiral (Vanessa atalanta). These pretty and colorful butterflies are also sometimes known as the red admirable, the northern hemisphere red admiral, or the northern red admiral. Like the common buckeyes, they are members of the brush footed butterfly family. They are common throughout most of the temperate northern hemisphere including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Europe, northern Asia, and Northern Africa. The first generation usually emerges from the pupa in early to mid March in the southern parts of its range. Some of those individuals will migrate into the northern parts of the range before breeding. Males are well known for their strong territoriality, and spend hours each day protecting their territories. Females will only mate with males that hold a territory. Larvae are usually found on nettles and other members of the Urticaceae family, while adults feed on many types of flowering plants as well as bird droppings, rotting fruit, and dung. This individual was in good condition and was probably fairly newly emerged. It was one of several that were fluttering around and drinking in rainwater that was on the plant leaves from the night before. Most, if not all of these early red admirals will head north before too long. Then we will have a short period without any before the next generation hatches out. Like so many other things in nature, we need to enjoy them while we can.