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Scientific Name : Vanessa itea Common Name : Australian admiral Description : Medium sized butterfly, wingspan over 60mm. Upper wings brightly coloured. Hind wings are dull redm with a black border and a row of blue spots near the edge. Fore wings are predominately black, but have a large central patch of yellow, with dull red on the inner side and white spots toward the tip. The underwing is quite different, with the hind wing dark brown with irregular markings, so that the butterfly is well-camouflaged when its wings are closed. The caterpillars feed on stinging nettles Urtica incisa. Habitat : Usually in wetter forested areas, wherever its food plant the stinging nettles grow. Distribution : East coast from Northern Queensland to Tasmania, and coastal South and West Australia. Common in the park in forested areas. Flying Season : September October November December January February March April Family : Nymphalidae

Available Images View At 50% | View At 100% Australian admiral butterfly. View At 50% | View At 100% Caterpillar of Australian Admiral on a Stinging Nettle (Urtica incisa) by the Weir Track View At 50% | View At 100% Caterpillar of Australian Admiral on a Stinging Nettle (Urtica incisa) by the Weir Track View At 50% | View At 100% Chrysalis of Australian Admiral from stinging nettles by the Weir Track View At 50% | View At 100% Chrysalis of Australian Admiral on a stinging nettle by the Jumbuk Road Track View At 50% | View At 100% Australian Admiral Butterfly View At 50% | View At 100% Australian Admiral Butterfly