Red Admiral

Despite the strong blustery winds this red admiral would not let go of the leave and it was not until the sun disappeared behind a cloud before it flew off.

Did you know that their eggs are laid singly on the upper leaves of nettles - usually in the middle of large patches. When fully grown the caterpillar chews part way through a nettle stem causing it to fall over. It then spins together several of these, now downward pointing, leaves to create a shelter in which to pupate.