Vanessa vulcania

Canary Red Admiral

euroButterflies

by Matt Rowlings

copyright © 2003-2024

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La Gomera, Spain, August 2021

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El Hierro, Spain, August 2021

Field notes and information

An endemic to the Macronesian islands host to laurisilva forests. It has been raised to specific rank, separating it from the Indian red admiral V. indica. There are no known populations of either species between India and the Canary Islands.

Identification & Similar species: Similar to the red admiral V. atalanta with which it can fly. Separation is easy as the red band on the forewing is broader and clearly notched in the current species.

Distribution & Flight: Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Hierro, Gomera and Madeira. Flies throughout the year when warm enough.

Habitat & Behaviour: The primary habitat is forest at higher levels. It can be found in urban areas at low levels too. A frequent visitor to flowers. Larvae feed on the nettle Urtica morifolia.

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Gran Canaria, Spain, April 2011

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El Hierro, Spain, August 2021

Flying in the vineyards, habitat shared with the El Hierro Grayling H. bacchus.

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Tenerife, Spain, April 2012

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Gran Canaria, Spain, April 2011

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Gran Canaria, Spain, April 2011

The red admiral V. atalanta (top) being chased by the Canary red admiral, V. vulcania.

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La Gomera, Spain, August 2021

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El Hierro, Spain, August 2021

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La Gomera, Spain, August 2021

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La Palma, Spain, August 2021

The butterfly escaped the spider after a long and highly energetic battle.

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Gran Canaria, Spain, April 2011

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Tenerife, Spain, April 2012

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Tenerife, Spain, April 2012

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Three Canarian endemics - G. cleobule, V. vulcania, C. webbianus.