Painted lady vs Red admiral
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a painted lady from a red admiral, and whether either one bites or stings.
Painted lady
Vanessa cardui
Red admiral
Vanessa atalanta
≠The key differences
Red admiral has a bold red band across the forewing and fewer white spots on the black wing tips; painted lady lacks the red band.
Painted lady lacks the broad red-orange forewing band and has a different pattern of pale spots and black eyespots on the hindwing; overall paler and more mottled.
⚖︎Side by side
| Painted lady | Red admiral | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
| Size | 45-65 mm wingspan | Wingspan about 50-70 mm |
| Colours | Orange, Black, White, Brown (underside) | Black, Red-orange, White, Brown (underside) |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Nymphalidae |
| Habitat | Open sunny sites: meadows, gardens, roadsides, disturbed ground and agricultural margins | Open woodlands, gardens, parks, hedgerows and edges of fields; also urban areas where nectar sources and nettles occur. |
| Range | Nearly worldwide: Europe, Asia, Africa, North and Central America and many islands; absent from South America and Antarctica, and only a rare vagrant in Australia (where the similar Australian painted lady occurs) | Widespread across temperate Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America; migratory populations expand seasonally. |
| Active | Active in warm months; multiple generations per year in warm regions, year-round in some tropical areas; diurnal (day-active) | Spring to autumn in temperate zones; adults are diurnal and most active during warm, sunny days. |
| Pest? | No | No |
🔍How to spot a painted lady
- Orange-brown wings with black markings and white spots on the black forewing tips.
- Underside of hindwing has several small eyespots (typically four) visible when wings are closed.
- Medium size with a wingspan about 45-65 mm and a robust, hairy body.
🔍How to spot a red admiral
- Black wings with a bright red-orange transverse band across fore- and hindwings.
- White spots on the black forewing tips (apical area).
- Mottled brown underside of hindwing that looks cryptic when wings are closed.
- Wingspan about 50-70 mm; strong, fast flight and often seen sunning or defending perches.
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a painted lady and a red admiral?
Red admiral has a bold red band across the forewing and fewer white spots on the black wing tips; painted lady lacks the red band. Painted lady lacks the broad red-orange forewing band and has a different pattern of pale spots and black eyespots on the hindwing; overall paler and more mottled.
Is a painted lady or a red admiral more dangerous?
Painted lady: Non-toxic. Red admiral: Non-toxic. Painted ladies do not bite or sting and are not poisonous. Red admirals do not bite or sting and are not poisonous.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.