Red admiral vs American lady
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a red admiral from an American lady, and whether either one bites or stings.
Red admiral
Vanessa atalanta
American lady
Vanessa virginiensis
≠The key differences
American lady has two large eye spots on the underside of the hindwing and different white spot arrangement on the forewing tip; smaller and more orange-brown overall.
Red admiral has bold black wings with red bands across the forewing and hindwing and lacks the pair of rounded underside hindwing eyespots of the American lady.
⚖︎Side by side
| Red admiral | American lady | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
| Size | Wingspan about 50-70 mm | 45-60 mm wingspan |
| Colours | Black, Red-orange, White, Brown (underside) | Orange, Black, White, Brown |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Nymphalidae |
| Habitat | Open woodlands, gardens, parks, hedgerows and edges of fields; also urban areas where nectar sources and nettles occur. | Open, sunny habitats: gardens, meadows, roadsides, fields and open woodland edges; also urban gardens and parks. |
| Range | Widespread across temperate Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America; migratory populations expand seasonally. | Widespread across North America: from southern Canada through the United States into northern Mexico. Common regionally throughout its range. |
| Active | Spring to autumn in temperate zones; adults are diurnal and most active during warm, sunny days. | Active during warm months; often seen from spring through fall (regional), daytime (diurnal). |
| Pest? | No | No |
🔍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.
🔍How to spot an American lady
- Look for two prominent rounded eyespots on the underside of the hindwing (one usually larger).
- Orange-brown upperwings with a black forewing tip that bears pale spots.
- Wingspan about 45-60 mm; underside mottled browns and grays when wings are closed for camouflage.
- Compare with painted lady: American lady usually has two prominent hindwing eyespots while painted lady (Vanessa cardui) has smaller and more numerous spots on the underside.
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a red admiral and an American lady?
American lady has two large eye spots on the underside of the hindwing and different white spot arrangement on the forewing tip; smaller and more orange-brown overall. Red admiral has bold black wings with red bands across the forewing and hindwing and lacks the pair of rounded underside hindwing eyespots of the American lady.
Is a red admiral or an American lady more dangerous?
Red admiral: Non-toxic. American lady: Non-toxic. Red admirals do not bite or sting and are not poisonous. Harmless.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.