About New Zealand Red Admiral
An endemic New Zealand butterfly with striking red and black wing patterns. It is found throughout both main islands in bush margins and gardens. The larvae feed exclusively on native stinging nettle (ongaonga).
Did You Know?
Unlike most butterflies, the New Zealand red admiral overwinters as an adult and can sometimes be seen flying on warm winter days.
How to Identify New Zealand Red Admiral
New Zealand Red Admiral (Vanessa gonerilla) belongs to the order Lepidoptera, family Nymphalidae. Adults typically measure 50-60 mm wingspan.
New Zealand Red Admiral Habitat
New Zealand Red Admiral is found in gardens habitats, particularly across Oceania (New Zealand). This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.
New Zealand Red Admiral Diet and Feeding
New Zealand Red Admiral feeds on plant sap by piercing stems and leaves with specialised mouthparts. Sap feeders extract nutrients directly from the plant's vascular system.
Where Is New Zealand Red Admiral Found?
New Zealand Red Admiral can be found in Oceania (New Zealand), where it inhabits gardens environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.
Distribution Map
Where New Zealand Red Admiral can be found
Is New Zealand Red Admiral Dangerous?
New Zealand Red Admiral is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk. Like most insects, it prefers to avoid human contact and will typically flee rather than confront a perceived threat.
New Zealand Red Admiral Role in Nature
New Zealand Red Admiral is part of the food web as a primary consumer, feeding on plant material. It serves as an important food source for birds, bats, amphibians, and other insectivores, connecting plant energy to higher trophic levels.
Seasonal Activity
Frequently Asked Questions About New Zealand Red Admiral
What does New Zealand Red Admiral look like?
The New Zealand Red Admiral typically measures 50-60 mm wingspan.
Where is New Zealand Red Admiral found?
The New Zealand Red Admiral is found in Oceania (New Zealand) and typically inhabits gardens environments.
What does New Zealand Red Admiral eat?
The New Zealand Red Admiral feeds on plant sap by piercing stems and leaves.
Is New Zealand Red Admiral dangerous to humans?
The New Zealand Red Admiral is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk.
What is an interesting fact about New Zealand Red Admiral?
Unlike most butterflies, the New Zealand red admiral overwinters as an adult and can sometimes be seen flying on warm winter days.
Cite This Page
APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). New Zealand Red Admiral (Vanessa gonerilla). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/new-zealand-red-admiral
MLA:
"New Zealand Red Admiral." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/new-zealand-red-admiral.