Yellow Admiral, upper .
Photo: Euan Moore
Yellow Admiral, underside
Photo: Euan Moore
Scientific Name: Vanessa itea
Other Common Names: Australian Admiral, Admiral, Kahukōwhai (Māori)
Family of Butterflies: Nymphalidae (Browns and Nymphs)
Wingspan: 50mm
Museum specimens.
Photo: Tony Morton.
Note 1: The upper side of wings shown in butterfly on the left. The underside of the wings shown in the butterfly on the left. Males and females are similar.
Note 2: The plant name on the bottom right refers to the plants upon which the butterfly larvae
(caterpillars) feed.
Local observations: There are several records of this species from across the Mount Alexander region on
both Atlas of Living Australia and iNaturalist.
| Tony Morton’s documented records of Yellow Admiral from the local area (between 2000 to 2013) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Location | Notes |
| 29-Aug-2013 | Vaughan garden | |
| 27-Mar-2012 | Kalimna Point | on sap oozing from Small Sugar Gum(?) |
| Between Jan 2005 to Oct 2006 | Kalimna Park | Multiple occurences |
| 5-Sep-2005 | Vaughan walk | |
| 17-Oct-2003 | Vaughan | fresh |
| 28-Sep-2000 | Irishtown Track, Irishtown | |
| 21-Sep-2000 | Vaughan |
Distribution outside our region: In Victoria, most records are from the south of the state, particularly around Melbourne and Geelong. There are records from most other areas although few records from the drier areas of north-west Victoria. Outside Victoria records are mainly from south-east Queensland, eastern NSW, south-east South Australia and the west coast of Western Australia ref: Atlas of Living Australia. This species also occurs in New Zealand ref: iNaturalist.
Larval Host Plants: Shade Pellitory (Parietaria debilis) and nettles (Urtica spp.), including the introduced Stinging Nettle (Urtica urens)
Larval association with ants: None.
Adult Flight Times in Victoria: Adults have been recorded during all months in Victoria, with a peak from September to January. Usually one of the first spring butterflies in Victoria. They fly fast, and close to ground and will bask with wings open. Several generations completed each year.
Conservation Status:
- The Action plan for Australian Butterflies: No Conservation Significance
Other Notes: Resident and moderately common the Mount Alexander Shire, particular in
urban areas and wetter locations supporting nettles.
References and further reading:
Atlas of Living Australia – Vanessa itea, Yellow Admiral
iNaturalist – Vanessa itea, Yellow Admiral.
Braby, Michael F., Second edition 2016. The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia. CSIRO Publishing.
Field, Ross P., 2013. Butterflies: Identification and Life History. Museum Victoria.