I was looking out my kitchen window and heard a slow crunching coming from the drying stinging nettles hanging next to me. It was a sad crunching, like someone who once had an abundant life, and was now squeezing joy and sustenance from a dry old shell of a leaf. Turns out it’s a Red Admirable (Vanessa atalanta) caterpillar, which primarily feed on nettles (Urtica spp.). According to Wikipedia: “Atalanta (its species name) is a figure in Greek mythology, a strong yet feminine woman who faces obstacles and backlash for refusing to follow gender norms.” Between this and its persistence in the face of a drying world, it certainly is an admirable creature. I put it back in the nettles patch - there’s enough for both of us. #redadmiral #redadmirable #venessaatalanta #urticadioica #urtica #stingingnettle #nettle #strongandfeminine (at South West Philadelphia)
PS thanks to the Butterfly and Moth Caterpillars of the Eastern United States facebook group for the ID help!
