I cannot compete with Vince in terms of numbers, but I am still finding Red Admiral caterpillars in my local sheltered patch of nettles. I went and had a look today (29th), and found two occupied larval tents. The first was gaping a little at one end and its occupant was just about visible at the other.
This tent bears an remarkable similarity to one of those photographed by Vince.
The second was a more classic design with a whole leaf folded in two.
It was also clearly occupied. While confirming this by trying to observe it fully backlit by the sun, I found that the same nettle plant had two healthy-looking eggs in close proximity to each other on another leaf. The folded tent is in the background of the first shot.
I wonder what the attraction of this particular plant was?
I had observed a female butterfly here on 18th November, and then the same individual again on 25th November, so she may have been a frequent visitor to this favoured location and therefore quite likely responsible for both caterpillar and eggs despite their difference in age. The relevant plant is down at the bottom left of this shot of the hedge; a residential street is half a metre behind me!
Hopefully, I'll be able to relocate this spot over the coming days to monitor progress...
Dave
