Red Admiral feeding on oak apple gall

[Butterfly_Julian]

Out walking around field margin behind our cottage this afternoon in North East Essex, once rain had stopped and sun was out I came across a few Red Admirals feed on Oak Apple Galls. Has this been noticed much before? New one on me.

[bugboy]

Never seen this either but I do know some of these galls exude a sticky substance.

[David M]

This species is drawn to anything with rotting sugar. They'll take near anything from fruits that are going over.

[Butterfly_Julian]

Thanks, will have to do a little research into oak apple gulls.
There was still plenty of other nectar sources around.

[SarahM]

I saw Red Admirals feeding on Oak apple galls in Norfolk two years ago while looking for Swallowtails. One field margin had a row of Oaks and there were Red Admirals in every tree that had the galls. They appeared to be feeding on a sticky substance.

[Butterfly_Julian]

Thanks Sarah, so similar time of year then. Hope you gound some Swallowtail , we had a hard time finding some last year. Got some on 2nd visit.