Akatateha (English spelling) Indian red admiral

This butterfly belongs to the order Lepidoptera, family Nymphalidae. It is widely distributed throughout Japan, including the Ryukyu Islands (Southwest Islands), and is commonly seen in various places. However, its fast flight makes it difficult to catch. Outside of Japan, it is found on the Korean Peninsula, throughout China, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, etc. It is also found in Spain and Portugal in Europe, and the Madeira and Canary Islands off the northwest coast of Africa, but it is said that these were artificially brought from India. The wingspan is about 60 mm. There is no difference in color or markings between males and females. In cold regions, it occurs once a year, but in the warm regions of southwest Japan, it is polyvoltine and occurs 3 to 4 times a year, and it can be seen almost all year round except in winter. The adults visit tree sap and flowers. The larvae feed on plants of the Urticaceae family, such as ramie (Mao), nettle, and in cold regions, they often feed on elm trees and zelkova trees. In rare cases, they also feed on plants of the Cannabaceae family. They overwinter as adults, but in warm regions, they sometimes overwinter as larvae. In Japan, a closely related species to this species is the Painted Lady Butterfly.

[Takashi Shiramizu]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

昆虫綱鱗翅(りんし)目タテハチョウ科に属するチョウ。琉球(りゅうきゅう)列島（南西諸島）を含む日本全土に広く分布し、各地に普通にみられる。しかし、その飛び方が速くて捕らえにくい。日本以外では朝鮮半島、中国全土、台湾、インド、スリランカなどに産する。ヨーロッパのスペイン、ポルトガル、アフリカ北西岸のマデイラ諸島やカナリア諸島にも産するが、これは人為的にインドから持ち込まれたものといわれている。はねの開張は60ミリメートル内外。雌雄による色彩や斑紋(はんもん)の差異はない。寒冷地では年1回の発生であるが、西南日本の暖地では多化性で年3～4回発生し、冬季を除いてほぼ年中その姿をみることができる。成虫は樹液や花にくる。幼虫の食草はカラムシ（マオ）、イラクサなどのイラクサ科植物、寒冷地ではニレ類やケヤキなどのニレ科植物につくことも多い。まれにアサ科植物にもつく。越冬態は成虫であるが、暖地ではときに幼虫で冬を越すこともある。日本では本種に近縁なものにヒメアカタテハがある。

［白水　隆］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例