Abyssinian Red Admiral
Vanessa abyssinica
This butterfly was observed at a roadside near Iten on the Elgeyo Escarpment, Kenya, July 2014.
The Abyssinian Red Admiral, like the Common Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta, generally shuns flowers and nectar. Instead it visits dung, carrion or sometimes sap wounds on trees for liquid sustenance. When temperatures are cool admirals perch on the ground or other sunny spot to gain insolation. I found nettle plants growing nearby which are probably the host plant for the larvae (caterpillars).