Red Admiral Butterfly

[pelmetman]

Whilst we were having lunch today a small red admiral butterfly appeared in our sun lounge. Pretty sure it didn't come from outside. We do grow lots of indoor plants in this room and I'm wondering if it has just hatched out.

I'm going to leave it inside as it is still absolutely freezing here and it wouldn't last long outside - would it?

Does anyone know if there is anything we could put down for it to eat?

Sue

[Odsox]

It was almost certainly hibernating in you home somewhere, usually behind a curtain or somewhere similar. It needs to go back to sleep immediately or it will use up all it's food reserves before spring comes, so put it in the coolest place you have ... but not outside in a freezing shed.
We have the same thing happen here every year, although it's mainly tortoiseshells, we must have at least a dozen in various spots around the house at the moment.
Unfortunately I don't expect any will survive as they wake up far too early on sunny days long before spring arrives.