Do you have a woodlot? Within this woodlot do you have plants that are an annoyance to you? My parents recently purchased 28 acres, most of it swampland, but nonetheless it is a beautiful piece of land.

However, there is that one area, with that one annoying plant - stinging nettle.

Every month, I hear my father complain about those awful plants. That is until now.

Stinging nettles are one of the first forest floor plants to appear in the spring, usually in early March, sprouting up from under last fall's dead leaf litter.

Each leaf is about 10 centimeter long, heart-shaped and has large teeth around the leaf edge.

On the plant's main stem, leaf stems and veins tiny hollow hairs are visible.

These tiny little hairs are what cause that awful stinging sensation on your skin.

When a human body brushes up against the plant, the tiny hairs break off and release an acid that irritates the skin.

The degree and length of the itch depend on an individual's skin sensitivity. Some people may suffer for 24 hours while others may only have the sensation for an hour.

Although this plant may sound horrific it is beneficial. The red admiral caterpillar depends on this plant for its growth, development and shelter.

The caterpillar, which can destroy a whole plot of stinging nettles, has varying degrees of color.

Dark forms are gray in color with black branching spines which are arranged in rows that extend lengthwise.

Pale forms also occur and they are either green or yellowish in color with pale spines and black markings.

If you have never seen a red admiral caterpillar, you may be more familiar with its adult form.

The butterfly can be found from April to late fall and may be seen in moist environments such as marshes, woods, fields and yards.

Their appearance is stunning especially since the black coloring extenuates the thick bright red/orange bands and white speckles located on their wings.

Red Admirals are considered to be people-friendly butterflies that will approach and perch on humans.

However, they may scare us away because of their fast jittery movements.

Just be patient and admire their beautiful coloring and before you know it you may have one land on you.

If you are interested in attracting the red admiral butterfly, consider planting composite flowers, such as milkweed, aster and alfalfa.

Admirals enjoy the sweet nectar from these plants.

For more information on butterfly gardening, call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County at 255-1183.

Renee Jensen is a community educator of environmental issues at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County.