23 Painted Lady

Vanessa cardui

Characteristics

Wingspan: 2.28–2.91 in (58–74 mm).

Flight season: April–October.

Nectar sources: Very varied.

Habitat: Heaths, meadows, farmland, parks, gardens.

The orange, black, and white upperwings of this medium-sized butterfly are distinctive. This is the world’s most widespread butterfly, found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica, although it is a year-round resident only in the warmer regions. Large numbers—sometimes many millions—migrate north and west from North Africa and the Middle East each spring, reaching as far northwest as Iceland. The longest migrations may be 9,320 miles (15,000 km). Similar northward movements take place in North America, where the butterfly is also known as the “cosmopolitan,” with painted ladies flying from Mexico into the United States and southern Canada.

The adults are not fussy feeders, visiting flowers of over 300 species of plants in search of nectar; thistles are particularly sought after. They also eat aphid honeydew. Males are territorial, waiting for females to enter their territory before engaging in courtship. Mating takes place throughout the year, including during migration, during which several generations may be produced. Females lay around 500 eggs, each laid singly on a host plant, commonly thistle, hollyhock, mallow, or milkweed.