Painted Lady
Painted Lady Vanessa cardui
Outside
Inside
Chrysalid
Painted Lady Vanessa cardui
Etymology: The genus Vanessa is Greek for butterfly. The origin of the specie cardui is currently unknown. Wing span: 2 - 2.6 inches (51 - 76 mm)
Order: Lepidoptera Family: Nymphalidae
Flights: There are multiple generations each year and because of their large range it is possible to find adults year round.
Habitat: Painted Ladies can be found in almost Fun Facts: Painted Ladies are known to take every type of habitat but they seem to be most long migratory flight from their over wintering abundant in the open country side. habitats. As is the case with many migratory species of butterflies the populations can have Host Plant: The larvae are known to feed on over significant fluctuations from location to 100 different plant species with thistles, nettles and location. mallows being some of their favorites. Another common name for the Painted Lady is Adult Food Source: Adults are known to feed the Cosmopolitan. from a variety of different nectar plants. Life History: In the afternoon the males patrol for Range: females. After mating the female will lay her eggs individually on the tops of the host plants leaves. When the eggs hatch the caterpillars construct an enclosure using the host plant and silk to use as a base for their feeding operations. The caterpillars will form their chrysalides on the host plant or on nearby plants or structures.
Outside
Inside
Chrysalid
Painted Lady Vanessa cardui
Etymology: The genus Vanessa is Greek for butterfly. The origin of the specie cardui is currently unknown. Wing span: 2 - 2.6 inches (51 - 76 mm)
Order: Lepidoptera Family: Nymphalidae
Flights: There are multiple generations each year and because of their large range it is possible to find adults year round.
Habitat: Painted Ladies can be found in almost Fun Facts: Painted Ladies are known to take every type of habitat but they seem to be most long migratory flight from their over wintering abundant in the open country side. habitats. As is the case with many migratory species of butterflies the populations can have Host Plant: The larvae are known to feed on over significant fluctuations from location to 100 different plant species with thistles, nettles and location. mallows being some of their favorites. Another common name for the Painted Lady is Adult Food Source: Adults are known to feed the Cosmopolitan. from a variety of different nectar plants. Life History: In the afternoon the males patrol for Range: females. After mating the female will lay her eggs individually on the tops of the host plants leaves. When the eggs hatch the caterpillars construct an enclosure using the host plant and silk to use as a base for their feeding operations. The caterpillars will form their chrysalides on the host plant or on nearby plants or structures.
