Taxonomy:
Common Names:
Description: The Painted Lady Butterfly, scientifically known as Vanessa cardui, is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of approximately 5 to 9 centimeters. It is known for its striking and intricate wing patterns, characterized by orange and black markings with white spots. The undersides of the wings are more subdued, featuring a mottled brown and gray pattern.
Known Range: The Painted Lady Butterfly is one of the most widely distributed butterfly species, found on every continent except Antarctica. It migrates annually across vast distances, with populations found in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Diet: As caterpillars, Painted Lady Butterflies primarily feed on various species of host plants, including thistles (hence its scientific name cardui), mallows, hollyhocks, and nettles. As adults, they primarily feed on nectar from a wide range of flowering plants.
Breeding: Female Painted Lady Butterflies lay their eggs singly on the leaves of host plants. The eggs hatch into caterpillars, which undergo several instars (stages of growth) before pupating. The pupa, or chrysalis, is formed attached to a leaf or stem of the host plant.
Lifecycle:
Note: The Painted Lady Butterfly is renowned for its migratory behavior, with populations traveling thousands of kilometers during seasonal migrations. This species plays a crucial role in pollination and ecosystem health across its vast range.