Vanessa cardui, commonly known as the Painted Lady butterfly, is one of the most widespread butterfly species in the world. Found on every continent except Antarctica, it thrives in diverse habitats, including meadows, gardens, and open fields. The painted lady is easily recognizable by its striking orange, black, and white wing pattern, with a wingspan ranging between 5 to 7.5 cm.
This butterfly is a strong migrator, capable of traveling thousands of miles during seasonal migrations. In spring, Vanessa cardui migrates northward from Africa to Europe or from Central America into the United States and Canada. The species feeds primarily on nectar from various flowers, including thistles, which are also its preferred host plant for egg-laying.
The caterpillars are spiny, black and silver, and they feed voraciously before pupating. The adults play a critical role in pollination, contributing to ecosystems' health. The painted lady's adaptability, long migratory behavior, and vivid coloration make it a fascinating subject for scientists and nature enthusiasts, and it is very easy to care for in captivity.
Difficulty - Easy (1/10)
Host plants - Nettles; Mallows
Temperature - Room temp. or outside
Lifecycle - Continually brooded with migratory adults
