Insect · GBIF taxon 4299368
Painted Lady
Vanessa carduiAlso known as Cosmopolitan Butterfly, Thistle Butterfly
Painted ladies undertake multi-generational migrations spanning thousands of kilometers across continents, navigating using the sun and magnetic fields. Their wings feature a striking mosaic of orange, brown, black, and white spots with small eyespots on the hindwing undersides. Caterpillars weave silken webs on host plants like thistles and mallows to shelter while feeding.
MigratoryCosmopolitanNectar Feeder
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Flower Nectar
- Thistle Leaves
- Mallow Leaves
Predators
- Birds
- Praying Mantises
- Spiders
ThreatsWidespread pesticide application, habitat fragmentation, and climate extremes affecting migratory timing.
HabitatsMeadows, fields, gardens, and open deserts across every continent except Antarctica and South America.
Life span2–4 weeks as an adult; 4–6 weeks for complete lifecycle
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyNymphalidae
- GenusVanessa
- SpeciesVanessa cardui
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Garden Selection: Plant sunny patches of nectar-rich flowers like cosmos, zinnias, and asters to attract migrating adults.
- Host Plants: Maintain native thistles and mallows to encourage egg-laying and support caterpillar growth.
Host Plant (c) Sandy Wolkenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sandy Wolkenberg · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Gilles San Martin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Gilles San Martin · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Fyn Kynd, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Fyn Kynd · cc-by-sa
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Mystic Meadows
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