Fauna
Insect

Australian Painted Lady

Vanessa kershawi

Also known as Blue-spotted Painted Lady

Australian painted ladies are swift, sun-loving flyers famous for massive, episodic spring migrations that sweep across southern and eastern Australia, occasionally carried across the Tasman Sea all the way to New Zealand. Males establish sunny territories on hilltops and open paths in the afternoon, vigorously spiraling upward to intercept passing rivals or court females. Their spiny brown caterpillars feed primarily on native and introduced daisies, weaving silk shelters out of leaves to hide from foraging birds.

MigratoryPollinatorSun-loving
Australian Painted Lady reference1 / 7
(c) Jacqui Geux, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jacqui Geux · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFlower Nectar, Capeweed, Everlasting Daisy
Predators
  • Silvereye
  • Praying Mantis
  • Crab Spider
ThreatsPesticide drift, extensive habitat clearing, and prolonged severe droughts
HabitatsOpen woodlands, grasslands, coastal dunes, urban parks, and gardens
Life span2 to 4 weeks as winged adults; up to several months across full life cycle
Classification
  1. OrderLepidoptera
  2. FamilyNymphalidae
  3. GenusVanessa
  4. SpeciesVanessa kershawi
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Observation Timing: Look for them basking flat-winged on warm rocks, garden paths, or bare earth in mid-morning.
  • Garden Planting: Attract breeding adults by cultivating native everlasting daisies alongside nectar-rich flowers like salvias.
  • Close Approach: Move slowly from down-sun so your shadow does not trigger their rapid escape reflex.
Related species
Keep collecting in Fauna

Found in Collections

Ecosystem chain Pro

Mystic Meadows

Australian Painted Lady is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.

Unlock to track progress

Continue in the app
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…