(Linnaeus, 1758)
Painted Lady
Description:
The Painted Lady is a visitor from the south, that is difficult to confuse with other butterflies. The black triangle on the tip of the forewing distinguishes it from the proper fritillaries. It is a migrant and cannot survive the winter in temperate climates. Each year, Western Europe is recolonized by butterflies from the south of Spain and Africa. In good years, the Painted Lady can be seen nearly everywhere, but otherwise seems to be absent. It often basks in the sun on the ground or on vegetation with its wings wide open, taking off into a powerful, gliding flight when approached. It visits a variety of flowers for nectar.
The Painted Lady lays its eggs on very different food plants in Europe. It prefers various thistles (Cirsium spp., Carduus spp., and Onopordum spp.), but also uses mallows (Malva spp.) especially in the south, and Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare) and Common Nettle (Urtica dioica). The eggs are laid singly on the upperside of the leaves, the caterpillars feeding in a shelter of loosely spun leaves. They pupate on the food plant.
Habitat:
Generalist
Similar species:
Unmistakable