Painted lady
Vanessa cardui
Conservation status: Common
When to see: April to October
About
The painted lady butterfly, with its striking orange, black, and white wings, is a migratory species that travel to the UK from North Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe during the summer months. At times, these butterflies arrive in massive numbers! They are a common sight in gardens, where they can be seen feeding on Buddleia and other flowers. The caterpillars of this species feed on thistles, mallows, Vipers-bugloss, and various cultivated plants. However, it is important to note that the painted lady butterfly cannot survive the UK winter.
| See also different: | Garden butterflies |
