
Small Tortoiseshell
The Painted Lady is a long-distance migrant, which causes the most spectacular butterfly migrations observed in Britain and Ireland.
Each year, it spreads northwards from the desert fringes of North Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, recolonising mainland Europe and reaching Britain and Ireland. In some years it is an abundant butterfly, frequenting gardens and other flowery places in late summer.
A wide range of foodplants may be used with thistles (Cirsium spp. and Carduus spp.) being preferred in Britain and Ireland. Mallows (Malva spp.), Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), Viper's-bugloss (Echium vulgare), and various cultivated plants also have been recorded as larval foodplants here.
This common and widespread migrant likes dry open areas but can be seen anywhere in a good year.
Painted Lady - Iain H Leach
Painted Lady - Iain H Leach
Painted Lady (upperwing) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Painted Lady (upperwing) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Painted Lady (upperwing) - Peter Eeles
Peter Eeles
Painted Lady (underwing) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Painted Lady (underwing) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Painted Lady (underwing) - Andrew Cooper
Andrew Cooper
Painted Lady (caterpillar) - Peter Eeles
Peter Eeles
Painted Lady (pupa) - Dean Morley
Dean Morley