Interactive Butterfly CD
Butterflies of the
Carolinas & Virginias

Painted Lady,
Vanessa cardui


Check out photos of Painted Ladies from Colorado

Size: Wingspan is 2 to 21/4 inches.

Similar Species:
American Lady

Habitat: Fields, meadows, roadsides and gardens.

Abundance: Uncommon in most of the state. This migratory butterfly is more common some years and others not so common. This is a western US species.

Flight Period: Flies from late March until November.

Comments: Some years only a handful of this species is found in North Carolina. The year 2000 was a great year for butterflies, but Painted Ladies were barely ever found in North Carolina. This year 2001 so far the reports have been widespread and it looks like a good year to find them in North Carolina.

The top photo was taken in the Caswell Gamelands in Caswell County, NC on May 31, 2001. The photo at right I found at power line clearing Duke Forest in Orange County, NC on May 25, 2001. It is nectaring on Marshalia obovata.

Notice the 4 eye spots on the hindwing? American Lady only has 2 spots, one bigger than the other.

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