Painted Lady

Vanessa cardui is the most widespread of all butterfly species. It is commonly called the painted lady, or formerly in North America the cosmopolitan. Scientific Name: Vanessa cardui Range: Cosmopolitan — every continent except Antarctica and South America Size: Wingspan 5–9 cm Status: Common ID Notes: Orange-pink with black-and-white tips, four black eye-spots on hindwing underside. One of the most widespread butterflies in the world. Behavior / Notes: Migrates further than any other butterfly — round trip from sub-Saharan Africa to the Arctic Circle. Caterpillars feed on thistles.