 DESCRIPTION:
WS=1.8 - 2.5" (44-57 mm). Upper surface orange with white spots in
black apical area of forewings. Hindwings have row of 5 black spots. Lower
surface of hindwing has 4 eyespots (compare to American Lady with 2 large
eyespots).
Family Nymphalidae, Subfamily Nymphalinae.
NATURAL HISTORY: No butterfly in the world is more cosmopolitan than the
painted lady. However, they cannot survive freezing temperatures so must
migrate out of warm regions each year. Here, painted ladies move up from
northern Mexico in the spring, and then stop being seen in November. Larvae
feed on large variety of plants (especially thistles).
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