Painted Lady
Vanessa carduiThe Painted Lady is a large, fast-flying butterfly with striking black, white and pinky-orange wings. They are famous for their incredible long-distance migrations, travelling all the way from tropical Africa to the Arctic Circle. No single butterfly makes the journey on their own - instead, up to 10 generations each complete a leg of the journey, picking up where their ancestors left off. These adaptable butterflies can be found across the UK in a wide range of habitats, from the countryside to cities, though their numbers vary each year depending on conditions for travel.
Meet one of nature’s great travellers
The migratory journey of the Painted Lady is one of the longest in the animal kingdom. Painted Ladies complete a phenomenal, multi-generational, 9,000 mile route from tropical Africa to the Arctic Circle – almost double the length of the famous migrations undertaken by Monarch butterflies in North America.
And it’s not just the distance which is amazing, but the height. Researchers have discovered south-bound Painted Ladies flying at an altitude of over 400m.
But why do they go on this epic adventure? The butterflies are following the availability of freshly growing foodplants for their hungry caterpillars, allowing them to complete their lifecycle all year-round.
Newly hatched caterpillars eat their way out of the egg and quickly produce a silken web beneath a leaf for protection while they feed. Their favourite caterpillar foods include thistles, mallows, Common Nettle, Viper’s-bugloss and various cultivated plants.
You can spot them across the whole of the UK but numbers vary from year to year. They prefer dry open areas but can be seen almost anywhere, from beaches to busy cities.
Vibes
Each butterfly is scored out of 100 across a set of traits, from how bold and visible it is to how far it travels or how particular it is about where it lives. These scores compare each species with the other butterflies in Britain, helping you see their differences at a glance. Here’s what makes the Painted Lady special.
Bright colours, bold patterns, and a love of the spotlight. Some butterflies just can’t help showing off.
Fast, or throwing some seriously impressive moves, these butterflies are in a flutter.
Always on guard, ready to hide or defend - these butterflies have self-preservation down to an art.
It’s ok to be a little… well, weird. These butterflies have been certified with the freak factor.
Like Goldilocks, everything has to be just right for these perfectionists.
Hard to spot and even harder to forget, these butterflies are a true one of a kind.
Bold, curious, and ready to explore, these brave butterflies live for the thrill and aren’t afraid to travel.
Weather-resistant, battle-hardened, and built to survive, these butterflies know how to take it on the wing.
During their epic migration, Painted Ladies have been recorded flying at over 400m in the air.
Test your knowledge
How do Painted Ladies complete their long migration?Painted Lady migration is completed over several generations, with each one picking up where their ancestors left off.
Does the Painted Lady get your vote?