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Painted Lady - Vanessa cardui
[Painted Lady image]
Painted Lady - Dartmouth, NS - 2012-08-27
Photo © Jim Edsall
Status in Nova Scotia
Varies: absent some years, abundant other years.

Flight Period
Migrants first arrive in late April. Two or three broods; flies until early November.

Habitat
Gardens, roadsides, clearings, fields.

Larval Foodplants
Asters, knapweed, thistles and other members of the aster family. Has been observed feeding on Burdock (Arctium sp.) in Nova Scotia.

Similar Species in Nova Scotia
Similar to American Lady.

Notes
This is one of the most widespread of butterflies, occurring on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. It is called "The Cosmopolitan" in some areas.

Further Reading


Painted Lady - Salt Marsh Trail, Bissett Rd. NS, 2012-07-03
Painted Lady - Salt Marsh Trail, Bissett Rd. NS - 2012-07-03
2012-07-03
Photo © Jim Edsall
Painted Lady - Apple River, NS, 2012-08-19
Painted Lady - Apple River, NS - 2012-08-19
2012-08-19
Photo © Kathleen F. Spicer
Painted Lady - Apple River, NS, 2012-08-14
Painted Lady - Reared from caterpillar. - Apple River, NS - 2012-08-14
2012-08-14
Photo © Kathleen F. Spicer
Painted Lady - Granite Woods Rd, Kings Co., 2012-08-13
Painted Lady - Granite Woods Rd, Kings Co. - 2012-08-13
2012-08-13
Photo © Angus MacLean
Painted Lady - Wolfville, NS, 2017-09-20
Painted Lady - Wolfville, NS - 2017-09-20
2017-09-20
Photo © Cecil Pulsifer
Painted Lady - Wolfville, NS, 2017-09-20
Painted Lady - Wolfville, NS - 2017-09-20
2017-09-20
Photo © Cecil Pulsifer