Sunday, July 3, 2011

Painted Lady

The painted lady is a common butterfly that can be found in many places around the world. Besides North America they can also be found in northern parts of South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

The painted lady over winters as an adult butterfly. The accomplish this by migrating to a warmer climate during the winter. When winter ends they fly north again where they mate, lay eggs and then die.
Adults lay eggs on the larval host plants which include thistle, sunflower, spotted knapweed, ragworts, and burdock. Adults drink nectar from flowers including lupine, red clover, milkweeds, asters and blazing star. Adults can often also be found pooling, drinking minerals from wet soil.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great looking butterfly. Gotta look for that one out at the farm. I noticed more monarchs around today, but they never land around me! Too much wind.

lotusleaf said...

That is a beautiful butterfly.

Teresa said...

It's amazing to me that they can migrate so far. Your pictures are wonderful!

Cecilia Artista said...

Wonderful macro shots!
Beautiful butterfly!

Mary @ Framed and Tagged said...

Nature matches her colors perfectly
...Great capture!

DeniseinVA said...

Your butterfly photos are always fun to see.

Linda said...

marvelous macro shots!