PAINTED LADY |
VANESSA CARDUI |
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| Fig 1 |
ADULT: Wingspan - 58 - 70mm (male); 62 - 74mm (female). The
upper surfaces are mainly pale orange with black markings but the
forewing becomes completely black toward the tip with various white
markings. The hindwing becomes darker towards the upper basal
area. Below, the forewing is a duller imitation of its
upperside but the hindwing is a stunning pattern of olive, grey and
brown with a row of soft blue eyespots towards the outer margin. CHRYSALIS: 25mm. Greyish with pink and gold markings and found
within leaf tent on thistles, knapweeds or mallows. LARVA: 30mm. Black with pale dots and black branched spines
that may be sometimes yellow. A yellow line that is broken up runs
along each side. Located within leaf tent on the underside of
mainly thistle leaves. EGG: Green, oval and located mainly on thistles. Hatching
time within 7 days. BEHAVIOUR: Basks on ground or vegetation with wide open wings
and suddenly takes off into a powerful gliding flight. Likes to
feed on buddleia and rotten fruit. HABITAT: Gardens, woodland margins, grasslands, cliffs and coastal
areas. FLIGHT PERIOD: May - October in two broods. |