Description
The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is a widely distributed butterfly with orange and black patterned wings, adorned with white spots on the forewings and small blue eyespots on the undersides of the hindwings, often found in a variety of habitats around the world. In some years in Minnesota, there is a huge population eruption. This might be explained by the caterpillars affinity for soybean leaves.
Range
It is found throughout the state.
Similar Species
American Lady has an extra white spot on the forewing above, and only two large eyespots on the hindwing below.
Host Plants
The larvae feed on a wide range of plants including asters, mallows, legumes, plantains, and nettles. Some research suggests over 300 plant species are used.
Flight
Overwinters as a chrysalis but also repopulates from the south every year. For this reason, it can be found any time of the year that temperatures are favorable for butterflies, from April to November.