The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is one of the most widespread of all butterfly species. Fluttering gracefully across every continent except Antarctica, this butterfly finds its home in a variety of habitats.
The Painted Lady can adapt to diverse environmental conditions. They are commonly found in open meadows, fields of wildflowers, gardens, and parks. These habitats provide them with ample food sources from nectar-rich plants such as thistles, asters, and sunflowers.
A remarkable traveler, the Painted Lady undertakes extensive migrations. They can travel thousands of miles between their breeding grounds in Africa and Northern Europe, traversing diverse range of climates and landscapes.
While not currently at risk, conservation efforts focus on maintaining natural meadows and preventing pesticide use in agricultural and urban landscapes. These actions help ensure that Painted Ladies continue to color our world beautifully.