Painted Lady

Cynthia cardui

Áilleán [IRL]

La Belle-dame [F]

Distelfalter [D]

$Distribution Map (dark areas indicate presence) and Flight Times of this species - \nNB See General Information page for accuracy information$

photo

Gardens, Woodlands.

Mainly eastern and southern coastal areas.

Thistles.

65-70mm (2.37 inches)
[Small Tortoiseshell 50mm]

This migrant butterfly is somewhat like a dull version of the Small Tortoiseshell.
It is predominantly a dull orange with black markings and has a very colourful red, black and white underside.
They do not survive the winter here.