Vanessa cardui - Farbricius 1758    The Painted Lady

Flight Period Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
      X                  
Wingspan : 50 - 60mm

Species details : This is the most widely distributed butterfly in the world. It is highly migratorial in habit, and its presence on Samui is only as a passer through, and therefore, one can not expect it to see the species at any particular time of year. It may be encountered anywhere outside forests.

Early stages          : Known, but not pictured.

Larval Foodplant : Artemesia pallens, Artemesia scoparia, Blumea balsamifera (all Compositae), Debregeasia longifolia (Urticaceae), Smilax perfoliata (Smilacaceae)

Range                    : Cosmopolitan. Can be found on all continents, though in Australia, it is only in the West of the Country.