Painted Lady - Vanessa cardui. 45 - 60mm.
With the exception of parts of South America this familiar subtropic
butterfly is distributed all over the world. In central Europe is it
to be found abundantly, but does not hibernate there. It arrives between
April and June and, before leaving again, produces one or two generations
over the summer. The caterpillars live on thistles, stinging nettles
and hops. There are occasional records or damage caused by this species
to agricultural crops, mostly in the warm regions.
Text from: A field Guide in
Colour to Butterflies and Moths (1982) Ivo Novak. Octopus
