Brush-footed butterflies · Denmark

Painted Lady

Vanessa cardui

Painted Lady is common in Denmark. Wingspan: 50-60 mm. The thistle butterflies arrive in May-June, and a new generation is on the wing in July-October. Painted Lady lives in open areas, on meadows, grasslands, along ditches, in gardens, and other locations where the host plants grow.

Status in this countryCommon in DenmarkLC (Least concern)

Flight period

The swallowtail butterflies arrive in May and June, and a new generation is in flight from July to October. The frequency of Painted Lady is very variable depending on the arrival from the south.

Habitat

Painted Lady inhabits open areas, including meadows, grasslands, ditch banks, gardens, and other locations where the host plants grow.

Identifying features

Wingspan: 50-60 mm. The upperside is mottled with orange and brown shades, with a pink hue.

Similar species

Beginners may sometimes confuse it with red admiral. However, Painted Lady has more orange than black/dark on the upper side, whereas the opposite is true for red admiral.

Distribution

Painted Lady is the world's most widespread butterfly, largely due to its ability to migrate over long distances. In Denmark, it can be seen everywhere.

Biology

Painted Lady is one of our migratory day butterflies. It cannot tolerate frost and overwinters in the Mediterranean region before migrating northwards in the spring.