Family: Nymphalidae 1591     *     Vanessa cardui     *     Painted Lady Migrant. Breeds in Britain but cannot over-winter Wingspan: 58-75mm Flight time: Recorded all months, most frequent mid to late summer Habitat: Prefers warm open areas and nectar-rich grassland Larval foodplants: Thistles (Cirsium and Carduus spp.). Occasional on Mallows (Malva), Nettle (Urtica) and other herbaceous plants

Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui
Dorset. June 2015. Larvae on Spear Thistle, Cirsium vulgare July 2016, on Comfrey July 2019