Dear Nature Lovers,
Greetings from oikos !

Painted Lady is a member of family ‘Nymphalidae’.
Name comes from its colorful pattern on wings.
Scientific name : Vanessa cardui. Family : Nymphalidae
It is possibly the world’s most widely distributed butterfly.
It occurs on all continents except South America and Antarctica.
It uses variety of habitats but prefers open areas and grass meadows.
In spite of its bright coloration it is difficult to spot owing to its swift flight.

Migration:
Few butterflies are known to migrate so also Painted Lady.
A very peculiar phenomenon is seen in this species. 
They exploit all the available host plants from an area.    
So adults have to migrate in search of fresh fields with abundant host plants.

Larval Food plants : 
Zornia gibbosa, Artemisia spp, Gnaphalium spp, Tricholepis spp., Blumea spp. 
दहाण – Tricholepis spp. 
Common herb found in open areas and grassy patches or slopes.
Species vary from Western Ghats high elevation to low lands.

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