Painted lady

This species is a notable migrant, Although some individuals may overwinter and be seen on the wing in February-March, the bulk of the painted ladies seen on the island appear between April and June, when many thousands arrive from Africa. It is typically found in open areas and patches of wasteland. In fact, it will appear anywhere that thistles, its larvae’s food plants, grow. It also nectars on many different types of flowers.  Its abundance changes greatly from year to year and depends on the number of individuals that reach the island’s shores from Africa at the end of winter and in spring. In 2009 it was extraordinarily abundant and hundreds could be seen almost anywhere on the island, even on the daisies in flower in the Plaça de la Biosfera.
Scientific name: Vanesa cardui

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