Painted Lady
Scientific Name: Vanessa cardui
The Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui, is a widespread butterfly species known for its remarkable migrations and delicate beauty. These butterflies have wings adorned with striking patterns of orange, black, and white, with a row of distinct eyespots on their hindwings. They appear similar in coloration to Monarch butterflies, but Painted Ladies tend to be smaller, with a 2” wing span vs. the Monarch’s 4” wing span.
Painted Ladies are highly migratory, traveling thousands of miles between breeding and overwintering grounds. In Huntington Beach, they can be observed during their northward spring migration, where they feed on nectar from a variety of flowers, including California Poppies and native asters.