Painted Lady Cynthia cardui

This is a purely migratory species (from North Africa); there are few, if any, records of adults over-wintering in this country but recent research has found that there is evidence a return migration. However, radar studies have revealed that this takes place at very high altitudes, hence the lack of evidence on the ground.

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The larvae feed on thistles especially Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare and Marsh Thistle C. palustre. Adults visit thistles, Buddleia etc. Numbers vary from year to year.

1996 was a memorable year for this species with the country hosting the largest immigration for over 40 years.

A count on 12/8/96 by the old sewage works site revealed approximately 200 individuals along with some 1000 Silver-Y moths.

The Species