HOW LONG DO PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLIES LIVE?
Vanessa cardui larvae on thistle
Painted lady butterfly
The painted lady (Vanessa cardui) butterfly has a lifespan of 2 weeks and its primary concern during the time it spends on the wing is to reproduce and lay eggs.
The eggs—the size of a pinhead—are laid on plants such as the hollyhock and thistle that the caterpillars enjoy eating.
After 3-5 days, the eggs hatch into a larva or caterpillar which eats the host plant and rapidly increases in size.
Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui)
Painted Lady Butterfly in a bush
Recent posts
Join us on social media or subscribe!
Sign up to receive our articles in your inbox!
Enter your name and email address below to subscribe.
Please enter your name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.
