Image Credit: HELEN M BUSHE
Identification: Upper side is orange-brown with darker wing bases; forewing with black apex patch and white bar on leading edge; hindwing sub-marginal row of 5 small black spots sometimes has blue scales. Underside has a black, brown, and gray pattern with 4 small sub-marginal eyespots.
Wing Span: 2 - 2 7/8 inches (5.1 - 7.3 cm).
Caterpillar Hosts: More than 100 host plants have been noted; favorites include thistles (Asteraceae), hollyhock and mallow (Malvaceae), and various legumes (Fabaceae).
Adult Food: The Painted Lady prefers nectar from composites 3-6 feet high, especially thistles; also aster, cosmos, blazing star, ironweed, and joe-pye weed. Flowers from other families that are visited include red clover, buttonbush, privet, and milkweeds.
Habitat: Almost everywhere, especially in open or disturbed areas including gardens, old fields, dunes.