Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Painted lady butterfly

Cynthia cardui McCoy


Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae

Size range

  • Wingspan about 45–50 mm

Distribution

  • Australian, sometimes blown across the Tasman in summer

Life History

  • Caterpillars feed on some plants of the daisy family e.g. Arctotis
  • Occasionally breeds in NZ, but probably does not overwinter