Painted lady butterfly
![](https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0018/2637/varieties/thumb200.jpg)
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