Sussex Butterfly Conservation : Species

Butterfly Species in Sussex

Painted Lady nectaring on Field Scabious - photo by Martin Kalaher

Painted Lady

Vanessa cardui

Description

Every year, large numbers of Painted Ladies migrate from their breeding colonies in North Africa, head north through the Iberian Peninsula and France, and eventually, two to three generations later, arrive on the British mainland. Since Sussex has a long shoreline there is the potential to see spectacular invasions, as in 1996 and 2009 when millions of Painted Ladies passed through the county.

A fresh Painted lady is a very beautiful butterfly. The background colour of the uppersides is a lovely salmon-pink, and this contrasts with the outer half of the forewings which are black and white. The undersides are equally lovely with a mosaic of irregular blocks that are khaki-coloured and framed in white, and towards the rear of the hindwing there is an attractive row of turquoise and mauve eyespots.

In Sussex, this species may be seen in every month of the year. In the years 2006-2024 an “average first sighting” was April 6th but the dates ranged from 01/01/2013 to 06/05/2008. Despite the capricious nature of its migratory habits, it is likely to be most numerous between late May and early June, and again between late July and mid-October.

Having made landfall in Sussex, some will continue to head north but others will remain in the county to breed. The males establish territories in a flower meadow or other flower-rich habitat and wait for a female to pass by. Once mated the females search for suitable larval foodplants, which in this county is mostly thistles, but Common Nettles, Burdock, Common Mallow, Tree Mallow are also used, as are a few hybrid garden plants. The Sussex-born adults that emerge from this breeding cycle may be seen in late July/ early August.

In late summer/early autumn, Painted Ladies make the return journey and head south, back to their North African origins. This southerly passage may be stalled by bad weather and then we may see them in coastal locations, such as Lancing Beach, where they nectar on whatever flowers are available, before resuming their journey when favourable winds return.

Where to find

As for any migratory species we are more likely to see them on the coastal strip or the South Downs. In a “Painted Lady year” we can see them anywhere in Sussex.