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Painted Lady

 

A handsome migrant butterfly that is common throughout much of Britain in some years but either scarce or even absent in others, with the first butterflies of the year to reach us probably direct migrants from North Africa.

 

During its long life the beautiful salmon-pink of freshly emerged butterflies fades to orange-brown and tatty, faded individuals are not uncommon.

 

Wingspan: male 58-70mm and female 62-74mm

On the wing: early April to late October

Foodplant: thistle

 

2015 - earliest sighting 18 June

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Painted Lady, Saltwells LNR 21 June 2015

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