A migrant from North Africa the Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui) is a regular visitor to these shores. They can be found mainly from June to September along the south and east coasts.
The Painted Lady is one of the most widespread butterflies in the world and can be found on every continent except South America and Antarctica.
Because they are in a state of almost constant migration the males lack the traditional territory of other species and instead they establish a certain “Time and Place” that they think is suitable for reproduction and await a female.