Painted Lady

The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is a remarkable long-distance migrant in Scotland, traveling up to 9,000 miles annually from North Africa to the Arctic Circle, often appearing in massive "influx" years. Reaching Scotland by summer, these butterflies are descendants of the original travelers, frequenting gardens, thistle-rich areas, and coastlines to feed. 

Key Facts About Painted Ladies in Scotland:

• Epic Migration: They fly at altitudes up to 500 meters and speeds up to 30mph, covering up to 100miles a day, with the full journey spanning multiple generations.

• Massive "Painted Lady Years": Roughly every decade, massive numbers arrive, such as in 2009 and 2019, when millions arrived in Scotland, sometimes described as a "once-a-decade phenomenon".

• Not a Round Trip: Individuals do not survive the Scottish winter. The generation that travels north dies, and it takes up to six generations to return to Africa.

• Thistle Lovers: Known as the "Thistle Butterfly," they often lay eggs on thistle leaves, which provide food for the caterpillars.

• Arrival Pattern: They arrive in southern UK in late March, reaching Scotland by summer, with numbers peaking in early August.

• Appearance: They are medium-sized (50−56mm wingspan) orange, black, and white butterflies with distinctive scalloped wing edges. 

How to Spot Them:

They are frequently spotted feeding on Buddleja in gardens or in open, coastal areas, particularly during sunny weather. You can report sightings to Butterfly Conservation Scotland to aid in research.