Vanessa kershawi
The Australian Painted Lady Butterfly has pale brown underwings and delicate pattern of orange and brown on their upper wings. Their caterpillars feed on native everlastings and other daisies, as well as the introduced Capeweed (Arctotheca calendula), Scotch Thistle (Onopordum acanthium) and Lavender (Lavendula officinalis).
Australian Painted Ladies in New South Wales migrate in great numbers in spring, moving on a front that extends for about 580 km inland from the coast. This migration can continue for up to eight weeks, with the main movement being in a south to south-westerly direction. Larger numbers in some years may be related to higher than average winter rainfall in the months preceding a migration, particularly in inland regions. A smaller return flight has been reported between February and April, with adults flying northwards. During the migration, adults maintain a rapid, direct flight about 2 m above the ground.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
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