Vanessa cardui
The Painted Lady is the most widespread butterfly in the world, being found on every continent except South America and Antarctica. There isn’t a corner of South Africa where they do not occur and they inhabit every habitat, from desert to forests, including parks and gardens.
Adults have a wingspan of between 4 and 5cm, with females being slightly larger than males. The males are territorial and defend small areas of bare ground as their patch. They can fly rapidly but often only glide close to the ground, flapping their wings only occasionally, and settling often with wings spread out. These butterflies have a habit of swarming and migrating in various parts of their cosmopolitan range, also here in South Africa. Painted Ladies can be seen year round, being most numerous in spring and autumn. The larvae are raised on a wide variety of food plants.
DeWetsWild 
Die moontlikheid is groot dat ons ‘n paar verlede naweek op ‘n stap gesien het op ‘n plaas hier naby … hulle het die hele tyd voor ons gevlieg (te vinnig vir ‘n foto), maar dis die eerste keer sedert ons hier in Oos-London is wat ons skoenlappers gesien het – ek was so opgewonde!
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Ek is ook baie bly dat die warmer maande uiteindelik hier is en daarmee saam ook die skoenlappertjies!
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She reminds me of the now fading Monarch butterflies I loved so much when I was a kid.
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Isn’t it just so terribly sad that such beautiful creatures as the monarch butterflies are in decline because of us!?
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Thank-you, I am enjoying reading about butterflies. I recently moved to a non-garden, it is fascinating planting assorted plants and watching the butterflies ‘hear’ about the plantings, and watching them start making regularly visits to my garden.
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It is wonderful that your gardening efforts are rewarded, Kathryn!
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Kunswerkie, né. Soveel detail. As dit ek was, het ek een kleur geverf met ‘n paar hale of dots. Maar nie ons Skepper nie!
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Ek stem saam met jou, Elsabe. Wel geskape!
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Beautiful, Marilize! They do look familiar so I’ve probably seen them here.
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Very likely, Siobhan
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Dis ‘n pragtige skoenlapper! Hier by ons is daar nog nie enige skoenlappers nie!
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Met al die blomme nou in die veld hoef hulle seker nie die dorp te besoek nie?
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A few have deigned to flutter around in our garden … early days, so I am hoping for more butterflies this year.
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It’s a good omen of things to come I hope!
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Their coloring reminds me of monarchs. I’m always amazed at how much you know about the flora and fauna around you, Dries.
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A great compliment – thank you, Janet. I was blessed many times over being born in this country so rich in natural treasures, being raised by parents who encouraged curiosity, and having access to excellent books in my mother tongue!
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beautiful flutterbys
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And these really do “flutter by”!
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My daughter and I have raised these before. They are so pretty. I have not seen them in my garden yet. Beautiful photographs!
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Thanks, Meghan! I’m sure one of those you’ve raised – or their progeny – will come back to visit your lawn at some point.
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That would be amazing!!
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I haven’t seen a Painted Lady this year. Your post will make me do it, hopefully before it gets too cold.
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I hope that Murphy plays along, Hien!
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The Painted Lady sure is a pretty one!
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The name makes her sound a lot more “tarty” than she actually is!
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Die Painted lady was in my jong dae orans ook die Blue Pansy butterfly. Baie oulike en beskrywende name vir hulle.
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Ek hou ook van die name wat baie van ons skoenlappers het, in Afrikaans en Engels.
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