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Painted Lady; the Thistle-butterfly

Pyrameis cardui

Plate I — Painted Lady; the Thistle-butterfly is Fig. 1
Plate I — Painted Lady; the Thistle-butterfly is Fig. 1

Butterfly.--This is undoubtedly the most widely distributed of all known butterflies, being found in almost all parts of the temperate regions of the earth and in many tropical lands in both hemispheres. It is easily distinguished from the preceding species by the more numerous and much smaller eye-like spots on the under side of the hind wings. Expanse, 2.00-2.25 inches.

Early Stages.-These have been again and again described at great length and with minute particularity by a score of authors. The food-plants of the caterpillar are thistles (Carduus), Urtica, Cnicus, and Althaea.