Painted Ladies

Gaina · #**281** (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by col188

I'm pretty sure it isn't native to the Uk, wild ones are garden escapees.
After WW11 the bricks and rubble from bombings were colonised by them.
Col

According to a well known online encyclopaedia

'They are native throughout the warmer parts of the New World from the southern United States south to Chile, and widely in the Old World in Africa and the warmer parts of Asia, but absent as natives from Europe and Australasia. The species are divided into two groups based on their floral type, those in the New World being dioecious, and those in the Old World being monoecious.'

Martin, I have noticed that too - we've had some small ones that I am used to seeing but also some really vibrant larger ones as you say. I wonder if they fact I'm more used to the tortoiseshell sized ones whilst you're used to the larger variety is significant information about their habitat? Interestingly enough I see from our locations that you and I are not that far from each other.

Heidfirst · #**282** (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Ive got loads of them, sorry but can someone give me a heads up on the site to record them.

Recording & monitoring - Butterfly Conservation but your local BC branch will also have an area Recorder.
Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire Homepage ?

Abraxus · #**283** (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiskyBottle

Has anyone else noticed that the Painted Lady's come in two sizes?

Most are about the size of a Peacock, but I saw two that were the same size as a Small Tortoiseshell, and one of them was in very good condition.

I have noticed that. In certain species there is quite a large variability. You certainly see it with Large Whites.
I was discussing Silver Y moths on another site yesterday. You can get very small versions of that occasionally and that apparantly is a distinct recognised form

blacknest · #**284** (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobinP

The lilac coloured ones seem to do the best for butterflies, my davidii is not great and the white one attracts nothing - only just coming into flower, much later than the coloured varieties.

I agree. There were lots of budleias at Harnham in Northumberland on my hold. Lilac v.popular, purple almost as much. Both had lots of tortoiseshells, red admirals, whites etc as well as many fresh painted ladies.
The white bush (which was also less sweetly scented) only seemed to attract one butterfly..but it was a beautiful Red Admiral which was very often there and rather tame.