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Painted Lady/Osatnik

Vanessa cardui

Photo by Ursula
Published on Project Noah
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46.161, 14.775

Field Notes

Description:

Because it lost its scales this interesting migrating butterfly has see-through wings. It was about 4-6 cm big.

Habitat:

It is widespread all over Europe and North Africa.

Notes:

This is the first time I saw this kind of butterfly. I think it is rather interesting sight to see.

Reference Links:

Butterflies of Europe - Vanessa cardui

Species ID Suggestions

Painted Lady

Vanessa cardui

Reference Link
Jacob Gorneau
3

Comments (9)
Ursula
thank you for the ID guys! and thank you also for this interesting information! :)
Jopy
yes, they lose its scales with age, dont't know for sure is it male or female, it's too much damaged. The body is usually dark brown with bright stripes, this one is, also, lost hair and scales, that's why is dark, and white stripes are more visible..
Ursula
so butterflies can lose their scales and get see-through wings? those scales at the top really look like Vanessa cardui-female, right? but what about its body-is it normal it's so dark?
Jopy
I agree with Jakubko, this is Vanessa cardui, but it's too old and lost its scales on wings... :)
Ursula
Jakubko-thank you for orienting me where to look at! Injica-I haven't seen a butterfly like that as well, so I was quite surprised to find it! :)
injica
wow ovo nisam još vidila! ;)
Jacob Gorneau
This is a worn butterfly in the genus Vanessa. Looking at range and the markings near the thorax and head, I think this is Vanessa cardui.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
European Butterflies and Moths
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project

Tags

Photographed
PublishedJuly 20, 2013

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