Parts of a Butterfly
Metamorphosis	Our Grade 3 class wanted to know how a butterfly becomes a butterfly...
Life Cycles	This is what happened!
Research/ They are special.../ Art	This Project Site was created by Mr. Kowalchyk and his grade 3 students at St. Martin
Painted Lady Butterfly Order Lepidoptera Family Nymphalidae Adult wing span 35 to 40 mm (1.5 in) Mature larval length 25 to 30 mm (1 in) Distribution Painted ladies are common throughout North America and Europe. Food The larvae feed primarily on thistle. Reproduction The adult butterflies migrate north in mid to late May. Eggs are laid on thistle and larvae feed individually on the leaves. After 2 to 3 weeks of feeding the larva attaches itself to the stem by its hind leg and pupates. There are two generations per year. Comments This butterfly is a frequent migrant from North America to Europe and is reported to be the most widely distributed of all butterflies. The populations of painted ladies are known to fluctuate greatly over the years. Color of painted lady The adult’s wings are orange with black, white, and beige markings. The eyespots on the wings are purplish-blue with yellow edges. The larva is blue-gray with black spines.