The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is the most widespread of all butterfly species. It is a long-distance migrant, which causes the most spectacular butterfly migrations observed in Britain and Ireland. Each year, it spreads northwards from the desert fringes of North Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, recolonising mainland Europe and reaching Britain and Ireland. It is found on every continent except Antarctica and South America. It has a pale buffy-orange background colour to the upper wings. The forewings have black tips marked with white spots
