The Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) is highly migratory and found globally, except in Australia and Antarctica. Its nutritional needs change drastically across its life cycle, shifting from a leaf-eating larva to a liquid-sipping adult. Larvae consume and store energy for metamorphosis, while adults require a diet that fuels long-distance flights and reproduction.
The Caterpillar’s Menu
The Painted Lady caterpillar is a specialist feeder whose diet consists exclusively of host plant foliage. The female butterfly lays her eggs singly on suitable plants. The primary food source preferred by these caterpillars belongs to the Thistle family (Cirsium spp.) and other members of the Asteraceae family.
Caterpillars rapidly consume large quantities of leaves to support their growth through five instars before pupating. They also feed on plants from the Malvaceae family, including mallows and hollyhocks, and various legumes like alfalfa and clover. With over 100 recorded host plants, this broad appetite contributes to the butterfly’s success. As they feed, the larvae create silken nests by webbing leaves together, which provides shelter and camouflage from predators.
Adult Nectar Sources and Supplemental Foods
The adult Painted Lady butterfly transitions to a liquid diet, relying on flower nectar for carbohydrates. They are generalist nectar feeders and visit over 100 different kinds of flowering plants. Preferred flowers often belong to the Asteraceae family and are typically tall, such as zinnias, asters, blazing star, and purple coneflower.
The butterflies use their long, straw-like proboscis to draw nectar from deep within the blossoms. Beyond flower nectar, the adult diet includes supplemental liquids like tree sap and the juices from rotting fruit. They also engage in “puddling,” gathering on moist ground, mud, or damp sand to sip water and absorb dissolved minerals. This mineral intake is particularly important for males to ensure reproductive success.
Feeding Painted Ladies in a Controlled Environment
When raising Painted Ladies in a controlled environment, the diet must be carefully managed for both the larval and adult stages. Caterpillars are typically provided with a specially formulated, nutrient-rich artificial diet in their rearing cup. This diet supports their rapid development and metamorphosis into a chrysalis.
Once the adults emerge, they require a consistent source of liquid sugar, provided as artificial nectar. A common solution involves mixing approximately one part white sugar to four parts water (e.g., two teaspoons of sugar dissolved in a quarter cup of water). This sugar solution can be presented in a shallow dish with a small plastic sponge or cotton ball to provide a stable, accessible surface for the butterfly to drink from. Slices of fresh fruit, such as oranges, bananas, or watermelon, can also be offered as a supplementary food source.