Woodlands Historic Park Insects

Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi) at Woodlands Historic Park
Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi)

Wingspan: 43 to 47 mm

The caterpillars of this butterfly feed on daisies including the very common Capeweed. It is one of the most common large butterflies seen in the park - 10 were seen feeding at the same time on a patch of Common Rice-flower in mid October 2016. They can still be seen in summer but then the Common Brown Butterfly is usually more numerous.

Classification

from Australian Faunal Directory

Order Lepidoptera - Moths and Butterflies, 10855 named species in Australia
Family NYMPHALIDAE - Browns and Admirals, 98 species in Australia
Genus Vanessa (3 Species in Australia)
Species Vanessa kershawi