How to find the adultsPainted Lady butterflies are fast flyers. The best time to observe them is while feeding on flowers. Sometimes, if lucky, one can see them in big numbers, which is usually indicative of large migrations or breeding occurring in the area.
Tips to find Vanessa cardui adults:
|
How to find caterpillarsPainted Lady caterpillars build silken shelters. These particular structures help them to keep protected from predators and parasitoids, while eating the leaves that they use as walls. Larvae are easier to find than adults because one can identify these shelters, which are usually found in large numbers, even in the same plant.
Tips to find Vanessa cardui larvae:
|
Report observations
Observe, photograph and report findings directly to us or through our open projects in citizen science platforms |
Monitor a breeding site along the year
Find a good spot near your home where the butterfly breed and count them along time. Contact us to set a site and get instructions! |
Collect specimens
Butterflies, pupae, caterpillars and their hostplants are processed and studied in the lab. Contact us to get a collecting protocol |
Photo, GPS and report!
To participate with your observations, try to photograph the specimens and submit pictures, coordinates and dates in your favourite Citizen Science platform. You can also directly report to us through e-mail at [email protected]
|