by: Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com

Spring has arrived at Lake Tahoe.  This past weekend was in the 50's, during the day, and the skies were crystal clear.  At lower elevations, the snow is melting, uncovering signs of Spring.  Daffodils, tullips, and a variety of spring bulbs are beginning to emerge from the soil.  The air is filled with the delighted sounds of birds chirping as they gather the makings of their nests.

Also filling the alpine skies lately, are Paint Lady Butterflies.  You can't miss them at lower elevations, they're all over.  The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is found everywhere in the world except South America, the Arctic, and Australia.  The Painted Lady is found almost anywhere, but they tend to inhabit brightly lighted and open environments. They prefer clover fields, flowery meadows and hilly country. Marshes, dunes, and thorn scrubs also attract the Painted Lady.  The Painted Lady is well known for its migratory behavior. This butterfly consumes more than 100 different plants, some include thistles, Burdock, and Groundsel. Predators of the Painted Lady Butterfly included wasps, spiders, ants and birds.

To feed their larva as they grow, Painted Ladies lay their eggs on plants such as daisies and hollyhocks.  The Painted Ladies aren't difficult to find this time of year, but you're sure to find them eating from these plants:

Goldenrod


Aster

Zinnia

 


Butterfly Bush

 

Milkweed

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