Vanessa cardui of the sky, implying the use of a solar compass to orient its migratory direction and maintain a straight flight path. "V. cardui" displays a unique system of continuous mating, throughout all seasons, including the winter. This may be attributed to its migratory patterns, thus significantly affecting its mating behavior. During European migrations, the butterflies immediately begin to mate and lay eggs upon arrival in the Mediterranean in the spring, starting in late May. In the United States, painted lady butterflies migrating towards the north experience poor mating conditions, and many butterflies have limited breeding capabilities. The "local adult generation"
Brachycaudus cardui have pinkish blotches on a dark green background. "B. cardui" has a wide distribution in Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America. The primary host of "B. cardui" is plum, cherry, apricot, peach or damson, but during the summer months it moves to a secondary host. This is often a thistle in the genera "Carduus" or "Cirsium" where it is commonly seen on the stems and flowerheads. Alternatively, other plants in the aster family or plants in the borage family (Boraginaceae) may be used as secondary hosts. Winged individuals fly back to the primary hosts in the autumn. Colonies of