05/14/2026
The monarch butterfly gets all the attention.
But the painted lady may be the greatest migrant on Earth.
→ Painted ladies migrate up to 9,000 miles
→ From North Africa to Scandinavia (Old World) or Mexico to Canada (New World)
→ BILLIONS migrate at once in some years
→ They travel in a SINGLE generation (no relay like monarchs)
→ They fly at altitudes of 1,000-3,000 feet — often invisible to us
→ Radar studies detected 11 BILLION painted ladies crossing the Sahara in a single season
In April, painted ladies are pushing through the US:
→ Moving north from Mexico and the Southwest
→ In ""boom years"" (every few years), the numbers are STAGGERING
→ They can cover 100+ miles per day
→ They DON'T follow a single route — they spread across the entire continent
What they need from YOUR yard:
→ Nectar sources: cosmos, zinnias, asters, coneflowers, thistles
→ Host plants for caterpillars: thistles, hollyhocks, mallows
→ NO pesticides (caterpillars die from even low-dose exposure)
The painted lady is the most widespread butterfly on Earth:
→ Found on every continent except Antarctica and South America
→ Adapts to almost any habitat
→ Completes 4-5 generations per year
Billions of butterflies. 9,000 miles. Invisible at altitude.
The greatest migration you've never heard of.
Happening over your head this month. 🦋
