Painted Lady Butterflies

One of the most beautiful of all species is the eye-catching Painted Lady Butterfly. The beautiful gold, black, yellow, and orange coloring make it trouble-free to pick out in any location. They are quite simple to differentiate because of the two "eyespots" on the hind wing. These are a variety of differences between the American, the West Coast, and the Australian versions of the same beautiful butterfly.

Life Cycle - Eggs

The life cycle of this species takes about 23 days to complete from egg to adult. The females lay their eggs underneath the leaves of their favorite plants, typically the milkweed or hollyhock. These eggs are approximately one millimeter in length and are light green in color.

After a couple of weeks, the eggs hatch and the caterpillar, or larva, begins a vigorous diet of leaves. In about four weeks, it outgrows its skin, which it sheds and continues to grow.

The caterpillar continues its feeding frenzy and growth period, and soon, it again outgrows its skin, but this time it finds a sturdy branch and begins building its cocoon for the final phase of the metamorphosis process to proceed. The chrysalis becomes stiffer and turns to a golden color, and remains from approximately ten days.

The caterpillar remains safe in this protective home until it is time for them to emerge completing their transformation into the beautiful adult butterfly. The butterfly then emerges, unfolds the wings, and begins the drying process before they can inflate the wings with blood stored in the body. Once the wings dry and stiffen, the butterfly can then fly.

Defense

These creatures, although quite harmless, have had to develop a methodology to protect themselves. Generally the plants on which they feed expel toxins which these creatures use to protect themselves against their adversaries making them poisonous if eaten. Their bright shade of this beautiful creature alerts their attackers to their lethal nature. The manner in which their wings are designed allow them to avoid predators by allowing them to take off and turn quickly. .

Symbolism

In many cultures, these creatures are quite symbolic. In Japan, and many other cultures, it is taken as a good omen if one enters the home, but if several of them come in, it's a dreadful premonition The Greeks, along with several other cultures, see the butterflies as representation of the soul of the individual. And finally, in many other native cultures it is symbolic as a blessing from God.

Art

Butterflies have been included in the artwork of many cultures, even in the hieroglyphics of Egypt during the dynasties of the pharaohs. Currently, they are mounted and framed to decorate homes and offices, copied into jewelry, or preserved in clear polyurethane cubes. Used as inspiration, these creatures have been depicted for many centuries in sculptures, paintings, and legends.

These impressive and stunning Painted Lady Butterfly are some of the most exotic and inspiring creatures on the planet; with a fascinating metamorphosis, it never ceases to inspire the imagination, and delight people of all ages.