Plants that support Painted Lady
9 plants
Bicolored lupine
Lupinus bicolor
annual
Opportunistic breeder; larvae feed on lupine when populations bloom
Bugloss-flowered fiddleneck
Amsinckia lycopsoides
annual
Polyphagous larval host; opportunistic use during population peaks
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
annual
Multi-generational; uses poppy blooms Feb-Sep during CA population peaks
Cobwebby Thistle
Cirsium occidentale var. venustum
annual
Larval development on thistle foliage
Common Pearlyeverlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea
perennial herb
Summer-fall nectar source during breeding season
Douglas' Thistle
Cirsium douglasii var. douglasii
perennial herb
Preferred host plant; multiple generations Mar-Oct; can be irruptive
Suisun Marsh Aster
Symphyotrichum lentum
perennial herb
opportunistic migrant utilizing available nectar
Summer Lupine
Lupinus formosus var. formosus
perennial herb
Generalist butterfly that occasionally uses lupine as larval host during population peaks
Wild Tarragon
Artemisia dracunculus
perennial herb
Polyphagous caterpillars utilize Artemisia; timing varies with California populations