Which butterfly is the most widely distributed species in the world?

The painted lady is the most widely distributed butterfly species in the world.

Its scientific name is Vanessa cardui, and it occurs on every continent except Antarctica and South America, where it is absent or only rarely recorded depending on the region. This broad range makes it one of the most geographically successful butterflies.

Painted ladies are strong fliers and undertake long-distance movements. In parts of Europe, populations migrate northward in spring and later produce generations that move south. Their caterpillars use many host plants, including thistles, mallows, and members of the bean family.

The species is sometimes mistaken for the American painted lady, Vanessa virginiensis. The two are related and can look similar, but they are distinct species. The painted lady’s broad distribution reflects both its mobility and its flexible choice of larval food plants.