lady or admiral ?

[georgehogg]

Found a caterpillar in my garden recycling in .
Obviously Red Admiral or Painted Lady.
Always have trouble telling the two larva or pupa apart in photos (away from food plant).
Facebook butterfly i.d. site has suggested Painted lady but I find that unlikely given site and foodplants.
However it did eat thistle I gave it.
Any opinions ?
Hopefully I will know for sure next summer if it survives.

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[IAC]

George,
My money is on Red Admiral though the Thistle is throwing me as I have only ever seen Painted Lady pupating on Thistle. My money is also on that chrysalis emerging this year, not next....should be good for end of September...keep an eye.


Iain

[georgehogg]

Thanks Ian , Sure you are right,and I gave it the thistle after after an internet expert said it was painted lady.
I really must start trusting my own IDs.
Turns out Abbie and Nick also have RA pupaes in captivity at present .We are all waiting for the adults breaking out this month.
Surely one of us will be present to get pics.