thistle butterfly

noun

1. any nymphalid butterfly of the genus Vanessa, as the red admiral or painted lady.

Word History and Origins

Origin of thistle butterfly¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

The species often lay eggs on thistles, giving them the name Thistle Butterfly.

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At any rate, nettles of various kind are widely distributed over the earth's surface, and consequently it is not surprising that the Nettle Butterfly or Red Admiral should be almost as cosmopolitan as the Thistle butterfly.

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When full grown they change to chrysalids which hang straight downward and bear a general resemblance to those of the Thistle butterfly.

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Consequently the Thistle butterfly has long been recognized as the most cosmopolitan species of its group.

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The full-grown caterpillar of the Thistle butterfly is about one and a quarter inches long and of a general yellowish color, more or less marked with blackish as well as with paler lines of color.

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