Vanessa cardui , sometimes called Cynthia cardui, more comonly known as the painted lady butterfly may be the most widespread butterfly in the world.
You can find them throughout Britain and Europe all across North America and Canada, Central America, Africa and Asia.
In Britain they appear in the summer months after their long flight up from Africa and Southern Europe. This long journey marks painted ladies out as a migratory species. It also demonstrates how tough and resilient some butterflies really can be!