thistle butterfly

English

Noun

thistle butterfly (plural thistle butterflies)

  1. A butterfly of the genus Vanessa, especially the painted lady Vanessa cardui.
    • 1828 July, “Emigration of Butterflies”, in Benjamin Silliman, editor, The American Journal of Science and Arts, volume 14, page 388:
      The butterflies were all of one description and among the most beautiful of our country. They were caught very easily in a net, and were recognized as the thistle butterfly, called in French, the belle-dame.

Translations

References
  • thistle butterfly in Merriam-Webster
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