One Dozen Live Painted Lady Butterflies Wingspan 2 inches The painted lady is one of the most widespread butterfly species in the world. Although small, the painted lady is pretty, with mottled colorations of pink, orange, white and brown on the upper sides of its wings. Painted ladies are fine release companions to monarchs. By themselves, however, they do not provide a grand release unless released in fairly large numbers. Painted ladies will live and mate after being released. Females are capable of producing hundreds of light blue eggs. Their favorite host plants are thistles, hollyhocks, and other mallow family members.