American Lady (University of Arizona Pollinator Field Guide)

American Lady

Vanessa virginiensis

Who am I? ²

Hi! I am an American lady, or some seem to enjoy calling me the American painted lady (Vanessa virginiensis). I look very similar to my relatives, the Painted lady (Vanessa cardui) and West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella), but! We are not the same! If you look very closely at our patterns, we have some nice differences.

Quick facts ²

Common name: American lady / American painted lady

Scientific name:Vanessa virginiensis (Drury 1773)

Family: Nymphalidae - Nymphalinae

Characteristics:

Wingspan: 1 3/4 - 2 5/8 inches (4.5 - 6.7 cm)
Generally a little larger than Vanessa cardui
Two eyespots on underside of hindwing are more prominent than Vanessa cardui and
Vanessa annabella
Upperside: orange with black markings that are narrower than Vanessa cardui
Underside: forewing has a bright pink area
Forewing and hindwing tips are more bluntly shaped
Seasonal dimorphism: summer - brighter, larger; winter - paler, smaller
Caterpillars: varies in color, typically green with thin black rings and dark red spines
Caterpillars form nests and shelters out of leaf hairs and (when larger) leaves and flower heads

Host plant: Prefers cudweeds (Gnaphalium), everlastings (Anaphalis,), and Pussytoes (Antennaria). May also enjoy wormwood (Artemisia), ironweed (Vernonia), and burdock (Arctium)

Nectar plant: Includes dogbane, aster, goldenrod, marigold, selfheal, common milkweed, and vetch. May also be found feeding on sap, rotting fruit, and mud

Distribution: Generally southern edge, W, and E coasts of the United States; Mexico to Columbia

Flight times: Present all year in deep south and Texas (overwinter); seems to be most abundant in the summer months; has 3-4 broods from May - November. See seasonality: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/48549-Vanessa-virginiensis

Read more about me here: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/american_lady.htm

Where can you find me on campus? ²

Currently, there are no observations of the American lady on campus. There is one sighting south of the stadium, but it is possible that it was Vanessa cardui. It may be possible to sight one at the various flower establishments around campus, such as around Old Main, the pollinator gardens are Biological Sciences West, or in front of the Education building. But until there are more observations it is difficult to predict.