| |
|
|
| American Painted Lady |
Latin
Name: Vanessa virginiensis |
|
|
Genus: Vanessa Species: virginiensis |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comments: |
| Considered a common butterfly, the American Painted Lady is often overlooked despite its attractiveness. The intricately detailed, agate-like design on the underside of the wings is a sharp contrast to the bold orange and black pattern above. Nervous and wary, it is difficult to approach and a challenge to closely observe. When disturbed, it takes off in a low, erratic flight but often returns to a nearby location just a few moments later. The larvae construct individual shelters on the host by spinning together leaves and flowerheads with silk. Inside, the larvae safely rest when not actively feeding. |
| |
|
Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
multiple generations; adults overwinter |
Egg: |
small pale green eggs laid singly on upper surface of host leaves |
Larva: |
variable; greenish yellow with narrow black bands to black with cream bands and numerous red-based, branched spines; pair of prominent white spots on each segment |
Host Plants: |
Purple Cudweed, Wandering Cudweed, Narrow-leaved Cudweed, Sweet Everlasting and others |
| |
|
Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
Purple Cudweed, Wandering Cudweed, Narrow-leaved Cudweed, Sweet Everlasting and others |
| |
|
Habitat: |
Habitat: |
open, disturbed sites including roadsides, old fields, pastures, utility easements and gardens |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Wingspan: |
Inches: |
1.75 - 2.4 |
Centimeters: |
4.4 - 6.1 |
| |
|
Appearance: |
Sexes: |
similar; females with broader wings |
Compare: |
Painted Lady has a row of four small ventral hindwing eyespots. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Markings: |
| |
Above:
- orange with dark markings and borders; forewing has small white spots near apex
|
 |
Below:
- brown with ornate, cream cobweb pattern; hindwing has two large eyespots and narrow lavender marginal band
|
|
|
|
Abundance: |
common to abundant |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
|
