Vanessa virginiensis
Size:
Wingspan is
1 3/4 - 2 1/8 inches.
Similar Species:
Painted Lady
Habitat:
Fields, meadows, roadsides and gardens.
Range/Abundance:
Common and widespread
in the entire region.
Flight Period:
Adults fly from mid March until November in three to four broods with
slight gaps between broods.
Larval Host Plants:
Pearly Everlasting Anaphalis margaritacea and pussytoes Antennaria
spp. including Field Pussytoes A. neglecta, Shale-barren
Pussytoes A. virginica, Single-headed Pussytoes A. solitaria
and cudweeds Gnaphalium spp.
Comments:
The American Lady is easily found in gardens and is a favorite
to many butterfliers. The old common name American Painted Lady is not
used anymore. I think the old name confuses beginners because the name
so similar to Painted Lady, a very similar species in the same genus.
Look for the two large eye-spots on the hindwing as shown in the top rollover photo. The similar and usually rarer Painted Lady has four small eyes-spots. This is very easy to see on the perched butterflies.
The top photo was taken in Durham Co., NC on September
28, 2000. The second photo was taken in Moore Co., NC on September 13,
2003. The third photo was taken in Orange Co., NC on August 6 2002. The
third rollover and bottom photos were taken in Granville Co., NC on November
15, 2002.
