American Lady or American Painted Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
This beautiful butterfly can be found throughout the U.S. and into southern Canada as well as northern South America. Adult butterflies have two forms – in the early season, it is larger and more colorful; in the late season, it is duller in color with smaller wings.
The American Lady’s hindwing eyespots are much more prominent than those of the Painted Lady. it has 2 large spots and the Painted lady would have 4-5 smaller spots.
The larvae of the American lady create nests of silk and leaves at the tips of flower stalks. They stay in this nest for protection during the day, feeding at night.
Butterfly Size: 1 3/4 – 2 5/8 inches
Habitats: Open places with low vegetation including dunes, meadows, parks, vacant lots, forest edges
Plants for the American Lady Butterfly
HOST PLANTS
- everlasting (Gnaphalium obtusifolium)
- pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)
- plantain-leaved pussy toes (Antennaria plantaginifolia)
- wormwood (Artemisia)
- ironweed (Vernonia)
- burdock
FOOD PLANTS
Flower nectar almost exclusively including:
- dogbane
- aster
- goldenrod
- marigold
- selfheal
- common milkweed
- vetch
Food and Host Plants
Aster Marigold Goldenrod Ironweed
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We provide educational workshops and cultural programs; community and youth activities; encourage heritage, cultural, and nature tourism in our region; and act as an advocate for the South Delta.
