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American Lady or American Painted Lady

American Painted Lady
American Painted Lady Caterpillar

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
    Ironweed
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Looking Back at Mont Helena by Cristie Travis

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WHAT WE DO

Mississippi’s Lower Delta Partnership promotes and enhances the economic and environmental health of Mississippi’s Lower Delta.

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.

Filed Under: Butterflies

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