American Lady Butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis)
This butterfly is sponsored by The Monarch Crusader, Carol Pasternak (Ontario, Canada)
This butterfly loves open areas and enjoys visiting gardens. The American Lady is beautifully colored with two large eye spots on the underside of the hind wings. This is the characteristic that distinguishes it from the Painted Lady butterfly.
They usually fly close to the ground so they are easy to notice but getting a good look is difficult since they are quick fliers. The American Lady butterfly is common and they are a delight to have in any garden.
See how we found an American Lady Caterpillar on it’s host plant.
American Lady Butterfly Life Cycle
Burgundy Body with Beige Stripes
Copyright: Fred Miller
Red Caterpillar with Stripes
Copyright: Patty Bigner
Beige Chrysalis
Copyright: Fred Miller
Drying Wings after Emerging from Chrysalis
Copyright: Fred Miller
Butterfly with Two Eyespots on Hind Wing
Copyright: Fred Miller
Using Proboscis to Feed
Copyright: Fred Miller
American Lady Butterfly Host and Nectar Plants
Host Plants for the American Lady Butterfly: (What is this?)
Nectar Plants for the American Lady Butterfly: (What is this?)
Aster, Bee Balm, Common Milkweed, Dogbane, Goldenrod, Joe-Pye weed, Marigold, Tall Verbena, and more
American Lady Butterfly Facts And Information
Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)
Butterfly Subfamily: True Brushfoot (Nymphalinae)
Butterfly Wingspan: 1 3/4 in. to 2 5/8 in.
Butterfly Habitat: Open areas, gardens
Similar To: Painted Lady Butterfly, West Coast Lady Butterfly
American Lady Butterfly Flight Range Map
Note: Map represents approximate butterfly flight range.
