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Species Details

Vanessa virginiensis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

Common NameAmerican Lady SeasonalityThere are two Alberta records are from July and one from September. IdentificationThe two large eyespots on the hindwing underside separate this species from the numerous smaller eyespots of the other ladies (V. cardui and V. annabella). There are no described subspecies.
Scientific Name Vanessa virginiensis Common Name American Lady Habitat No defined habitat preferences in Alberta; occurs as a rare migrant only. Seasonality There are two Alberta records are from July and one from September. Identification The two large eyespots on the hindwing underside separate this species from the numerous smaller eyespots of the other ladies (V. cardui and V. annabella). There are no described subspecies. Life History
The caterpillar is black with a complex pattern of yellow or white bands and lateral spots. The spines are black with a red base (Layberry et al. 1998). The American Lady is rare in western Canada, and occurs only as…
The caterpillar is black with a complex pattern of yellow or white bands and lateral spots. The spines are black with a red base (Layberry et al. 1998). The American Lady is rare in western Canada, and occurs only as an occasional migrant; it is more common in eastern Canada, where it forms two additional generations after immigrating in May (Layberry et al. 1998). Judging by the dates, the Alberta specimens may have originated from migrants of these second and third generations; perhaps this species 'leap-frogs' northward with progressive generations in good years.
Conservation A rare migrant, not established in Alberta. Diet Info
The larvae feed on member of the aster family (Asteraceae), particularly cudweed (Gnaphalium spp.) and and everlasting (Antennaria spp.) (Layberry et al. 1998). There are no larval records for western Canada (Guppy &…
The larvae feed on member of the aster family (Asteraceae), particularly cudweed (Gnaphalium spp.) and and everlasting (Antennaria spp.) (Layberry et al. 1998). There are no larval records for western Canada (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Range Southern Canada (one record from Churchill, MB) south to Colombia (Opler 1999).
Vanessa virginiensis
Vanessa virginiensis

Citation

Page Citation for Vanessa virginiensis

Page Citation

"Species Details - Vanessa virginiensis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2664. Accessed 06 Feb. 2023.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Hexapoda Subclass Insecta Order Lepidoptera Suborder Ditrysia Superfamily Papilionoidea Family Nymphalidae Subfamily Nymphalinae Genus Vanessa Species Vanessa virginiensis
This hierarchy is created from our museum records, it may not always accurately reflect modern taxonomies.

Taxonomic Hierarchy for University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum