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).
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 14 Jul. 2025.
References
Author
Opler, Paul A.
Title
A field guide to western butterflies.
Publication Date
1999
Pages
540
Author
Bird, C. D., G.J. Hilchie, N.G. Kondla, E.M. Pike and F. A. H. Sperling
Title
Alberta Butterflies
Publication Date
1995
Pages
349
Author
Guppy, Crispin S. and Jon H. Shepard
Title
Butterflies of British Columbia.
Publication Date
2001
Pages
414
Author
Layberry, Ross A.; Hall, Peter W. and J. Donald LaFontaine
Title
The Butterflies of Canada
Publication Date
1998
Pages
280
Specimen Information
There are 15 specimens of this Species.
UASM21509 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-09-07
UASM21510 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Maine, York county, Biddeford
Date Collected1900-08-16
UASM21511 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1919-07-01
UASM211881 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedMexico: Veracruz, Dos Amates
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1972-05-17
UASM211882 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedMexico: Veracruz, Dos Amates
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1972-05-17
UASM211883 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedMexico: Veracruz, Dos Amates
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1972-05-17
UASM211884 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedMexico: Veracruz, Dos Amates
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1972-05-17
UASM211885 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedMexico: Veracruz, Dos Amates
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1972-05-17
UASM211886 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: New Mexico, Curry county, Clovis
Collected ByMJA
Date Collected1985-06-19
UASM211887 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Texas, Tom Green county, San Angelo
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1987-05-28
UASM211888 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: California, Los Angeles county
Collected ByClayton, R. K.
Date Collected1990-07-05
UASM211889 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Florida, Manatee county, Bradenton
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1988-03-26
UASM211890 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Florida, Manatee county, Bradenton
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1988-03-26
UASM211891 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Arkansas, Hot Springs (ARKAN)
Collected ByMJA
Date Collected1985-06-11
UASM211892 - Vanessa virginiensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Texas, Val Verde county, Amistad Reservoir
Collected ByMJA
Date Collected1987-05-20