West Coast Lady and American Lady Butterflies (Vanessa)

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The genus Vanessa is a small group of brushfooted butterflies in the United States, consisting of four species:

• American Lady
• Painted Lady
• Red-Admiral
• West Coast Lady

Often the genus is referred to as the lady butterflies. Despite the presence of the Red-Admiral, the group can be physically distinguished from the Admirals (Limenitis genus) based on the patterns on the underside of the wings. The underside (side that shows when wings are folded) for Vanessa species have a more leafy or camouflage appearance.

The American Lady, Painted Lady and West Coast Lady share similar wing patterns from a top view perspective. All three also share an overlapping range in the Western United States, sometimes making field identification a confusing task.

The first picture shows a top view of the American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis). It includes a line and white dot notation. The white dot is a basic field identification mark for the species.

The second picture (immediately above this line) shows a top view of the West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella). Note the absence of a white dot on the wings. The bottom of the wings also shows a pattern of four blue dots circled in black, another field identification mark.

From a distance, the Painted Lady (not shown) looks to have black or dark dots on the bottom of the wing, with no white dot on the forewing.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels