Nymphalidae : Nymphalinae
Vanessa virginiensis (Drury, 1773)
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis (Drury, 1773)
American Lady
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 46-68mm. Sexes similar. Very like Painted Lady Vanessa cardui but has just two large ocelli on the underside of the hindwing instead of four. In males the pale bar two thirds of the way along the costa is white whereas in females this is pink.
Range: Canada to Central America and throughout the Greater Antilles.
Status: In Cuba it appears to be resident in the Gran Piedra mountains, Santiago de Cuba, and at Moncada, Pinar del Rio.
Migrants occur in other places from time to time.
Nectar Plants: Ageratum, Lantana, Tournefortia.
Larval Foodplants: Unknown in Cuba but on the mainland it feeds on many plants in the genera Gnaphalium, Arctium, Anaphilis, Vernonia, Helianthus, Artemesia, Senecia, Antirrhinum, Malva and Antennaria.
Range: Canada to Central America and throughout the Greater Antilles.
Status: In Cuba it appears to be resident in the Gran Piedra mountains, Santiago de Cuba, and at Moncada, Pinar del Rio.
Migrants occur in other places from time to time.
Nectar Plants: Ageratum, Lantana, Tournefortia.
Larval Foodplants: Unknown in Cuba but on the mainland it feeds on many plants in the genera Gnaphalium, Arctium, Anaphilis, Vernonia, Helianthus, Artemesia, Senecia, Antirrhinum, Malva and Antennaria.
