Genus Vanessa - Ladies and Red Admirals

In his revision of the group in 1971, Field recognized Bassaris and Cynthia as distinct genera, but he has not been followed in his treatment, and they are usually treated as synonyms of Vanessa. Bassaris does not occur in North America, but Cynthia does, and it is not uncommon to see the name still used occasionally for our "Painted Ladies".

Butterflies and Moths of North America lists 4 species.

Mostly between about 1 and 2 inches in wingspread.

For differences between the American Lady, Vanessa virginiensis and the Painted Lady (Cosmopolitan), Vanessa cardui, see this composite of dorsal views:

Compare ventral views:

Vanessa is represented on all continents except Antarctica.

Mostly found in temperate latitudes or high elevations in the tropics. Typically in open sunny areas near food plants.

Mostly Urticaceae, Malvaceae, and Asteraceae

Spiny caterpillars, but with no prominent spines on head; the spines bear branches. Color varies considerably from species to species, and often within one species. I'm aware of no reports of spines being capable of stinging. There is a row of spines down the middle of the back (as in all subfamily Nymphalidae species). Pupae are usually brownish but may be green, gray, etc.; are angular but without long projections (they have short points) and often with a metallic gold sheen.

Four species in North America (a fifth, V. indica buana, native to Sulawesi, has been found in Texas, but may have just been a single escaped import). One additional is endemic to Hawaii. Worldwide there are between 10 and 18 species, depending upon the author. A couple of species have been added or moved to Vanessa since Field's work.

Butterflies of the Genus Vanessa and of the Resurrected Genera Bassaris and Cynthia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 84, 1971 William D. Field

The Vanessa Migration Project. Help contribute to scientific knowledge about these butterflies.