The American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) is a fascinating butterfly closely related to the Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui). Distinguishing them can be difficult.
A significant difference between the two butterflies is the underside of their hindwings. As you can see in the photo below, there are two “eyespots” on the American Lady’s hindwings.
Painted Ladies, on the other hand, have four eye spots. These eyespots are a protection mechanism to fool predators into thinking these butterflies are larger animals.
American Ladies migrate long distances, but not as long as the Monarch butterflies. American Ladies spend their winters in the southern United States and then migrate north in the spring.
Another difference in the American Lady is a tiny white dot on its forewings, about a third down from the top. However, they are not easily noticeable in the photos shown here. These enlarged sections help to reveal the dots.
All American Lady photos were captured on my Samsung S23 phone on one of my bike rides along the Brushy Creek Regional Trail. The images were edited in Lightroom, Topaz Photo AI, Luminar Neo, and Photoshop.
Those are the stories behind the shots. If you liked these photos, you might also be interested in other posts featuring American Lady, Biking, Brushy Creek Regional Trail, Cellpic Sunday, CellpicSunday, Mealy Blue Sage, Painted Lady. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
For John’s Cellpic Sunday.
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Anne Sandler
Simply beautiful Egidio. And educational too!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne. It’s always a joy to hear back from you.
Writing to Freedom
Nice!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Brad.
sandyjwhite
Great shots!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sandy.
Nicole Sara
Splendid images, such beautiful colors! 🙂
Egidio Leitao
I’m glad you liked them, Nicole. Thank you.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Che bellezza! Grazie per la condivisione. Conosco bene la Vanessa cardui, diffusa in Italia e Finlandia.
Egidio Leitao
Grazie. Sono contento che ti siano piaciuti e che li abbia visti in Finlandia e in Italia.
philosophy through photography
Fab colours, Egidio. Love them.
Egidio Leitao
So glad you liked them. Thank you.
philosophy through photography
Welcome, Egidio.
photobyjohnbo
Butterflies are such beautiful creatures. Wonderful captures, Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. They fascinate me.