# American Lady

*Vanessa virginiensis*

The caterpillars are known as 'nest-builders,' weaving silk together with host plant leaves to create a protective shelter while they feed.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Nymphalidae › Vanessa
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** grassland
- **Habitat:** Open sunny areas such as meadows, fields, roadsides, forest clearings, and suburban gardens.
- **Diet:** Adults drink nectar from flowers like asters, goldenrod, and dogbane; larvae feed on everlasting and pussytoes.
- **Range:** North America, Central America, Southern Canada
- **Size:** Wingspan of 1.75 to 2.6 inches (4.5 to 6.7 cm).
- **Lifespan:** 6-12 months across all stages; adults typically live 2-4 weeks.
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Habitat loss due to development and the widespread use of herbicides and pesticides in residential areas.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless. Observe from a distance to avoid disturbing its feeding or resting. Do not attempt to catch, as their wings are extremely delicate and scales can be easily rubbed off.

## About

The American painted lady or American lady ( Vanessa virginiensis ) is a butterfly found throughout North America.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/7aec2a09-ac3b-4982-b0ef-40d143b57e0e
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/48549
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanessa virginiensis
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/4871987/medium.jpg (Fyn Kynd, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.