American Lady

Although the adult American lady is an attractive butterfly, it is probably best known among naturalists for the characteristic nests made by its caterpillars. It resides in open places with low vegetation including dunes, meadows, parks, vacant lots, and forest edges.

American Lady

Shop

Photo Credit: John Blair

Vanessa virginiensis

  • Artemisia spp

    • Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis)

    • Field sagewort (Artemisia campestris)

    • White sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. ludoviciana)

    Cudweed (Gnaphalium)

    Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)

    Pussytoes (Antennaria spp)

    Spring forget-me-not (Myosotis verna)

    Sweet Everlasting (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium )(Gnaphalium obtusifolium)

    Native plants that are listed are ones that are native to our area, the list is not exhaustive

  • Curry Plant – Helichrysum angustifolium

    Licorice Plant – Helichrysum petiolare

  • Aster, Black-eyed Susan, Coreopsis, Dogbane, Goldenrod, Hyssop, Milkweed, Phlox, Purple Coneflower, Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris), Vetch

  • Brazilian Verbena, Butterfly Bush (make sure you use a sterile variety), Heliotrope, Hyssop, Marigold, Scabiosa, Yarrow, Zinnia

  • April-November. 3-4 broods each year

  • Butterflies and Moths of North America. Butterfliesandmoths.org

    Brenda Dziedzic, Raising Butterflies in the Garden

    Heather Holm, Pollinators of Native Plants

    National Wildlife Federation. Nwf.org

    Xerces Society. Xerces.org