Quick question

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum and have a quick question. How do you tell apart a Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and an American Painted Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)? Unfortunately, my books only have info on the first butterfly. I've looked at the photos in the BugFiles, but I can't tell them apart. Are the differences very subtle? I'm trying to figure out which one is in this photo. It never opened its wings long enough for me to get a good look at the tops of them. Any ideas? Thanks!

~Kristy

Okay, I just realized that this is a Red Admiral, ooops! I'd still like to know how to tell the Painted Ladies apart, though.

This message was edited Jul 1, 2007 2:17 PM

This message was edited Jul 1, 2007 2:23 PM

I am very new here too Kristi. I am sorry I cannot help you identify the differences in the two Painted Ladies but my question is does that butterfly look a little beat up or is it just the angle of the photo? Poor thing, looks like she has been through a hailstorm.

Leslie

Kristy, my book, Butterfly Gardening for The South, says the Painted Lady has 4 or 5 small black dots on the lower surface of each hindwing, and the American Painted Lady has only 2 very large black dots with blue centers. Hope that helps.

Kristi - Here is a link that might be helpful:
http://www.laspilitas.com/butterflies/Butterflies_and_Moths/American_Painted_lady/American_painted_lady.html

Welcome to the Forum!!! It's addicting ..... let me warn you now! LOL!

Hi guys,

Thanks for your responses. Leslie, I thought the butterfly looked a little beat up, but when I looked at her closer, I realized that just the way that kind looks. She didn't look like she had torn wings or anything. fly_girl and becky - thanks, that helps a lot! That's the kind of detail I was looking for. Now I know the difference, hehe! Thanks!

~Kristy... here's a pretty butterfly pic for y'all ;D

What's stands out the most (for me) .. is that lil pinkish spot with the white dot right in the middle of it, on the forewing: is on the American Painted Lady(Vanessa virginiensis). Easily seen from the top or undersides of the forewings ..

(it looks pinkish, viewed from the bottom sides -and- more orangey, when viewed from the top sides)

Luv your Admiral and your Monarch, Kristy/IrisLover79 ..

* (Sure hope it's not a re-peat) - but mite I extend a big ol 'hearty' welcome to DG, to ya .. Leslie/lostintexas !!

- Magpye

Ah ha, more tips, awesome, lol. Thanks Magpye! :)

~Kris... dunno if I can welcome when I'm new to this forum, too, but also welcome to Leslie! ;)

uh-oh .. Have I blatently 'missed' .. in relaying the same welcome to you, Kristy ?!? ..

Ah-hah. Kristy, you've been a subscriber for just shy of a year .. but, Leslie is practically a 'brand new' addition to DG!

Yes ma'am .. Welcome to the 'hummer & flutterbye' forum, Kristy! (I sho' did miss that one) .. heehee

- Magpye

LOL! That's okay, Magpye. Thanks for the welcome. I love DG (I'm on here everyday). Been expanding into new forums, recently, hehe. ;D

~Kris

Welcome to all of you!! Every "new" person teaches me something new!!

Adrienne

Hi all,

Stumbled into a post on the bug id forum this morning and found that claypa posted this wonderful link showing the differences between a Painted Lady and an American Painted Lady, with side by side photos, sweet! ;D

http://bugguide.net/node/view/71459

~Kris

Thanks you guys. And Kristi it does seem like you are way more knowledgeable than I in this butterfly arena. I don't even have a picture up on here yet. But everyone gives such a warm welcome and are so helpful and knowlegeable I know at the rate I am going I will be right up there with yall in about oh three years or so.

Oh and Kristi, sorry for insulting your butterfly. See I did not know that one was not a little ragged and was supposed to look like that.

You are sweet Magpye.

Leslie

Hi Leslie,

Oh, I don't think I know that much about butterflies, lol. I've just been finding stuff other members have posted and putting it in here, hehe. And you didn't insult my butterfly, I thought he looked a little beat up, too. I guess it's just cause the outer part of his wings are so dingy. Don't feel bad, babe. I learn a lot each time I open my books or click on a link!

Later,
~Kris