Invertebrates
See our handy guide to critters found in local homes and our Central Coast Butterfly FAQ. Browse the insects and other terrestrial arthropods we’ve identified. Check out local marine invertebrates, particularly bivalve mollusks and intertidal organisms.
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Mariposa - butterfly ID
Hello! Do you know what type of butterfly this is? I thought maybe Painted Lady, but not sure.
Thanks!
Curator Response
Hi Kevin,
Nice photo! This is the closely-related American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) rather than the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui). While they look similar, the number and size of eyespots on the underside of the hindwing is useful to differentiate them. Painted Ladies have four or five smaller eyespots on the hindwing, while American Ladies have two large eyespots. See the photo below showing the undersides of a Painted Lady (left) and an American Lady (right) for reference. (You can click or tap to enlarge the photo.) The wing shape also differs a bit, with Painted Ladies having more evenly pointed forewings, whereas the forewing tips of American Ladies are more squared-off.
To compare these to other related species, such as the West Coast Lady, it may be helpful to look through the guide to Santa Barbara butterflies linked from our Central Coast Butterfly FAQ page.
Sincerely,
Schlinger Chair of Entomology Alex Harman, M.S.
