Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

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Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies
Lepidoptera
   Nymphalidae

     Vanessa annabella
     West Coast Lady


upperside
underside

Size: wingspread 1.5-1.8 in.
Recognition: Tip of FW is flat (squared) rather than curved (rounded) like that on V. cardui; orange marking in mid-leading FW, not white like other Painted and American Ladies; row of spots on bottom HW have distinct blue center.
Flight period: Flies all year, but is common from February to November.
Hostplants: Larvae feed on plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae), including Malva, Sphaeralcea, and Sidalcea.
Habitat: Various habitats including fields, gardens, lots, urban environments, and hillsides.
Distribution: Along the West coast, from British Columbia into Mexico, but rare in deserts, it prefers lowlands. There is a permanent population on Santa Cruz Island.

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