PAINTED LADY & American Lady
American Lady on asters. I find American Ladies from March through October. In some years, they can be numerous in spring and early summer. (Painted Ladies, by contrast, are usually scarce before July.)
This is a Painted Lady on a zinnia. Compare it with the American Lady below. Notice that the forewing tips on this Painted Lady are round instead of square. There is no white dot in the rectangular forewing cell, and the four dots on the bottom of the hindwing are about the same size.
This American Lady is somewhat atypical because it lacks the white dot in the rectangular forewing cell. This dot can be reduced or absent.
This is an American Lady. American Ladies have square-shaped forewing tips, a white dot inside the rectangular forewing cell, and blue centers inside the first and fourth dots on the bottom of their hindwings.
This is a ventral view of an American Lady on echinacea. Notice that it has two large eyespots on the hindwing (and a white dot in the rectangular cell).
For contrast, here is a ventral view of a Painted Lady. It has four small eyespots on the hindwing rather than two large ones.
Painted Ladies are migratory, and their numbers fluctuate from year to year. In some years, they are fairly common; in others, they are nearly absent. My personal early date is May 19th, but they are much more common in late summer and fall. Painted Ladies are surprisingly cold-hardy for a butterfly that does not overwinter in Ohio. They will fly very late into the fall. My personal late date is December 2nd!
Painted Ladies are avid nectarers. This individual was photographed on a zinnia at Cox Arboretum.
