West Coast Lady

Odd distribution, but I learned something. It was range that led me stray. We get the occasional west coast lady here and they are stunning!

http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Vanessa-annabella Look at the pictures and read the distribution!

The range for Annabella is indeed West Coast and into Mexico as well, see my link below.

Karen, please verify the text and the map on the BAMONA reference I provided. For another distribution reference: http://eol.org/pages/4069329/maps

My first thought was W Coast, but it looks so different from ours and thre is no indication that W Coast move into inland mexico At least we all agree it's Vanessa sp!

I agree with Daniele and bayucca. The Painted Lady has an extra row of white spots on the wingtips so that can be ruled out straight away. Now look at the eye spots (black with white centres) on the rear of the hind wings, I see 3 on the nearer wing but the American Lady only has 2, separated by 2 dark spots so that is ruled out also.

Thanks for your confirmation bayucca!

Please check Vanessa annabella, and see what others say. Unlike V. cardui and V. virginiensis, and like your butterfly, it has an orange bar at the leading edge of the forewing.

Yes, Vanessa annabella. http://butterfliesofamerica.com/images/Nymphalidae/Nymphalinae/Vanessa_annabella/Vanessa_annabella_M_Kern_Co_CA_USA_01-V-09_BOA.jpg

Hi Nayeli! I can at least tell you that this is not Vanessa virginiensis. Vanessa virginiensis has an extra white dot within the forewing subapical orange field, which can not be seen in your specimen. Have a look at this picture to see where this extra white dot is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_painted_lady#mediaviewer/File:American_Lady_Vanessa_virginiensis_Upper_Wings_1609px.jpg

Vanessa cardui?