American Lady – Vanessa virginiensis
Since my last Butterfly Journal report I recorded a single observation, bringing the 2021 annual butterfly total for my garden to 600 (30 species)*.
[*Including a Painted Lady seen in town the overall 2021 annual butterfly total is an 601 (31 species).]
Butterfly Sightings 11/19/2021 – 11/28/2021
11/28/2021 American Lady – Vanessa virginiensis 1
A fortuitous glance out the window and a flash of orange led me outdoors just to double-check and yes, it really was a butterfly in late November nectaring on dandelion. There was time only for two quick snapshots.
American Lady – Vanessa virginiensis
American Lady – Vanessa virginiensis
What might December bring?
pbmGarden 
I haven’t seen any painted ladies here for awhile now, just cloudless sulphurs and cabbage whites. I saw a flourish of the Phoebe sennae this morning, making me wonder if some of the caterpillars had already transformed. I just looked into whether there’s an official term for a group of butterflies (like there is for crows, etc) and I discovered that the official term is “kaleidoscope” but “flourish” works too, don’t you think?
I wanted this to be a Painted Lady instead of Am. Lady so I could stop asterisking my Painted Lady found at the grocery store, rather than in my garden. Happy to see it regardless. I sadly must admit I never even thought to learn the term for a group of butterflies, so thank for sharing that info. Flourish does describe it well! I looked it up after you mentioned it and saw in addition to kaleidoscope: swarm or flutter. Groups of caterpillars are called an army, so watch out! 😀
I would guess this is one of the last for the year.
Yes, it likely is. I haven’t really searched, so there might be something out there. Next week is supposed to warm up again so I will keep eyes open.
I will keep my fingers crossed you manage to record another butterfly or two in December. This one is very similar to a Painted Lady. Glad you spotted it!
Oh, thanks so much Cathy for keeping the butterflies in mind! I learned this year Painted Lady and American Lady are both Vanessas. I saw only one Painted Lady this year, but several Am. Lady. Last year I remember having them both feeding on Lantana at the same time.