Painted Lady Butterfly

I know that the Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui is worldwide. American Lady, Vanessa virginiens is found throughout temperate North America as well as Madeira and the Canary Islands. Occasionally individuals can be found as far as south-west Europe. West Coast Lady, Vanessa annabella, is throughout much of the western US and south western Canada. Another, Vanessa carye, is in South America. Not sure if you have another in your area, you may have to visit here to see more. :)

Thanks, it shows it on all the pictures just like mine, but it doesn't seem so clear in my book, which is why I asked. No idea if we have those other species over here, from the names perhaps not.

I often see this marking. Bugguide.net has a great page on the differences in the American, Painted and West Coast Ladies. http://bugguide.net/node/view/2649