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Project Noah Nature School
Vanessa virginiensis
Upperside with uneven brown, yellow, and orange pattern. Forewing with a black apical patch, a small white spot in the orange field below the patch, and a white bar at the leading edge of the forewing. Underside of hindwing with two large eyespots. Winter form is smaller and paler, summer form larger with brighter coloring. Wing Span: 1 3/4 - 2 5/8 inches (4.5 - 6.7 cm).
The bloom is of a silver and gold groundcover, Ajania pacifica. It has bright golden-yellow button-like flowers that adorn the plant in late fall.
Spotted on Dec 2, 2012
Submitted on Dec 7, 2012
2 Comments
I have been amazed at the numbers and where they are this year. Usually I only see them in Dallas or Fort Worth - a good 30 miles from here. This year they are in my yard. I thought this was the same one I saw a few days ago, but the chunk out of the hind wing is on the other side. Interesting that they both have the same size chunk missing in the same place on opposite hind wings. The secret lives of butterflies :)
It must be the season because I spotted another one in dec 1.