| Vanessa virginiensis (Drury, 1773) |
| Status: Uncommon to common resident or stray. |
| Flight Period(s): Normally two flights are expected. Nebraska records range from 16 April – 24 October. |
| Range: Found from northern South America north to southern Canada. It can be found statewide in Nebraska. |
| Larval Hostplant(s): Pussytoes (Antennaria species) in Nebraska. |
| Overwinter: As adults or pupae. Various authors differ in opinions as to how far north the species can survive winter. Nebraska lies in the debated zone. |
| Commentary/Habitat: Found in almost any habitat with the exception of dense woodlands. While uncommon most years, the species occasionally becomes abundant (as in 2001). The low growing hostplant is found in short or disturbed vegetations. Adults have been observed nectaring on chokecherry, milkweed and alfalfa. |
| Similar Species: Ventrally the American Lady has only two large eyespots on the hindwing, while the more common Painted Lady and rarer West Coast Lady have four to five smaller variable eyespots. |
