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An extremely rare American Painted Lady was seen and photographed in Cornwall

9/22/2022

American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensi

On the 20 September 2022, 2:30pm, me and Rob went for a walk in Nare Head on the Roseland Peninsula. This is one of our favourite places in Cornwall. On our way to the headland, we saw Lawrence Sampson and had a chat with him for a few minutes before we carried on with our walk.

There's quite a few butterflies and birds around. From the carpark to the headland, we saw:

Butterflies: Clouded Yellow, Green-veined White, a huge number of Large White, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White, Speckled Wood and Wall
Birds: Corvids, Sparrowhawk, Stonechat, Whinchat, Yellowhammer and a lot more...

I have taken photos of the butterflies and birds that we saw. Before I went to sleep that evening, I posted my photos in Facebook. The next morning, I have missed calls on my mobile, I have messages on my email, I have comments on my photos in Facebook. One comment catches my eye, a particular comment from our good friend Lee Slaughter - "Are you sure that this isn't the exceptionally rare Hunter's Painted Lady or American Painted Lady Rowena? Get this photo checked out urgently! I think it is an American (Hunter's) Painted Lady! PM me where you saw this please? Could be a 1st for Cornwall if it is!" I immediately checked my photos very closely one by one. Checked out Google and Wikipedia too. I was shocked and amazed. It suddenly dawned on me that the butterfly I thought was a Painted Lady was actually the extremely rare American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensis. Wow, that's awesome. I could not believe my luck. Thanks to the sharp and discerning eyes of Lee. He is certainly the best in the butterfly world. It's also been confirmed by Peter Eeles from UK Butterflies.

This American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensis was first seen in the British Isles in August 1828 at Withybush, near Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire. For the past few years, it's been seen around the UK and Cornwall. On 12 October 2006, Paul Callaway have seen and photographed it on St Marys, Isles of Scilly.

I celebrated my 50th birthday this year. I thought I already received all the surprises from family and friends but seeing this butterfly is the greatest surprised ever.

Me and Rob are absolutely delighted and over the moon that we saw again another rarity in Cornwall. You'll never really know you might see in Cornwall. This Duchy is full of surprises.

American Painted Lady
Vanessa virginiensis

Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui

Difference between an American Painted Lady and a Painted Lady

The chief difference, the one that is easiest to identify for most, is the tiny white spot on the American Painted Lady. It is located in the postmedian area of the forewing. In the corresponding area of the Painted Lady, no such spot will be found.

Another good identifying mark will be the eyespots in the postmedian area of the hindwings of both butterflies. On the upperside, they are quite similar in size for both. But on the underside, two large eyespots can be clearly seen on the American Painted Lady, whereas four are discernible on the Painted Lady and they are much smaller.