The Genus Vanessa in California 
E. O. Essk;, L'liivcrsily of Calif (iniia, licrkclcx , ('.at. 
( I.cpidoptcra) 
The California species of I'anessa are interesting because of the 
world distribution of two of the four species, as well as because of 
the \ery great numbers of at least two species which are almost 
always to be encountered In the state. The four species are: The 
red admiral, I'diics.ui allaiilii ( Linn.), the painted beauty or Hunt- 
er's butterfly, t'ancssa liiiiitera (Pab.), the west coast lady. I H- 
iirssci cciryc (Hiibn.)' and the painted lady or thistle butterfly, 
rdiit'SSii cardiii (Linn.). Another interesting fact is that all of 
these species ha\e more or less tlistinct color phases. One of these 
phases has been described by Letcher" as a \ariety, lant'ssd caryc 
intielleri, a short description and illustration of which is also in- 
cluded. Of the above species, I'aitessti cardui (Linn.), is by far 
the most abundant in the state; Vanessa carye (Hiibn.) is next, and 
nrdinariy not far behind, especially in the northern and central 
parts, particularly along the coast; J'nucssa al/anla (Linn.) is the 
next, with much fewer numbers, and last of all, and by far the least 
often taken, is I'aucssa liiiiilcni (Fab.), though this species is by no 
means rare. 
Key to Species — Adults. 
The butterflies may be easily separated by the following key: 
L Front wings black with a single reddish or tawny transverse 
stripe (Fig. 1) J'ancssa allauta (Linn.) 
Front wings mottled black, redilish antl tawny 2 
2. Eye-spots on under sides ot himl wings represented by white 
spots only (Fig. 9) J'ancssa caryc mitcllcri (Letcher) 
Eye-spots on under sides of hind wings distinct 3 
3. Two large eye-spots on under side of each hind wing 
(Fig. 2) Vanessa liiinlera (Fab.) 
Four or five eye-spots on under side of each hind wing 4 
'The specific name of this butterflv is often iiicorrectiv spelled caryir. 
'Ent. News, Vol. IX, p. 38, 189S. 
