The Genus Vanessa in California 
FE. O. Essic, University of California, Berkeley, Cal. 
(Lepidoptera) 
The California species of Vanessa are interesting because of the 
world distribution of two of the four species, as well as because of 
the very great numbers of at least two species which are almost 
always to be encountered in the state. The four species are: The 
red admiral, Vanessa atlanta (Linn.), the painted beauty or Hunt- 
er’s butterfly, Vanessa huntera (Fab.), the west coast lady, Va- 
nessa carye (Hiibn.)' and the painted lady or thistle butterfly, 
Vanessa cardui (Linn.). Another interesting fact is that all of 
these species have more or less distinct color phases. One of these 
phases has been described by Letcher* as a variety, Vanessa carye 
muelleri, a short description and illustration of which is also in- 
cluded. Of the above species, Vanessa cardui (Linn.), is by far 
the most abundant in the state; Vanessa carye (Hiubn.) is next, and 
ordinariy not far behind, especially in the northern and central 
parts, particularly along the coast; Vanessa atlanta (Linn.) is the 
next, with much fewer numbers, and last of all, and by far the least 
often taken, is Vanessa huntera (Fab.), though this species is by no 
means rare. 
Key To SPECIES—ADULTsS. 
The butterflies may be easily separated by the following key: 
1. Front wings black with a single reddish or tawny transverse 
gerne. (Buea ft oes 6 oe ee Vanessa atlanta (Linn.) 
Front wings mottled black, reddish and tawny.......................- 2 
2. Eye-spots on under sides of hind wings represented by white 
spots only (Big. 9). 26.8: Vanessa carye muelleri (Letcher) 
Eye-spots on under sides of hind wings distinct...................... 3 
3. Two large eye-spots on under side of each hind wing 
(GOSS) ae eee, Sa Sa OER SERS Vanessa huntera (Fab.) 
Four or five eye-spots on under side of each hind wing.......... 4 
The specific name of this butterfly is often incorrectly spelled carye. 
*Ent. News, Vol. IX, p. 38, 1898. 
