Urban-butterfly
Guides
Aglais
Tortoiseshells
Aglais is a Holarctic genus of brush-footed butterflies commonly known as tortoiseshells. The genus contains several well-known European species including the small tortoiseshell (A. urticae) and the peacock butterfly (A. io). Taxonomic placement remains somewhat contentious, with some authorities treating Aglais as a subgenus of Nymphalis rather than a separate genus. Species in this genus are characterized by their distinctive wing patterns and adult hibernation behavior.
Vanessa annabella
West Coast Lady
The West Coast Lady is one of three North American "painted lady" butterflies, endemic to western North America. Long-term monitoring by UC Davis researcher Art Shapiro since 1972 documents this species as in conspicuous decline across its California range, with populations dwindling even in urban and weedy habitats where it was once abundant. The species is known to overwinter as adults in mild climates, emerging on warm winter days to nectar.