This butterfly belongs to the same genus as the red admiral, and has a wingspan of about 2 inches. It is similar to the American Painted Lady (V. virginiensis) except that the white spots are larger and the orange color on the wings and body is more in the yellow range than the red range.

Painted Ladies are widespread through out the world, being found in Europe, Asia and Africa, and they aptly have the alternate name of Cosmopolite. They are found throughout North America in summer, as far as sub-artic regions, migrating northwards from the warmer southeast. The butterflies feed on thistles, mallows and a variety of plants from the aster family.