American lady vs American snout

These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell an American lady from an American snout, and whether either one bites or stings.

≠The key differences

Also orange-brown but lacks the snout; wing pattern and size differ and Vanessa holds wings more flat at rest.

	American lady	American snout
To humans	Non-toxic	Non-toxic
Size	45-60 mm wingspan	35-50 mm wingspan
Colours	Orange, Black, White, Brown	Orange-brown, Dark brown, Cream/white, Mottled tan
Family	Nymphalidae	Nymphalidae
Habitat	Open, sunny habitats: gardens, meadows, roadsides, fields and open woodland edges; also urban gardens and parks.	Woodlands, riparian edges, parks and suburban areas where hackberry trees grow
Range	Widespread across North America: from southern Canada through the United States into northern Mexico. Common regionally throughout its range.	Widespread across the southern and eastern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America; can appear farther north in warm-season migrations and irruptions
Active	Active during warm months; often seen from spring through fall (regional), daytime (diurnal).	Spring through fall (longer in southern range); diurnal, most active on warm, sunny days
Pest?	No	No

Look for two prominent rounded eyespots on the underside of the hindwing (one usually larger).
Orange-brown upperwings with a black forewing tip that bears pale spots.
Wingspan about 45-60 mm; underside mottled browns and grays when wings are closed for camouflage.
Compare with painted lady: American lady usually has two prominent hindwing eyespots while painted lady (Vanessa cardui) has smaller and more numerous spots on the underside.

Long forward-projecting labial palpi (the 'snout') visible from head-on
Dark brown forewings with orange basal patches and white spots near the squared-off tips
At rest wings are held closed over the back, giving a dead-leaf appearance
Smaller than many common butterflies; wingspan about 35-50 mm

Also orange-brown but lacks the snout; wing pattern and size differ and Vanessa holds wings more flat at rest.

American lady: Non-toxic. American snout: Non-toxic. Harmless. Harmless to people: does not bite or sting and has no venom.

Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.