User:JuslynZC/West Coast lady

Developmental Stages
The developmental stages of vanessa annabella can be divided into eight different stages: first instar larva, second instar larva, third instar larva, fourth instar larva, fifth instar larva, prepupa, pupa, and adult. In their adult stage, there is subtle sexual dimorphism between males and females, as females have a more rounded hindwing compared to their male counterparts. The color pattern is the same on both males and females: “tawny orange with black markings, white subapical forewing spots, and blue pupilled hindwing ocelli." Their expanse averages generally vary between 40 and 48 mm, with females often being larger than males. The total time it takes for this species to develop is typically between 30 to 36 days.

Natural History
This butterfly is often seen basking in open areas in its habitat. Their habitats are mostly localized to open areas from the Upper Sonoran to the Canadian zones. The West Coast Lady is a multiple brooded species, meaning that there are more than one set of offspring within a single breeding season. Sightings of this butterfly have been captured from May to December in Huntington Beach by Ron Vanderhoff. Most captures of this butterfly are usually made in April and May. They are generally distributed in Orange County in places of lower elevations.

Vanessa Annabella feeds on plants in the families of Malvacae and Urtiacae. In Southern California, the common native hostplants include Urtica holosericea Nutt. (U rticaceae), Sida species, Sphaeralcea ambigua Gray (Malvaceae), and Sidalcea malvaeflora (DC.) Gray. Their eggs are pale green and are laid singly on the upperside of the hostplant leaves. Additionally, their pupation sites are either on the leaves of the hostplant or on nearby objects such as twigs or branches.

Both the males and females of the species visit flowers. During the afternoon, males are typically found congregating in areas such as hilltops, forest openings, glades, meadows, streamside slopes, and patches of dry earth which are particularly suitable for basking in the sun. At these areas, males spend a large amount of time and energy chasing each other and sometimes engaging in courtship and mating with females. Though females to not congregate in a similar manner to the males, they are likely to be found on hilltops feeding, seeking foodplants, or ovipositing.