Butterfly (Vanessa atalanta)
Vanessa (butterfly)
Vanessa, in entomology, the typical genus of the sub-family Vanessinae or Vanessidi. Antennae with the club somewhat prolonged; fore wings with a distinct projection in the hind margin above the middle, the inner margin nearly straight; hind wings generally with. a short projection in the hind margin. Caterpillar spiny. The best known species are: Vanessa atalanta ( = Pyrameis atalanta, Newman), the red admiral; Vanessa io, the peacock butterfly; Vanessa antiopa, the white-bordered butterfly, called also the camberwell beauty; Vanessa polychloros, the large, and Vanessa urticae, the small tortoise-shell. Sometimes the comma butterfly, Grapta C. album, is called Vanessa C. album, and ranked as a sixth species. Darwin notes the resemblance of the closed wings of some species to the bark of trees; but, in spite of their protective coloring, they are palatable to birds and lizards. There is a species, Vanessa pluto, in the Oligocene of Radoboj, in Croatia. The pattern of the wings has escaped obliteration. Called also Mylothritis pluto, and supposed by some to belong to the Pieridae.
