The American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) on shallot blossoms. It has been known by a number of common names including American lady, American painted lady, painted beauty, and Hunter's butterfly. Although the adult American lady is an attractive butterfly, it is probably best known among naturalists for the characteristic nests made by its caterpillars. Larvae make nests at the tops of host plants by silking together leaves and chaff at the tips of the flower stalks where they hide during the daytime and come out at night and on overcast days to feed.