They survive through the winter in the southwestern United States, Baja California, and Sonora. Farther north, the first frost destroys the populations and might stimulate some to migrate south for the winter, but this does not happen regularly. If adequate rain occurs in the winter it can stimulate a northerly dispersal and repopulation of the butterflies in the United States, Canada, and Iceland. This spring dispersal can sometimes be quite phenomenal, with millions moving through a region over a seven to eight week period. They come to rest for a quick nectar break on a diversity of plants before continuing their northward movement.
Nectar plants are also diverse, with a preference for thistles.
Two closely related and very similar species in our region are Vanessa annabella , the West Coast Lady, and Vanessa virginiensis , the Virginia Lady.