The Cynthia group of colourful butterflies, commonly called painted ladies, comprises a subgenus of the genus Vanessa in the Family Nymphalidae. They are well known throughout most of the world.The group includes: Painted lady (Vanessa cardui), which is almost global in its distribution Australian painted lady (Vanessa kershawi) American (painted) lady (Vanessa virginiensis) West Coast lady (Vanessa annabella).