Cynthia is a group of colourful butterfly species that used to be considered a subgenus of the genus Vanessa, in the family Nymphalidae.

The Cynthia group includes at least five species (to which some authors add other South American Vanessa species): The Painted lady (V. cardui) is a large butterfly (wing span 5–9 cm (2.0–3.5 in)) identified by the black and white corners of its mainly deep orange, black-spotted wings.

The American painted lady (V. virginiensis) is most easily distinguishable by its two large hindwing eyespots on the ventral side.

A less reliable indicator is the row of eyespots on the dorsal submarginal hindwing; V. virginiensis often has two larger outer spots with blue pupils.

V. annabella and V. carye have a fully orange subapical band and leading edge on the forewing.