Swallowtail butterflies, mostly the eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), have been our constant companions this summer.
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| A male eastern tiger swallowtail feeding on common milkweed at Oregon Ridge Park in June. |
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| A female eastern tiger swallowtail feeding on swamp milkweed in a school garden in July. A variety of swallowtail species, and other insects, feeding on bergamot, milkweed, and queen anne's lace in Shenandoah National Park last week. |
While visiting Syracuse, NY this weekend, I saw a giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) for the first time. I did not get a picture, but this University of Florida web site includes some wonderful life cycle photos. (Giant swallowtails are considered pests in Florida. The larvae feed on orange trees.)
Awesome video!
ReplyDeleteLooks like the giant swallowtail we saw was a male--based on the photos on this site. (Seems the males have more yellowish spots compared w/ the females' white spots. Ours looked more chocolate brown w/ peachy spots, to me.)