These are pictures of butterflies and moths? that were in my garden this morning. Can anyone identifiy them?
This is the first.
In my garden this morning!
Second one
And third---moths?
Another of same kind?
Those are beautiful photos. You should put them on the Butterfly and Hummingbird Forum for quick IDs.
Carla
Well, the first one is a Gulf Fritilary
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1664
The second one a male Black Swallowtail
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1356
and the third is a Skipper but don't know which one.
Thank you frostweed. Is the third and fourth one a moth?
No, it is a Skipper, there are many and hard to identify, but someone knows I am sure.
Skippers are considered moths but have butterfly-like behavior i think.
They have those club-like ends on their antennae. Butterflies have smooth antennae, moths have 'fuzzy' antennae.
probably a real bug guy can tell you more.
Great pictures and I am sure a early morning treat in your garden.
Here is the info on the skipper butterfly. It is the Long-Tailed Skipper that you have in the photo.
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1922
Click under the photo for more images.
There is also more photos in the bugfiles data base on DavesGarden.
Thanks everyone!
Lovely pics! Glad to know you're having such butterfly activity there. Not a very good year for butterflies in Texas. Drought, pesticides, after-effects of hurricanes, etc. I've only seen a fraction of what I should for the last couple of years! I've only seen one single Monarch this fall and it's close to peak migration for them here in my area. What a shame! This is one of four Two-tailed Tiger Swallowtails I released last week after they emerged from their chrysalises. I found the eggs on one of my trees early in the spring and raised the caterpillars to protect them against predators. I had been wondering when they would ever turn into butterflies, but all made it!
This message was edited Oct 7, 2009 7:10 PM
Wow, it is great that you are able to protect and be sure the eggs hatch and go off into the wild blue yonder. I don't think I have the patience for that. I saw a couple more different kinds of butterflies but they were flitting around so fast I couldn't get a good picture.