Yesterday I was sitting on my patio and I thought there was a bat fluttering up in my green ash tree. I thought how odd a bat in broad daylight and 'fluttering'. I sat and watched and realized it was a butterfly. I have not seen a black butterfly ever and was quite thrilled. I looked for wings like a swallowtail species (bottom wing pointed) and I didn't see them. All of the wings were rounded. I didn't detect any other color either, but it was flying a ways away. I wish I had my camera or even my phone camera. It was quite large like a swallowtail. Any ideas? I am unsure if it had blue on it and I also didnt see any yellow spots. I am hoping it was scouting out my garden for goodies and will be interested in coming back for a visit. It was a very very blustery day yesterday and was very busy trying to land on something but the wind was making it a challenge. darn. Then it was gone.
Black butterfly in Minnesota?
Gkay..... This site can isolate the butterflies that you see in your county. I have got it set for Mn now. Here is the list. http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/checklists?species_type=0&tid=131 Since you don't have a picture I would think size first. I know you said it didn't have ST tails but they could have been worn or damaged. If it was large, that would be the first species to look at.
Thank you Sheila. It could have been a Pipevine with less spotty coloring. I didn't get to see the insides of the wings so there could have been blue coloration on the inside wings. It was very big. Amazing. I am going to keep an eye peeled this weekend. The weather will be nice and I'll be on the patio with my grandson playing with the sprinklers alllllll weekend. ha!
You bet, glad to help.
The black butterfly came back for a visit and it is indeed a black swallowtail. It is gorgeous.
:-)