This butterfly was feeding on my neighbor's impatiens. Its forewings were more of a dusky brown than black. I am sorry the pictures are so blurry. I couldn't get any closer.
Which swallowtail is this?
Another view
This message was edited Aug 9, 2005 12:35 AM
and another
It's the pretty one!
It's wings look damaged, but could it be the Spicebush Swallowtail? Check it out here http://www.nenature.com/SpicebushSwallowtail.htm there's lots of pics and links w/ pics to compare to what you saw.
Let us know what you think.
It has some of the characteristics of the pipevine, tiger (female, black form) and spicebush swallowtails but doesn't match any one of them completely as far as I can tell.
This site shows all of them: http://www2.kenyon.edu/Bfec/butterflies/bfknox.htm
Hi, Candy--
Great Kenyon Knox County site! Love the pics.
This site will really help me ID some of the Butterflies I've been trying to ID. I will keep a watch out for your mystery butterfly, too. Maybe you have a 'rare' species and will need to report it to Audobon or the Kenyon site? .... judy
Speak of the devil, Judy. I just Dmailed Chris at Baker's Acres (like one minute ago) to see if/when he is having a fall sale. I mentioned that another DGer from Cincinnati (that would be you LOL) and I were thinking of coming up. I am going to the Seattle area on 8/18 and will be gone for a month so our trip will have to be when I get back. It is too hot to plant anything now anyway. Plus the rain has continued to skip Reynoldsburg so we are really suffering.
I don't know much about butterflies except that they are beautiful. I can identify the common ones like monarchs and yellow tiger swallowtails but that is about the extent of my knowledge. My neighbor called me over to see this one on her impatiens. It was quite large and not the least bit concerned by our presence. I just wish I could have gotten a closer picture.
I found that site by doing a quick Google for Ohio butterflies. It brought up a lot of sites; you may find one for your county too. Have you been able to get pictures of the ones visiting your house? Are you planting specifically to attract butterflies?
Candy
It looks the most like a Spicebush Swallowtail. The male and female are just a touch different in coloration, and this one looks like it's been around for awhile too...that could contribute to the difference too.
Thanks, Melody. Does the spicebush normally have brownish-black forewings instead of black? They definitely had a brown cast to them and that was confusing to me.
That one has blue in the lower portions. Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail?
The spicebush ref I have shows no blue.
This link compares the pipevine, spicebush, black and tiger (black phase) swallowtails from both dorsal and lateral views. They all have blue on the lower portions but the blue on the pipevine looks most like the blue on the one in my pictures. I think.....or maybe it's closer to the spicebush. It is hard to tell since the wings on mine are so chewed up.
http://www2.kenyon.edu/Bfec/butterflies/bstdiff2.htm
Here is a different shot. Even though it is out of focus it gives a better view of the hind wings.
Here is another view of the hind wings from the side. I wish it were more in focus.
I printed out the views on the link I listed and after comparing everything, I think it is a Tiger Swallowtail, black phase......I think. LOL
Thanks for the help.
still a wonderful site for you to have, regardless of who it is. :)
.. a rose by any other name...
Yes, it was. I love butterflies. I still don't understand why I haven't seen a Buckeye after living in Ohio all these years. LOL
hahahaha, aren't you the witty one. :)
NoH2O,
Check out the thread started by Georgiaredclay titled "Butterflies love lantana"
Looks like your butterfly to me!
Thanks, I will.
I don't remember seeing these blackish butterflies around my yard before but this year they are everywhere. At the same time I don't have many Monarchs this year.
I'm voting for the dark form Tiger also. The Pipevine has red/orange underneath, so it's not that. The Spicebush's tails are shorter than this ones.
Looks like my 2 monarchs have already booked. 3 or 4 Swallowtails are still hanging around and now a couple of fritillaries, an Admiral and a Painted Lady showed up.