This is the first time I've seen this type around here (or it could be the first time I've noticed)
Thanks
dawn
whatsit?
Painted Lady I think
This is an American Lady. I'm always confusing myself with the American Lady and Painted Lady. I was lucky enough to find numerous American Lady caterpillars in cudweed earlier this year and raised them...so was able to get some photographs when I released them :o)
As for the American Lady...a quick way to tell them apart if you barely get a glimpse of one is to look for a white dot on the orange spot if viewing the topside. Also identifiable by the two large eyes spots if viewing the underside of the hindwings. Topside of the hindwings will show a row of smaller spots along the back margin.
These are truly gorgeous colorful butterflies. Always a welcome addition to any yard :o)
~ Cat
This message was edited Jul 11, 2007 12:04 AM
The underside also shows a lovely salmon coloring (whereas the topside is orange) - and you can still see that distinctive white spot. Remember to look for the two large hindwing eyespots if it is perched with closed wings.
...and I just love that salmon color!!!
~ Cat
Thanks Texas! I noticed the salmon color too when I was chasing it around the BF bush. It really is a pretty BF. DG has made me more aware of nature than I have ever been in my life.
How do you tell the difference between a BF and moth? Sometimes what I think is a moth turns out to be a BF.
Dawn
Wow, it's lovely. Great shots both of you!
Oh my...there are so many differences. I think it was Becky who posted a link about telling them apart.
Guess the first clue is that butterflies fly during the day and moths fly during the evening...except for some species like the hummingbird moth :o)
Butterflies have thin clubbed antenna and moths have furry or feathery thick ones.
Butterflies appear to have bodies that are svelt whereas moths tend to look bulky and furry.
Butterflies perch with their wings vertically folded over their back and moths usually keep their wings flat.
Of course, there is always the exception....some butterflies have furry antennae and thick bodies :o)
Some moths like the sunset moths look just like butterflies from the swallowtail family and are brilliantly colored.
Over time and experience it will come to you :o)
~ Cat
I got this photo at Phipp's Conservatory in Pittsburgh last weekend... I have no idea what the upper surface of the wings looked like, as the butterfly absolutely didn't move or open its wings (I kept checking), but I loved the pale green coloring. Is this some variety of Painted Lady?
BTW, this was in a closed portion of the conservatory, so while I *think* they were concentrating on indigenous butterflies, I can't promise that this is one that's native to PA.
Wow, that is gorgeous! Is it me or does he/she have a short body?
I think s/he was curving his/her abdomen up a bit, but yes, the wings did seem a bit outsized for the body.
A lovely malachite :o) We get those in south Texas and so does south Florida.
The topside is awesome...just think of chocolate key lime pie :o)
~ Cat
http://davesgarden.com/forums/p.php?pid=3688328
Thanks for the ID, Cat! I knew I'd seen a photo like that on this forum, so I figured somebody would know exactly what it was. :-) Wow, what a looker... wish s/he had spread those wings for me!
WOW TexasPP, that doesn't even look real! I have NEVER seen anything like that.
d
Gorgeous... My Gulf F. cats are eating on my passiflora vine. They are late this year probably due to our long drought.
Elaine
Thank the Lord we got some rain tonight! We needed it so bad. Could use more, but I'll take what I can get at this point. Our well is sputtering!
Amen,, we got rain today too..
Elaine