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Mating Zebra Swallowtails
(05/04/2008) zebra swallowtails mating
Here is a picture of a pair of zebra swallowtails mating for
your bug love page.
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
Thanks you for sending us a truly lovely image. Our readership does enjoy and benefit from other relevant details, including location.
Sorry, I meant to send that too. They were found in southeast Missouri. Glad you enjoyed them as much as I did.
Were they photographed yesterday? Last year? Five years ago?
They were photographed April 23, 2008.
Arachne Checkerspot
(04/30/2008) I am stumped
I photographed this butterfly in a grass field near the edge
of a lake. I live in Grand Junction Colorado and have seen
many very similar to this one, but i am still unable to identify
it. Can you help?
Luckily, some time back we bought Jeffrey Glassberg's
book Butterflies Through Binoculars the West, and we were
able to identify this lovely Arachne Checkerspot, Poladryas
arachne. It is found in mountain meadows and arid grasslands
and is most often spotted in the morning. There are two broods
through most of the range, the epicenter being where Nevada,
Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado come together. Adults fly
from late April to June, with a second brood flying in September.
We are thrilled to add this new species to our archives, and
thought fondly of Patrick while doing the posting.
Carolina Satyr
(04/29/2008) Carolina Satyr
Mr. Bugman,
Just wanted to reiterate how much I enjoy visiting your web
site and reading the comments by those who send in nice
photos of butterflies they have taken. It's such a nice
relaxing way to spend a little leisure time. Taking
my camera along and looking for butterflies while
I walk or ride my bike, is a fun way to enjoy the moment.
I have seen this little "Carolina Satyr" many times
but have not been able to keep up with it as it flutters low
to the ground and just keeps moving. It doesn't seem
to stop anywhere long enough for me to take it's picture.
But, today was a different story. After spotting it
flying, I followed it until it stopped in a sunny grassy spot
along the path. It seemed not to care as I moved slowly
closer to get a picture. I managed to get several good
pictures as it profiled itself on a leafy plant perpendicular
to the sunlight. It wasn't there long before what looked
like a "Fiery Skipper", darted at it and it flew
away. I didn't see a picture of a "Carolina
Satyr" posted on your web site and thought some
might enjoy seeing a picture of it. It was photographed
on 4/29/08 here in Charlotte, NC on one of the city's Greenway
trails. I am hoping that many more people will send
in butterfly photos and comments so that more pages can be
added to your Butterfly section. I love going there
to look. Thanks,
Patrick Crone
Hi Patrick,
Thanks for sending your kind letter and your photo of a Carolina
Satyr, Hermeuptychia sosybius. Readers who want to know more
about this woodland and grassy meadow species can search BugGuide.
Eastern
Tailed Blue
(04/29/2008) Eastern Tailed Blue
Hey Bugman,
Wanted to say again how much I enjoy your web site.
I just love looking at other people's photos; especially of
butterflies. I managed to see and photograph one of
these little tiny butterflies today. I believe it is
an "Eastern Tailed Blue." I know that others
have photographed this butterfly and the blue is more brilliant
at times on the male than this picture. I wonder if
it is the sunlight that tends to wash the color out?
I would have liked to photograph this one on an overcast day
or in filtered sunlight. I believe the blue
color would be more brilliant. It it is still a
very pretty butterfly. I believe someone from Ontario,
Canada sent one in and you have it posted. This one
was taken on 4/29/08 here in Charlotte, NC. Just thought you
might like to see another one. Thanks,
Patrick Crone
Hi again Patrick,
You are doing a pretty good job of adding to our butterfly
archive with your Eastern Tailed Blue, Cupido comyntas. The
angle of the light is probably the most critical factor in
the blueness of the wings. BugGuide
notes that "Unlike most butterflies, this species has thrived
where its habitat has been encroached upon by human activities.
It is common along freshly mowed roadsides, flying to puddles.
Many adults lose their tails. "
Common Checkered Skipper
(04/28/2008) Common Checkered Skipper
Bugman,
I photographed this "Common Checkered Skipper"
on 4/10/08 here in Charlotte, NC. Sometimes it's hard
to catch this little butterfly with its wings in the 'up'
position. I managed to get a picture of it. I
tried many times last fall but without much success.
Patrick Crone
Hi Patrick,
Thanks for the great contribution of the Common Checkered
Skipper, Pyrgus communis. Curious readers can get more information
on BugGuide.
Spring White and Mating Western Whites
(04/28/2008) Spring White/ Western Whites
Hi Lisa Anne and Daniel,
it seems to be a good Spring for whites in central WY. Saw
this Spring White (no pun intended) and pair of Western Whites
today. Peace,
Dwaine
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Mating
Western Whites |
Hi again Dwaine,
Thanks for continuing to add to our butterfly archive with
the Spring White, Pontia sisymbrii, and mating Western White,
Pontia occidentalis, images. Jeffrey Glassberg indicates in
his book Butterflies Through Binoculars The West that the
Spring White rarely stays still for long, which makes your
photograph especially noteworthy.
Morpho from Brazil
(04/25/2008) Morpho butterfly
Hello,
I took this picture in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil,
close to Belo Horizonte. I think that this is of the
Morpho genus, as it was quite similar to Morpho menelaus;
however, the forewing seems to have only one eyespot as opposed
to all of the photos I have seen on where the menelaus have
more. Any thoughts? Thanks,
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
We are not sure what species your Morpho Butterfly is, but
perhaps one of our readers can assist in the identification.
Pipevine Swallowtails Mating
(04/25/2008) either Pipevine or Spicebush Swallowtails mating.
Hey bugman,
I took this picture earlier today in the Great Smoky Mountains
National park of two Swallowtails mating that i thought turned
out pretty good. they were right in the middle of the road
(well, almost more of a driveway). i thought that was a weird
place for them to mate. well hopefully this will be of use
to your bug love page.
anyway hope you enjoy it.
Michael Davis
Hi Michael,
These are mating Pipevine Swallowtails, and your photo is
wonderful
Large
Marble Update
(04/26/2008) Dorsal view, Large Marble
Hi again Bugman.
I do have a dorsal view of a Large Marble taken further south.
Sorry, I didn't think to include it.
D--
Large Marble
(04/24/2008) Large Marble
Hi Lisa Anne and Daniel.
I was surprised to find this Large Marble near Casper, WY
so early. Hope it will be OK as we are expecting 3"-10"
of snow tonight. Peace, Love and Jerry Garcia,
Dwaine
Hi Dwaine,
Thanks for your lovely photo of a Large Marble, or Creamy
Marblewing, Euchloe ausonides. We rotated the image so as
to post it larger. We believe it will find some shelter from
this spring snow as the species also survives in Alaska. We
located an Alaskan
Website with a nice image of the open wings of a Large
Marble.
Comma,
but which one?
(04/09/2008) 'Green Comma" butterfly
Hey Bugman!
I took my camera and rode my bike on a trail here in
Charlotte, NC. on April 9, 2008. I was specifically
looking for butterflies. I happened to spot this one
sunning itself. It's not a perfect specimen. When
I got home and looked it up in "Field Guide to Butterflies
of North America" by Kaufman. The closest I could come
to identifying it was a "Green Comma." I couldn't
get a profile picture of it. I looked at the geographical
location as shown in this book and it doesn't really show
it flying this far south. Is this rare to find this
one in North Carolina? Anxiously awaiting your reply,
Patrick Crone
Hi Patrick,
We are afraid we may not be much help. We agree this is one
of the Comma Butterfies in the genus Polygonia, but we are
not sure which one. Have you eliminated the possibility of
it being an Eastern Comma, Polygonia comma? there is an image
posted to BugGuide
with a similar spot pattern. The much rarer Green Comma, Polygonia
faunus, has been reported as far south as Georgia according
to the Butterflies
and Moths of North America website, so you are in the
range. We don't feel qualified to give an exact species identification
on your specimen.
Thanks for your quick reply. After looking more closely at
the winter form of the "Eastern Comma", I believe that is
what it is instead of a "Green Comma." It would have been
nice if I could have gotten a profile picture of it. I tried
to look on your web site yesterday and there were no pictures
available. I will try again later.
Patrick Crone
Roosting
Zebra Longwings and probably Mating Anticipation
(04/09/2008) What are these zebra butterflies doing?
Hi,
These zebra butterflies have been here all day, I thought
they were just mating. But then my son looked closer
and saw there is a pupa in the middle of the group of butterflies.
I took some photos, to see the pupa, I had to shoot into the
sun. I am guessing they may be shading the pupa or its
just a coincidence. I will check tomorrow morning and
see what is going on. A few weeks ago I saw a zebra butterfly
that had just metamorphosed into an adult and another butterfly
was already trying to mate with her, she had not even dried
out yet. So I am wondering if these are all males waiting
for a female to mature. Attached also is a group of butterflies
ready for bed, they sleep all together under the cedar tree
and another group sleep under a palm. I have counted
over 80 butterflies in the two groups. I believe the
reason there are so many is because we have a lot of wild
passionflower vine this year. Best Wishes,
Lori McNamara
 
Hi Lori,
The first thought that went to our mind when we saw this incredible
aggregation of Zebra Longwings, Heliconius charithonia, was
similar to your thought of males eager to mate with a soon
to hatch female. Research on BugGuide indicates a different
scenario. According to BugGuide,
the Zebra Longwing: "is very gregarious as an adult, roosting
in the exact same location for weeks or even months. They
have great preference for roosting on dead of leafless branches.
"
Hi, No they are not roosting in the first two photos, zeb1
and 2. The third photo is where they are roosting. They
have roosted for years not months in those locations. They
roost at night. There are no pupas where they roost. Also
they roost with their wings shut. Some of the butterflies
around the pupa had their wings open, it is in the daytime.
Attached are two more photos taken this morning. The butterflies
are all flying about, except for this one clinging to the
un-metamorphosed pupa. There were more but I disturbed them
when I was taking photos. They are in a very overgrown area
with lots of vines. Best Wishes,
Lori McNamara
Hi again Lori,
We were unaware of the roosting aggregations of Zebra Longwings
before researching your query. Now we realize that you submitted
images of the roosting as well as the mysterious interest
they have in the chrysalis. We would put money on the awaiting
to mate scenario. We would discount the shading the chrysalis
from the sun scenario as being a bit too altruistic for a
butterfly. Thanks for the great images.
Compton Tortoiseshell
(04/09/2008) Hello Mr. Bugman,
I hope you can help me with identifying the attached moth
or butterfly. Location near Hamilton, Ontario, April
8th, still some snow in drifted areas, high daytime temperatures
mid 50's. Thank you for your time.
Ron
Hi Ron,
Like its relative the Mourning Cloak, the Compton Tortoiseshell,
Nymphalis vau-album, overwinters as an adult and flies with
the first sunny warm days of spring, even if there is still
snow on the ground. Theses butterflies are not typical nectar
feeders, and they will take nourishment from sap that is running
from tree wounds in the spring. The common name comes from
Compton County Quebec.
Dull Firetip Skipper
(03/30/2008) Dull Firetip Skipper and website suggestion
Hi. THANKS for your great site. It is my favorite website
on the internet. I have a photo of Dull Firetip Skipper
(Pyrrhopyge araxes) that I think you might like. It was photographed
at Harshaw Creek, AZ. I believe that this is a new species
to your site. I also have a suggestion. I think that
a page devoted to Black Witches on your site would be good. Thanks.
Noah
Hi Noah,
We really appreciate your kind letter and the photo of the
Dull Firetip Skipper, which we are guessing was photographed
in 2005 based on the file name. Often when we get website
suggestions, we cringe because people are trying to suggest
things that are incredibly labor intense. Your suggestion
of a Black Witch page is easily manageable. We will need to
find old entries from the archives, but amusingly, a new letter
with photos just arrived.
Red Admiral
(03/29/2008) Red Admirals, Bay Shore, NY
I know you prefer current photos (as they are found) but it's
still too cold here in NY for most of the insects to come
out. I am waiting eagerly for them to show up!
Here are a couple of Red Admiral photos from last summer(2007)
when they came to feed and hang out on our shrubs around the
house. If you can use them, please do. Otherwise,
enjoy the photos.
Tamar
 
Hi Tamar,
Though it is too cold in New York for Red Admirals right now,
they are flying in our own Mt Washington, Los Angeles garden.
Readers in warmer climates might benefit from your images.
The open winged photo demonstrates the typical sunning posture
of this frisky species.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
(03/27/2008) Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Hello Mr. Bugman.
Just going through my portfolio of butterfly pictures and
thought this was a pretty good profile picture of an Eastern
Tiger Swallowtail. Didn't know if this would make the
grade for displaying on you web site. If you think your
viewers might enjoy this beauty then feel free to use it.
You probably get hundreds of this very common butterfly. Saw
my first butterfly here in Charlotte, NC on March 23.
It was in my yard and I startled it when I walked by and watched
it fly away but could not tell what kind it was. I am anxious
to start photographing some of these early flyers. Loyal observer
of your web site,
Patrick Crone
Hi Patrick,
It is nice to find out about loyal observers to the site.
Often when people go through their archives, they send photos
that were taken years before and in different seasons. We
like posting images that people are likely to encounter when
the image is posted. The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail should
be making appearances in the southernmost reaches of its range
right now. Our own Western Tiger Swallowtails have been soaring
in our own Mt Washington, Los Angeles garden. We have seen
at least three individuals as well as numerour Anise Swallowtails.
Our other swallowtail visitor, the Giant Swallowtail, has
recently expanded its range to our vicinity, but it appears
in the warmer months. We watched two Red Admirals frolicking
about yesterday in the late afternoon sun. We haven't seen
any Mourning Cloaks this year, which is unusual. Thanks for
your contribution.
Unknown
Mexican Brushfooted Butterfly is Banded Banner or closely
related species
(03/26/2008) butterfly
Hello, Bugman!
We took these pictures last summer at a resort in Mexico along
the Riviera Maya. I have been unable to identify this
butterfly. As you can see, part of his wing is missing.
Please tell me!
Denise L. Burket
 
Hi Denise,
We have spent far too much time trying to identify your butterfly,
with no success. We visited many comprehensive sites, but
remain luckless. The best we can do is to say it is a Brushfooted
Butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Providing both an open
winged and closed winged view seemed like a surefire tact
for identification success. Perhaps one of our readers with
some spare time and continue the search and provide an answer.
Update: Readers Find Answer...
(03/28/2008) Daniel - Unknown Mexican Brushfooted Butterfly
Hi Daniel:
Re: Unknown Mexican Brushfooted Butterfly (03/26/2008) I believe
this is a red-ring in the Genus Pyrrhogyra. There are a few
to choose from but I think I would go with the White-edged
Red-ring (P. otolais); aka Otolais Red-ring and Double-banded
Banner. There are a few good photos on the web, but you could
try this one: http://www.mariposasmexicanas.com/pyrrhogyra_o_otolais.htm
Regards
Karl
Unknown Mexican Brushfooted Butterfly I.D.
Hello Daniel and Lisa,
Exhaustive web searching has led me to the genus Pyrrhogyra
for this butterfly. The pics I've seen are all quite similar,
so I won't hazard a guess as to which species. The photos
have been from Mexico and Central America. Keep up the great
work! Bugophile-ly yours
Bev Donnelly
... and finally, from the Querant herself:
I think I found my butterfly! Look at all these pictures!
http://www.mariposasmexicanas.com/pyrrhogyra_neaerea_hypsenor.htm
Gemmed Satyr
(03/19/2008) Gemmed Satyr
Bugman,
I was able to ID my attached Gemmed Satyr butterfly from my
books. However, searching the site, I noticed you do
not have any. I generally see Carolina Satyrs here,
in Mobile, Alabama, but this was my first Gemmed Satyr.
Robert Zimlich
Hi Robert,
Thanks so much for sending us your Gemmed
Satyr, Cyllopsis gemma, photo. We always love getting
new species for our site.
Eight
Spotted Forrester and Red Spotted Purple
(03/17/2008) Eight Spotted Forrester Photos
Greetings!
I found this moth flying in our home in northwest Florida
and waited for it to land on a surface I could photograph
-- two days later, it finally did! I couldn't ID it with
our reference materials, so I searched the 'net and found
your website...very cool! Since you indicate that there
are few photos of these beauties, you are welcome to
post them--but please do not remove the photo credit ( ©
Lynne Shelfer) . Besides finding a useful resource, I was
excited to learn that Lisa Anne and Daniel are from my home
in SoCal (relocated about 10 years ago but return frequently).
I have family, friends and former colleagues who are alumni
from Art Center, LACC and SC.
Cheers,
L. Shelfer
P.S. I also included photos of a butterfly which I can't ID.
From a pix on your site, it resembles the Red Spotted
Purple. Please confirm or correct. Thanks!
 
Hi Lynne,
You are correct on both of your identifications. Coincidentally,
a day after your letter, we received another image of an Eight
Spotted Forrester, but we have been so busy with work this
week, we are a bit behind in both posting and answering letters.
Your Red Spotted Purple photos are quite spectacular. We had
a bit of a problem removing all of your images from the word
document where you included the copyright information, so
we had to go to the image file you enclosed. We do reduce
the size of all images on our site to 72 dpi so if someone
"steals" an image, it will not be of a very high quality.
Since we post images with letters, and your name is in print,
anyone who sees the image will know that you are the author.
Sachem
Skipper
(03/16/2008) Sachem Skipper Butterfly
I love your website! Thank you for your response a couple
years ago about a trapdoor spider that I found here on Long
Island, NY. Now I have a couple of skipper photos I
took last summer in my mother-in-law's garden. I was
able to identify it through www.butterfliesandmoths.org
. I'm actually thinking of signing up to help out with
them. It looks pretty neat. So here are a couple pics
of a Sachem Skipper Butterfly! I am inspired to start taking
more bug pictures now.
Tamar
I don't remember if I included where the skipper photos I
sent were found. Soooo... The skipper was photographed in
Central Islip, NY (Long Island).
Tamar
 
Hi Tamar,
We cannot confirm nor deny that this is a Sachem Skipper,
Atalopedes
campestris, as we find the taxonomy of the Skippers positively
mind boggling.
Common
Eggfly Butterfly from Australia
(03/15/2008) Something for your database - Hypolimnas bolina
nerina
Hi guys,
Got this photo today of a female Common Eggfly Butterfly,
Hypolimnas bolina nerina, family Nymphalidae. The males are
common and numerous but this is the first female I've had
the chance to photograph. Taken 15th March 2008, Gold Coast.
Queensland. regards,
Trevor Jinks
Australia
Hi Trevor,
We always enjoy the photos you send. We are happy to get your
photo of a Common
Eggfly Butterfly.
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