Skip to content

Category Archives: Butterflies and Skippers   rss

Forest Giant Owl Butterfly

South American Moth
Location: Ecuador (rain forest)
December 13, 2010 11:40 pm
I took this photo in an Ecuadorian rain forest about 15 years ago. It was taken in a butterfly house where the locals were breeding and selling them (so I am not sure if it is even native to South America).
I would truly love to know what it is?
Many thanks!
Signature: Susan Kronick (Toronto, Ontario)

owl butterfly susan 300x226 Forest Giant Owl Butterfly

Forest Giant Owl Butterfly

Dear Susan,
This is a butterfly, not a moth.  It is an Owl Butterfly in the genus Caligo, a group of South and Central American butterflies that have an excellent method of protective mimicry.  The undersides of the wings look nothing like the upper sides of the wings that you have photographed.  The reverse sides of the wings are brown with markings that somewhat resemble feathers, and there is a large prominent black spot with a bright yellow ring around it on each lower wing.  These spots look like eyes.  When the butterfly is threatened, it assumes an upside down pose displaying the eyespots.  This startles the predator into thinking that what might have been a tasty insect morsel is actually a large predatory owl and that the former predator might become prey.  We wish you also had a photo of the undersides of the wings to illustrate this.  A web search of images of Caligo butterfly will show you many examples.  We believe your specimen might be Caligo eurilochus based on a photo we found online.  The Neotropical Butterflies website gives it the common name Forest Giant Owl and indicates it may be the subspecies Caligo eurilochus mattogrossensis, thought the Neotropical Butterflies website also has a subspecies Caligo eurilochus livius.  The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums website states:  “Adults are crepuscular and often sip on fermented fruits on the ground. Caterpillars feed on leaves of bananas and heliconias and can cause damage in banana plantations. They are nocturnal and rest at the midrib of the leaves during day, sometimes in groups. The older and brown caterpillars rest on the stem where they are difficult to detect.”

Hi Daniel,
A butterfly!  Imagine that. All these years I thought it was moth because it was resting with its wings flat.
But what a very interesting butterfly. I appreciate all the information and links.
I will check my photos from the trip to see if I did happen to get a shot of its underside.
Thank you so much. You made my day!

Posted 14 December 2010 § Brush Footed Butterflies ‡ Comments (0) °
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Black Jezabel (newly emerged from chrysalis) from Australia

Black Jezebel Butterfly
Location: South Coast, NSW , Australia
December 4, 2010 10:01 pm
Heres some pics of the Black Jezebel Butterfly after it has emerged still drying it`s wings, it ”hatched” while i was asleep so i missed taking a photo of it emerging like i wanted to anyways i hope you enjoy these pictures.
Signature: Wade

black jezabel australia wade 300x206 Black Jezabel (newly emerged from chrysalis) from Australia

Black Jezebel

Wow Wade,
What a gorgeous the color palate on your photograph.  The colors of this photograph are pure saturated secondary colors that demonstrate a fundamental rule of color theory with regards to the primary RED. Photographically, equal parts of magenta and yellow equal red. Are those blossoms Buddlea, a plant often called a Butterfly Bush.  A butterfly is most perfect before it takes flight and your Black Jezabel is flawless.  We wonder if this is a male or female and we are amused that the male is still called Jezabel.
We are confused regarding the proper spelling of Jezabel/Jezebel as we have seen it both ways.  There was but one photo attached.

Posted 04 December 2010 § Whites and Sulfurs ‡ Comments (2) ° Tagged:

Mating Common Birdwings and Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing from Singapore

Butterflies
Location: Singapore
December 4, 2010 8:18 am
I shot these at the Butterfly Conservatory in Singapore a couple of years ago. They are really stunning but I don’t know the species.
Can You ID them?
Thanks.
Signature: Tom Whitney

mating common birdwings singapore tom 300x277 Mating Common Birdwings and Queen Alexandras Birdwing from Singapore

Mating Common Birdwings

Hi Tom,
Your mating butterflies are Common Birdwings, Troides helena, which we identified on the Arkive Images of Life on Earth website where it is stated:  “The common birdwing is amongst the largest and most beautiful butterflies in Asia (3) (4). The dramatic contrast of golden yellow hind-wings and glossy black forewings gives this species a striking appearance (3), and serves as a protection mechanism by warning potential predators that it is distasteful (2). The upper surface of the golden hind-wings features black boarders and veins, with females additionally possessing a row of large, triangular black spots (4). A prominent pink saddle distinguishes the caterpillar of this species, and the pupa has a leafy appearance that helps to camouflage it from predators.“  The Common Birdwing was the Butterfly of the Month in January 2010 on the Butterfies of Singapore website.  Your other butterfly is also a Birdwing, and it really resembles a male Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing, Ornithoptera alexandrae, which is found in New Guinea.  The Butterfly Facts website has a photograph that looks very similar to your image, and you have to scroll down the page to find it.  Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is thought to be the largest butterfly in the world, thought he females are larger than the males, and the Butterfly Corner website indicates that it is found in Singapore.

birdwing singapore tom 268x300 Mating Common Birdwings and Queen Alexandras Birdwing from Singapore

Male Queen Alexandra's Birdwing

11

Posted 04 December 2010 § swallowtails ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Cabbage White

I need an ID on this butterfly/moth
Location: Springfield, Mo., USA
December 2, 2010 10:12 am
I need some help identifying this butterfly on my chives.
Signature: Tom Redican

cabbage white tom 300x226 Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Hi Tom,
The Cabbage White butterfly was accidentally introduced from Europe around 1860, and it is now established across the continent.  The Cabbage White is an important pest of cultivated plants in the cabbage family and the caterpillars eat holes in the leaves.  You can read about the Cabbage White on BugGuide.

cabbage white tom 2 300x206 Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Posted 03 December 2010 § Whites and Sulfurs ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

this is the second part of the life cycle.
November 21, 2010
Location:  dirt road 4 miles north of nederland colorado in western boulder county.
the next stage the caterpillars turn brown.

2 tailed swallowtail prechrysalis venice 208x300 Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

Two Tailed Swallowtail changes color

they stop eating and hang on a leaf and turn brown. the first picture in this group is of a caterpillar in the process of turning brown. it takes about 8 hours for them to complete this. then they begin their walk about. they walk and walk around looking for a place to pupate.

2 tailed swallowtails 5th instar brown venice 300x193 Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

Two Tailed Swallowtails: Fifth Instar Green and Brown

the 2nd picture is of one of the brown ones on his walk about passing his still green sibling.  they are 2 inches long now. the first one turned brown on sept 22, 2009.

2 tailed swallowtail prechrysalis 2 venice 300x250 Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

Two Tailed Swallowtail: Pre-Chrysalis

when he finds his place on a twig (3rd photo) he will glue his bottom to the twig and then spin a silk thread to hold his top half to the twig. as you can see he is holding on with his pro legs as well. he becomes very still and hangs there for about two days.

2 tailed swallowtail prechrysalis 3 venice 300x232 Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

Two Tailed Swallowtail: Pre-Chrysalis

the 4th picture shows that he has let go of the twig with his pro legs.

2 tailed swallowtail chrysalis venice 300x276 Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

Two Tailed Swallowtail Chrysalis

and in the 5th photo he has shed his skin for the last time and is now a chrysalis. i only got to see one of them actually  shedding his skin at this stage and i didn’t get a picture. i was surprised at how quickly they come out of that skin and still have the thread attached and the bottom glued.  the first one pupated on sept 24,2009. i kept them all winter in a cold room and spritzed them weekly to keep them moist.  and it wasn’t till the third week of july 2010 when the first one hatched. by then i was keeping them outside in shade, but warm. i still spritzed them to keep them moist.

2 tailed swallowtail emerges venice 300x226 Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

Two Tailed Swallowtail emerges from Chrysalis

the 6th photo is a male two tail just recently hatched. he is still letting his wings harden. it takes a few hours before they are ready to fly. he started to flap around the aquarium and i knew he was ready. this one hatched on july 24th,2010.
the last photo shows him released. he flew into a pine tree and stayed there for a little while. i was elated with each release. all five of the eggs hatched and grew and became chrysalids and were released in the same area i found the eggs. there were two females and three males. the last one hatched on aug. 7th 2010. nearly a year from the date the eggs were laid.  what a magical experience for me.
hope this can be of some use to anyone wanting to raise two tailed swallowtails.
thanks,
venice kelly
nov.21, 2010

2 tailed swallowtail released venice 300x232 Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

Two Tailed Swallowtail

Hi again Venice,
We are in awe of your marvelous documentation of the life cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail.  Thanks so much for providing this information for our viewership.  Dear Readers, be sure to read Part 1 of this metamorphosis if you missed it.  Again, we want to add that caterpillars undergo five instars, and we suspect you missed a molt somewhere between four and five, and since your email indicates you never witnessed the molting process until the chrysalis stage, that would indicate the error in your count.  Please do not take this as a criticism as we are in awe of your dedication and the wealth of information you have provided.

thanks daniel for letting me know that when they turn brown it is the 5th instar. i was unclear about the terminology for this.
thanks for all of your knowledge. and i am very happy it didn’t take you 2 hours to post.
venice

8

Posted 21 November 2010 § swallowtail caterpillars § swallowtails ‡ Comments (1) °

Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

complete life cycle of two tailed swallowtail
November 21, 2010
Location:  dirt road 4 miles north of nederland colorado in western boulder county
hi daniel,
here are the photo’s i was telling you about of the complete life cycle of two tailed swallowtails. i have to send them in two emails as i am not able to send all 14 photo’s in one email.
the first seven photo’s begin with a picture of the female two tail laying her eggs on a choke cherry bush.

2 tailed swallowtail lays eggs venice 300x211 Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

Two Tailed Swallowtail Lays Eggs

it was aug. 9, 2009. we were on a dirt road 4 miles north of nederland colorado in western boulder county. i had never seen a two tail at this elevation (about 8,500 feet). i found 5 eggs and brought them home to raise. i had never raised butterflies before so the whole process was new to me. and i quickly found out that two tails have a very long process to complete their life cycle.

2 tailed swallowtail hatches venice 300x228 Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

Two Tailed Swallowtail egg shell and hatchling First Instar

the 2nd photo is of a hatchling. it is greatly enlarged. the eggs are the size of a pin head and the caterpillar (larvae)is the size of a comma. this is the first instar. the date of the first hatchling was aug. 21st.

2 tailed swallowtail 2nd instar venice 300x255 Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

Two Tailed Swallowtail Caterpillar: Second Instar

seven days later (3rd photo) one molted to the 2nd instar.  now they look like bird poop as a protective measure. they didn’t all molt on the same day.

2 tailed swallowtail 3rd instar venice 300x225 Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

Two Tailed Swallowtail Caterpillar: Third Instar

two weeks after that they molted to the 3rd instar  (4th photo). they still look similar but are getting bigger all the time and eating more.

2 tailed swallowtail 4th instar venice 300x204 Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

Two Tailed Swallowtail Caterpillar: Fourth Instar

about a week later (5th photo)they started molting again and the photo shows one crawling away from his skin. this is the 4th instar and he looks like green velvet. there are several stages to the 4th instar.

2 tailed swallowtail 4th instar 2 venice 300x240 Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

Two Tailed Swallowtail: Fourth Instar

the first is the green velvet look then they become brighter green and the white bird shaped marking on their backs still shows (6th photo) and then the white marking disappears (7th photo). they are getting bigger and bigger and eating LOTS!
i will continue this in the 2nd email  with the remaining photo’s.  thanks, venice

2 tailed swallowtail 5th instar venice 300x179 Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

Two Tailed Swallowtail: Final Instar we believe

Dear Venice,
Thanks so much for sending this awesome documentation.  We don’t mean to disagree with you, but caterpillars have five instars.  We believe the final image in the first half of this series is actually the final or Fifth Instar.  When the caterpillar is getting ready to form a chrysalis, it often changes colors, which is where the second half of your series picks up.  Dear Readers, Don’t forget to read Part 2 of the Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail.

4

Posted 21 November 2010 § Eggs § swallowtail caterpillars § swallowtails ‡ Comments (1) °

Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillaries
Location: Florida
November 16, 2010 7:59 pm
I was looking at your website to identify these butterfly pics that I took (I have many pics) and they look like a Gulf Fritillary. Where do these commonly live? I saw some of your other pics were in California. Thank you for having a wonderful website.
Signature: Val

gulf fritillary val 300x215 Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillary

Hi Val,
Your identification of the Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae, is correct and we are glad you were able to self identify it using our extensive archives.  Gulf Fritillaries may be found coast to coast in the southern portions of North America, but we are surprised to see that BugGuide indicates a sighting in Ohio.  The caterpillars of Gulf Fritillaries feed upon the leaves of the passionflower vine.  Your backlit photo with the dark background is lovely.

gulf fritillary val 2 300x224 Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillary

Posted 17 November 2010 § Brush Footed Butterflies ‡ Comments (0) °

Painted Lady

Late Season Painted Lady
Location: Ancaster
November 16, 2010 10:55 am
In search of sun on my face, a chat with my best friend and some caffeine, serendipity, as if it were a driving force, had me sitting on my front step, enjoying bright sun, good company and a mug of coffee when I spotted this butterfly out of the corner of my eye.
All the flowering plants in my garden are done, wilted or brown now except for this particular Chrysanthemum that I took from my Mum’s garden years ago. The ’mum often doesn’t start to show colour until after the first frost but with the long growing season this year it coloured a little earlier and is now in full splendid bloom and will likely wilt of natural causes rather than being offed by a killing frost. It’s a bright spot in my front yard as the trees are all bare and all other flowers are gone. It’s one of my favourite plants in my garden and has a lovely sweet Chrysanthemum scent that I wish I could share with you.
The Painted Lady was drinking in a leisurely fashion and didn’t seem to mind my presence and I got some very close up shots of her eyes and proboscis as she drank.
These photos were taken Nov 8th. and I thought I would share this lovely splash of colour and beauty, likely the last we’ll get in this area. It’s amazing to think of all the little moments and events that had to occur in precisely the right way to bring myself, the flower and the butterfly all together to get these images. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Signature: Cheryl-Anne

painted lady canada cherylanne 300x190 Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Hi Cheryl-Anne,
We are very happy to post your photos of a Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui, and your wonderful letter is a treat.

painted lady canada cherylanne 2 300x259 Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Posted 16 November 2010 § Brush Footed Butterflies ‡ Comments (0) °

Page 13 of 75« First...1112131415...203040...Last »