Biologist John Avise has sent us another batch of butterfly photos. They are below: John’s IDs are indented, and you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them.
Butterflies in North America, Part 7
This week continues my many-part series on butterflies that I’ve photographed in North America. I’m continuing to go down my list of species in alphabetical order by common name. The intent of this series is to introduce (or remind) WEIT readers about the diversity and beauty of this continent’s Lepidopterans.
Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis funeralis):
Gabb’s Checkerspot (Chlosyne gabbii):
Eastern Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes), topwing:
Eastern Giant Swallowtail, underwing:
Golden Hairstreak (Habrodais grunus):
Gray Comma (Polygonia progne), topwing:
Gray Comma, underwing:
Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) male topwing [JAC note: the three hairstreak photos seem to show that a “false head”, complete with antennae, has evolved at the rear end of the wings, surely to attract predators to the “wrong” part of the body. Note how inconspicuous the vulnerable head is!]
Gray Hairstreak, female topwing:
Gray Hairstreak, female underwing:
Great Southern White (Ascia monuste), topwing:
Great Southern White, underwing:
A very nice set! The Giant Swallowtail is especially challenging, since they often keep their wings beating when they settle.
I’m impressed by your showing butterflies in alphabetical order. That alone is quite a feat besides the lovely photos.
The “false head” on the Gray Hairstreak would fool me.
Thanks!
Amazing that you’ve photographed so many species of butterfly—and we’re just getting started!
😁
Love butterflies. 🦋 🦋🦋
Breathtaking! Thankis.
Wonderful as always – thanks. The tiny Hairstreaks with their delicate markings are so charming, and no doubt hard to photograph.