My resident bug guy rescued a disabled butterfly stuck in a parking lot; carrying it by its wing and safely laying it in a less-traveled grassy area. When we returned later, the butterfly was gone! Our optimistic sides believe its condition improved allowing it to fly on to greener pastures.
Any butterfly experts? We thought it resembled a monarch and a tiger swallowtail, but wasn’t quite either of them. If you know, do share!
It looks like you have a male Pterourus glaucus; aka male tiger swallowtail. 🙂 http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/eastern_tiger_swallowtail.htm
Now you will always be able to tell the males and females apart!
Our guys have been catching a ton of butterflies this year. It seems to them that there are more than usual and I think it may be all the zinnias we planted in the garden this year.
thank you, christy! i can’t wait to show the boys tomorrow 🙂 & you know what? we’ve had lots of butterflies around our yard this year too. i’m thinking it’s due to the wildflowers we planted this year. it’s fun 🙂
My favorite butterfly classification guide is Kaufman Field Guide to Butterflies of North America. It is so easy to use and identify butterflies with this guide! 🙂 {and, yes, it’s a male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail!}
Oo, great recommendation! Thanks, Brandy! We don’t have a field guide for butterflies yet. Our natural history book only had the female (I know now). 🙂 Thanks!
Simply gorgeous! Thankful for boys who can be rough and ready but know when to be gentle if needed. I have two of those myself. ;o)
Beautiful insight! I agree, Magistra Mommy!