A couple of weeks ago the weather was unseasonably hot and dry. These are photos from May 27, 2019. Lots of butterflies were visiting the garden then, flitting from one flower to the next (especially popular was Verbena bonariensis—must be quite tasty.) This is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). Females are dimorphic and can be yellow or nearly black. Blue spots along the hindwing indicate this yellow form is female.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
At some point this swallowtail apparently escaped a bad encounter, but managed to get back to lunch.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
At first I thought this next one was a female dark morph of Eastern Tiger Swallowtail—I noticed it nectaring on Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue.’ The coloring didn’t quite seem right though and I finally decided it is a Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus). The spicebush has blue markings, one of which is missing its orange spot.
Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
I followed the same butterfly around the garden. It stopped to enjoy the Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ before moving on to the verbena.
Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
Verbena and penstemon are also popular with bees. Shown here is an Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica) sampling the buffet.
Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica)
Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica)
Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica)
Great photos! You’re clearly more patient than I am when tracking butterflies. I’m amazed the second swallowtail could navigate given the damage to its wing.
Thanks Kris. Yes that poor swallowtail really shows resilience!
Stunning photos of your swallowtails, the wing patterns are so beautiful. That is one lucky butterfly that avoided being someone else’s lunch!
Thanks Pauline, the butterflies add another layer of interest to the garden.
I thought the same as Kris. I have seen many tattered butterflies, but none missing such big and awkward-looking sections.
It is amazing the little guy could keep going, but it flitted all around easily.
Lovely to see the insects enjoying your garden!
I didn’t appreciate when I started the garden how much pleasure the insects would bring.
Lots of beautiful pollinators in your garden, Susie. Our tiger swallowtails have been out for about a week – lovely to see flitting by.
Thanks Eliza.
Nice photos, the butterflies are increasing in my garden.
Wow, these are stunning photos! I’ve only seen one swallowtail so far this year, but quite a few monarchs. They’re all such joyous visitors to the garden!
You have Spicebush Swallowtail – I’m so jealous! I’ve had several Spicebush for years but have never seen the butterfly.