#Swallowtail Butterflies

[indigrassy]

Undercarriage

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

Although it has no true governing power, the Emperor of India butterfly certainly deserves its royal title! More commonly known as the Kaisar-i-Hind in Hindi and Urdu, this species is renowned for its bright green wings. This color comes from microscopic structures called photonic crystals, which scatters light to create a vibrant, iridescent color.

(Image: A male Kaisar-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis) by Cheongweei Gan via iNaturalist)

Want to request some art or uncharismatic facts? Just send me proof of donation of any amount to any of the fundraisers on this list, or a Palestinian organization of your choice!

[antiqueanimals]

British Butterflies and their Transformations. Arranged and illustrated in a series of plates by Henry Noel Humphreys, with characters and descriptions by John Obadiah Westwood. Published in 1841.

Internet Archive

[ljsbugblog]

One of my favourite Australian butterflies! Very common in leafy suburbs and bushland alike.

Orchard Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio aegeus), on Coastal Rosemary (Westringia fruticosa).

[dailylepidopterans]

[photo cred. keithp2012 @ project noah and Stephen Bowden]

todays lepidopteran of the day is the emerald swallowtail (Papilio palinurus)!

this beautiful butterfly, which comes from southeast asia, seems to shift color in the light due to special microstructures in its wings.

[jadeseadragon]

Sharon Harms, Tiger Convergence, watercolor.

[rattyexplores]

Photos from a failed raising

I collected this specimen off our lemon tree. I’m not entirely sure how it died, but it’s possible disease got the better of it.

Photos of the corpse here

This species is often called the Orchard Swallowtail, as they feed on trees in the Citrus genus (lemons, oranges, tangerines, etc.). There’s a few swallowtail butterfly caterpillars that feed on Citrus, but this species is the most common sight for me.

Papilio aegeus

06/07/22

[rachelsrandomsphotos]

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) on a Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

Taken at Turkey Creek Sanctuary in Palm Bay, FL

[whatnext10]

A Colorful Bush and a Beautiful Butterfly Make Spring Wonderful

A Colorful Bush and a Beautiful Butterfly Make Spring Wonderful shows readers a gorgeous zebra swallowtail butterfly as it feeds on a clump of butterfly weed. To the author/artist these species and their colors are a perfect representation of spring.

Spring Complexion I suspect that anyone who loves nature loves springtime. Early spring is a time for renewal and rebirth, while later in the spring the theme seems to be amazing color. Once wildflowers begin to bloom butterflies, colorful moths, and insects start to re-emerge and out come the birds and other wildlife. Add to all of that warming temperature and gentle breezes and all in all, you…

[the-unicorns-of-nienna]

[Image Description: five drawings, each depicting a dragon based on a different species of lepidopteran.

A Rosy Maple Moth dragon floating in the air.

A Luna Moth dragon with wings outspread.

A Madagascan Sunset Moth dragon visiting orange, bell-shaped flowers.

A Swallowtail Butterfly dragon clinging to a red blossom.

A Monarch Butterfly dragon perched on a cluster of purple flowers.

End image description.]

Katy Lipscomb on Instagram

[indigrassy]

Beeutiful butterfly

[antiqueanimals]

Animal Camouflage. Written by John Carthy. Illustrated by Colin Threadgall. 1972.

Internet Archive

[heartnosekid]

the emerald swallowtail (papilio palinurus) | diana_murguta on ig

[herpsandbirds]

Purple-spotted Swallowtail (Graphium weiskei), family Papilionidae, Papua New Guinea

photograph by Gan CW

[chickenmeow]

[rattyexplores]

Decay of a Dead Caterpillar

Not the most pleasant post, but I was curious to see what would become of the body.

Photos of the live specimen here

The caterpillar suffered all the symptoms of disease that I am aware of. Sudden diarrhea, weakness, eventually leading to dropping dead completely. Caterpillars are highly susceptible to disease, so washing your hands thoroughly is important.

The corpse turned completely black, and developed a hole near the rear of the caterpillar. I’m not sure why this hole appeared.

Papilio aegeus

10/07/22 - 15/07/22