The Butter "Fly" That Couldn't
Apr 25, 2019 19:54:19 #
This pretty little critter was trying (haltingly) to make it across my driveway while being chased by an old man with only an iPhone and shaky hands. I wish I'd had my Nikon at the moment but I'll take the shot I got, busy though it be. Don't know what her problem might have been but she disappeared before I could retrieve my big-boy camera. Anyone know what kind of butterfly she/he/it is?
Apr 25, 2019 20:05:46 #
Apr 25, 2019 20:06:20 #
Apr 25, 2019 20:14:21 #
Apr 25, 2019 20:30:29 #
It is a swallowtail, however the wings look strange. There is too much of a space between the back and front wings. May have been injured.
Apr 25, 2019 21:44:07 #
Eastern tiger swallowtail.
That is the result of a bird strike - notice the beak shaped gap in the wings - and the bird must have gotten the wings when they were together rather than spread since there is symmetrical damage to both wings.
Mike
That is the result of a bird strike - notice the beak shaped gap in the wings - and the bird must have gotten the wings when they were together rather than spread since there is symmetrical damage to both wings.
Mike
Apr 26, 2019 03:50:35 #
Apr 26, 2019 08:33:34 #
Thanks all for the very informative replies. Your descriptions of the injuries jives with her crippled movements; she was literally pushing herself across the aggregate by her wings and could achieve no loft.
Apr 26, 2019 08:48:57 #
You would be surprised at their ability to fly with wing damage...
Apr 29, 2019 10:34:06 #
Instead of wing damage, I see unmarred, perfect wings on a tiger swallowtail newly emerged from its chrysalis. It takes several hours before its wings form completely and the insect can fly. In the meantime, it hobbles along as well as it can in search of a perch from which to spring aloft.
Apr 29, 2019 13:10:48 #
rbsheridan wrote:
Instead of wing damage, I see unmarred, perfect wings on a tiger swallowtail newly emerged from its chrysalis. It takes several hours before its wings form completely and the insect can fly. In the meantime, it hobbles along as well as it can in search of a perch from which to spring aloft.
Thanks for this - makes perfect sense. And I reckon mid to late April is about the right time to emerge?
Apr 29, 2019 14:04:00 #
Sounds right, but it's going to be later here (Haines Falls, northern Catskills in upstate NY). Your delicate subject appeared to be without blemish, no sign of mishap. I thought this alternative scenario would make it a happier memory for you.
Apr 29, 2019 16:00:37 #
rbsheridan wrote:
Sounds right, but it's going to be later here (Haines Falls, northern Catskills in upstate NY). Your delicate subject appeared to be without blemish, no sign of mishap. I thought this alternative scenario would make it a happier memory for you.
Got any more lying around? Happy memories I mean :<)
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