|
|
Red Admiral
(09/11/2006) hope you can help identify this bug
I saw this insect hanging around on the east side of the house
on a sunny day in early September. Can you identify it for
me? Thank you.
This lovely, rapid flying butterfly is a Red Admiral,
though amateur lepidopterist, wordmeister and author of Lolita
Vladimir Nabakov referred to it as the Red Admirable. In our Mount Washington, Los Angeles offices, this butterfly is often found alighting on the hose in the late afternoon sun.
Not Southern Dogface Butterfly, but Sleepy Orange
(09/11/2006) new species
I'm pretty sure this is a Southern Dogface butterfly, which
I didn't find on your site. I don't see the "eye"
in the photo, and the coloration underneath I haven't seen
in any other photos on the web; although the site www.enature.com
refers to an Autumn-Winter form of the butterfly that has
magenta coloring underneath. Maybe this is the Autumn-Winter
form? This was taken in Memphis, TN. Thanks again for keeping
up such a great site.
Tim
www.WildlifeTheater.com
 
Hi Again Tim,
It is contributors like you with your marvelous imagery that
makes our site so special. We agree that this could be a Southern
Dogface Butterfly, Zerene cesonia. We have located a site
that states: "underside hindwing of wet season "summer" form
is yellow; that of dry season "winter" form is mottled with
black and pink." This is a species that seems to exhibit much
individual variation, and that could explain the absence of
the dog's eye.
Ed. Note: Mike Quinn writes "Not Southern
Dogface, Sleepy Orange... Compare."
Tailed
Blues Mating
(09/08/2006) Beetles in my house! (Tenebrio) and a bug-love
photo
Hello!
I stumbled across your site while googling "beetles in
my house"...thank you in advance for your help, and for
your wonderful site! I live in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and
discovered a bunch of nasty little beetle larvae in a large
bag of dog food about ten days ago. I immediately got rid
of the dog food and thoroughly cleaned the can in which it
was stored, but I've had random beetles popping up throughout
the house since. I've checked the flour, which is fine, but
haven't gone through the whole kitchen yet. Any clue as to
where they're coming from, whether or not I should be worried,
and what to do about them? I'm attaching a photo just taken
of one of the little beasties in my bathroom. Think they might
be Tenebrio spp., but I don't know anything about them, really.
Also noticed that you have a page dedicated to bug love, and
am thus attaching some blues that I photographed over the
summer in Connecticut. Thanks again!
lisa schauer
Hi Lisa,
The beetle photo you sent us is not a Mealworm or Tenebrid
Beetle, but a Carabid or Ground Beetle. They are beneficial
hunters. Next time you suspect a Tenebrid invasion, check
to see if Junior dropped some Chips Ahoy cookies between the
cushions of the couch. Your mating Tailed Blues are gorgeous.
Hackberry Butterfly
(09/04/2006) i identified it! a hackberry butterfly
I sent this picture yesterday, today I found a great book
Butterflies and Moths of Missouri and I found my little butterfly.
It's a Hackberry Butterfly.
angie
Hi Angie,
We are very happy your letter does not contain a chilling
account where this exaggeratedly large and aggressive creature
terrorized your children (love the photo), so you squashed
it. We also appologize for not answering your letter yesterday,
but our mail volume is very high. We did locate a nice webpage
with the stages of metamorphosis of the Hackberry Butterfly,
Asterocampa celtis celtis. This past spring, Thomas from Madison
Wisconsin also sent us complete photos of the Hackberry
Emperor metamorphosis.
Red Spotted Purple
(08/31/2006) blue-copper butterfly?
Can you tell me what species this is? THANKS!
Greg
Hi Greg,
They say color is the most subjective element in art, and
it is amusing that you describe this as a blue-copper butterfly.
The actual common name is composed of two other colors, Red
Spotted Purple. The species is Limenitis arthemis.
Female
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail: Dark Form
(08/27/2006) spicebush pipevine pipebush spicevine I need
help
Mr. Bugman,
I have tried to find a way to identify the difference between
a pipevine and a spicebush swallowtail but I'm kinda stupid
at it. I'm worried that some folks online don't have it right,
as there seem to be conflicting reports. This picture was
taken in Central Kentucky. Help me Obi-Wan Kenobugman, you're
my only hope.
Drew in Scotland (where there are no swallowtails)
Hi Drew,
Neither is correct. This is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail,
Papilio glaucus. Some females, especially in the southern
part of the range, are dark. The tiger pattern can still be
distinguished as the lighting on your photograph nicely illustrates.
Gray Hairstreak and Pearl Crescent
(08/26/2006) new additions
I was trying to get photos of hummingbirds and ended up turning
my attention to these butterflies. These are very common here
(Memphis, TN) and across most of the country, but I didn't
see them on your site so I'm passing them along if you would
like them. If I've identified them correctly they are a Pearl
Crescent and a Gray Hairstreak. Thanks,
Tim Doyle
www.WildlifeTheater.com
 |
 |
| Gray
Hairstreak |
Pearl
Crescent |
Hi Tim,
We recently posted our first Pearl Crescent photo, but are
thrilled to have another. The Gray Hairstreak is a new species
for us.
Eastern
Tailed Blue
(08/25/2006) eastern tailed blue
Hi. I just wanted to share a photo of what I believe is an
eastern tailed blue, probably a male. We live near Ottawa,
ON. Take care.
Sharon
Hammond, ON
Hi Sharon,
Thanks for sending in your photo of an Eastern Tailed Blue,
Everes comyntas.
Mating Monarch Butterflies
(08/24/2006) image of mating monarch butterflies for Bug Love
page
Hi,
I came across "What's That Bug" yesterday and thought
you might be interested in the attached image of mating monarch
(?) butterflies. I photographed the pair at Grosse Point Lighthouse
in Evanston, Illinois, just north of Chicago. The butterflies
were coupled for quite some time, at rest and in flight. I
am curious if you know whether its the male or female that
does the flying, or both ... or, well, is it true love that
keeps them aloft? Thanks for a great site.
Deborah
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for sending in your beautiful image. We are going to
speculate on your flight question. The male Monarch Butterfly
has a black spot, a scent patch, that is easily visible when
the wings are opened. It is not as obvious on the underwings,
but the butterfly in your photo whose wings are outermost
appears to be the male. That butterfly would be in a better
position to control flight. Our speculation is that the male
butterfly controls flying to a greater degree when the pair
is coupled, but we might be wrong.
Lorquin's Admiral
(08/24/2006) Red Admiral?
Could you tell me, is this a red admiral? I took the photo
in Boring, Oregon, just outside of Portland. Thanks!
Leah Parker
Hi Leah,
We are excited this is NOT a Red Admiral. It is a Lorquin's
Admiral, Limenitis lorquini, and it ranges in the Pacific
Northwest. It is a new species for our site, hence the excitement.
California Tortoiseshell Swarm
(08/22/2006) more
on 8/14/2006
Dear Bugman,
Saturday afternoon, 8/19/2006, I was on the summit of the
"South Sister," 10,400, maybe 80 miles south of
Timothy Lake, OR. There we saw thousands of Nymphalis califonica
flying up the cone and along the rim of the volcanic summit.
Perhaps those seen by Jennifer and her son on 8/14/2006? ;o)
Attached is a picture taken at the summit. It was awesome
to witness!
Martha Perkins
 
Hi Martha,
Thank you for sending in your photos of this spectacular swarming
of the California Tortoiseshell Butterflies.
Great
Spangled Fritillary
(08/21/2006) What kind of butterfly is this?
Please tell me what kind of butterfly this is? Thanks. picture
taken in PA.
Pamela
Hi Pamela,
This is one of the Greater Fritillaries. We are relatively
certain it is the Great Spangled Fritillary, Speyeria cybele.
Crescent Butterfly
(08/19/2006) butterfly
I was wondering if you could help me ID this little butterfly
that was hanging around our firepit area. Sorry I couldn't
get any closer, but he would fly away every time I tried.
I also got a photo of two swamp milkweed leaf beetles mating
that I thought I'd send. We live near Ottawa, Ontario. Thanks
so much for such an amazing, informative site.
Sharon
Hammond, ON
Hi Sharon,
This is a Crescent Butterfly in the genus Phyciodes. It looks
like a Northern Crescent, Phyciodes selenis. In the book "Butterflies
Through Binoculars: The West", Jeffrey Glassberg writes: "Northern
and Pearl Crescents seem to behave as separate species in
some areas and as subspecies in others. This complex coes
not comfortably fit within the neat boxes we like to construct.
If you consider all individuals as Pearl Crescents, you'll
not only make your identifications easier, you'll probably
be closer to the biological reality."
Silver Spotted Skipper
(08/16/2006) moth
I found this fellow by a stream in my neighborhood in Illinois.
Could you let me know what he is? Joe
Hi Joe,
Your Silver Spotted Skipper, Epargyreus clarus, is a butterfly,
not a moth.
Spicebush Swallowtail and Greater Fritillary
(08/16/2006) BUTTERFLY QUESTIONS
Hi Bugman,
Your help in identifying these two flutterbys would be much
appreciated. The golden one is a puzzle. The color looks drab
but the wings, when open in the sunlight, are a brilliant
gold. At first, I assumed that the black beauty was a black
swallowtail. Now, I'm not so certain. Could it be a pipevine
or spicebush swallowtail? I'd like to label my pictures correctly.
Several of these have been swooping about in our garden this
year. I've noticed that they tend to chase, or harass, the
tiger swallowtails. Friendly or hostile behaviour . . . .
would love to know. So glad I discovered your helpful site
. . . I hope my pictures will help others "put a name
to the face!" Thanks!
Susan B. Naumann
 |
 |
| Greater
Fritillary |
Spicebush
Swallowtail |
Hi Susan,
We must begin by chastising you for not providing us with
a location. We do not even want to attempt to identify your
Greater Fritillary to the species level without that, and
even with a location, that is difficult. One of our favorite
writers and amateur lepidopterists, Vladimir Nabokov, has
written extensively on this genus in his awesome novel Ada.
Suffice to say your Greater Fritillary is in the genus Speyeria.
The swallowtail is, we believe, a Spicebush Swallowtail based
on the spot patterns. Your photos are quite lovely and a welcome
addition.
Hi again, Bugman!
Thanks for the quick response! I apologize for omitting such
important information. My Greater Fritillary and Spicebrush
Swallowtail pictures were taken in Connecticut. Glad to have
the name/spelling correction, too (Spicebrush).
Susan
Hi Susan,
Based on your follow-up, we have changed the spelling to Spicebush
Swallowtail, though we have seen both spellings in use. This
is probably a carryover from our youth, when we referred to
this as a Spicebrush Swallowtail. Spicebush Swallowtail seems
to make much more sense.
Chorinea sylphina: Red Spot Long Tail Glass Wing
(08/15/2006) Butterfly identification
Ok Bugman - here's a tough one for you. I've just about given
up on figuring this one out... This beautiful creature was
taken deep in the jungles of Bolivia during a 3-day trek back
in December 2004. I thought it might be a clearwing butterfly,
but all images show a much different wing & body shape.
Help me Bugman, you're my only hope!
Kolby
 
Hi Kolby,
We tried a google search of South American Butterflies and
ended up in the Ebay section. We found a near perfect match
called a Red Spot Long Tail Glass Wing, but no scientific
name. We present your living specimen side by side with the
mounted Ebay item, and perhaps one of our readers can give
us something more exact.
Hey bugman!
Thank you! You have lead me to an answer, but feel free to
say you found it using your own research. On that ebay item
that you pointed out, they wrote "Chorinea Species, Brazil."
A quick google search found an exact match: Chorinea
sylphina, or the Bee Butterfly! ~Kahunna
Spread Winged Skipper
(08/15/2006) Pyrginae
Hi,
I need help identifing this Pyrginae. I think it's a cloudywing
or duskywing but not sure of species. Thank you,
Patrick Schmitt
Hi Patrick,
Well, we agree with Subfamily Pyrginae, the Spread Winged
Skippers, but we do not feel confident taking this to the
genus level, much less species.
Hi guys,
The genus would be Erynnis for Patrick's skipper, but the
species is hard to determine. Loving your site,
Dave Fallow
Madison, WI
Mourning Cloak, Anglewing Butterfly and Gossamer Winged
Butterfly
(08/15/2006) 3 butterflies
Some more for your fine web page, One a Mourning Cloak Butterfly.
I stalked up on it and got close to 4 inches for this picture!!
It didnt fly off untell I bumped the grass with my foot. It
must of been the heat, 109 degrees, it just couldn't do anything
but sit there. The orange one I think is called a Hoary Comma,
Im not sure though. It is not on your webpage so enjoy the
new picture :) I took this one on a hike in the mountians
one earlly spring about 4 years ago. The blue one is a Gossamer
Winged butterfly I believe. again Im not sure on that. It
was rather hard to photograph this little guy. It kept flying
off and landing on my camera haha! Then it would land back
on the same flower. But finally I got the picture.
Mike
oh btw I got your webpage linked up on my links section and
also I got you linked in my Black hills gallery with the Achemon
Caterpiller you ID'ed for me.
 |
 |
| Mourning
Cloak |
Anglewing
Butterfly |
Hi Mike,
Thanks for sending in your butterfly photos. We are not sure
if this is a Hoary Comma, Polygonia gracilis, but we can tell
you it is the correct genus Polygonia, the Anglewing Butterflies.
We are not sure what species of Lycean Blue you have here.
They are very difficult to sort as to species.
California Tortoiseshell: Population Explosion
(08/14/2006) Timothy Lake, Oregon
My son and I went camping at Timothy Lake, Oregon this weekend
and saw the most fascinating thing. What seemed like thousands
of butterflies EVERYWHERE. It was hard not to hit them as
we were driving to the lake. They were on the lake shore in
the hundreds. I believe they were monarch butterflies. I tried
to find out if this was a regular occurrence but no one seemed
to know anything about it (including the forestry center volunteers).
They seemed to disappear as the sun went down and then come
out of nowhere as the weather got warmer. Would you be able
to help me find out if this is normal in our area (northern
Oregon; Mt Hood area)? Thanks,
Jennifer
 
Hi Jennifer,
These are California Tortoiseshells, Nymphalis californica.
According to the book "Butterflies Through Binoculars: The
West": "This species, often quite rare, has periodic irruptions
and migratory movements. In irruption years the butterfly
may be everywhere, with the caterpillars completely covering
Ceanothus-covered hillsides."
Monarch
Butterflies Mating
(08/12/2006) Monarchs Mating
The two monarchs on this photo were one pair of about six
in the area. The pairs would fly about with one butterfly
on top doing the flying and the one underneath just hanging
on, legs to legs and tail to tail. Every once in awhile they
would alight on a branch, freeing their legs up just before
landing and end up with just the tails touching. When they
resumed their flight, the bottom butterfly would reach up
to re-establish the grip on the legs. I guess having one butterfly
carry the other while flying is a good test to see if the
partner is suitable mating material considering the migration
to Mexico they have to undertake in the fall. Regards
Paul
Hi Paul,
We like your theory about flight strength and migration, but
other butterflies that stay local use the same position. Thanks
for sending us your wonderful image.
Eastern
Tailed Blue
(08/10/2006) Eastern Tailed Blue
Good evening Mr. Bugman,
I just discovered your site today, and as an inveterate 1.
namer, 2. shutterbug (didn't find that one on your site) and
especially 3. macro fiend I was more than delighted! I've
already ID'd several 'bugs' that had been bugging me. Thank
you so much. I've attached 5 photos - 4 I know, and one I'd
like to confirm. I live in Orange County, VIRGINIA - the north
central piedmont of the state. All photos have been taken
within a 4 mile radius of Orange, VA (county seat). If you
don't object, I'll send others of insects you don't appear
to have - and maybe a few that I need help with. I just don't
want to overdo it in my enthusiasm for your site. What a great
service, and I'll add that no insects are harmed in the photographic
process. They are either in the wild or occasionally found
deceased, although no deceased ones in this group. Eastern
tailed blue (Everes comyntas) - sitting on a blade of grass
(June 2005) Thanks again for the wonderful site!
Best regards,
Lynne
Orange, VA
Hi Lynne,
We are overwhelmed by all the images you sent in. In the future,
please send only one image or one species per letter. It makes
our lives so much easier. Thanks so much for expressing your
enthusiasm. The Lycean Blues, like this Eastern Tailed Blue,
were the favorite butterflies of our favorite novelist, Vladimir
Nabokov.
Mating
Pennsylvania Leatherwings share thistle with Black Swallowtail
(08/05/2006) Name that Beetle
I just discovered your wonderful website while I was trying
to identify the mating beetles sharing the thistle with a
Black Swallowtail. The picture was taken last summer just
out side Madison WI. Are these a Pennsylvania leather-wings?
Bill Ottinger
 
Hi Bill,
You are absolutely correct. The mating Pennsylvania Leatherwings
are common beetles found on roadside flowers, especially goldenrod.
Variegated Fritillary
(07/29/2006) possible Hackberry or Satyr Butterfly
I have lots of these flitting around my Lantana in Corpus
Christi TX. I'd love to get a positive id.
Kara
Hi Kara,
This looks to us like a Variegated Fritillary, Euptoieta claudia.
Anise Swallowtail Rescue Mission!!!!!
(07/29/2006) Anise Swallowtails and their larva
Hi!
It might be unusual for you guys to receive pics of already-identified
beasties, but I do actually have a question for you. We were
delighted to encounter a pair of Anise Swallowtail larva in
a jar at a store in Berkeley (called The Bone Room), and so
we acquired them (for $2 each). The furry, attractive guys
chewed away at their sprig of anise with great rapidity. We
went on an expedition to locate additional food sources. A
gigantic open parking lot at the hospital up the street was
overgrown with anise. There we harvested fresh food... and
looked for more caterpillars. After a while we began to spot
them, and came back with a couple more. A few days later we
went for more anise, and noticed that the hospital was engaging
in a campaign of brush-clearing... several stands were now
eradicated, chewed up and temporarily stored in plastic garbage
bags (we hope they were at least headed for composting, but
even that seemed unlikely). At that point we realized any
caterpillars anywhere in the lot that we failed to rescue
were doomed. Over the next three weeks we eventually accumulated
19 caterpillars. We found them in each of their five instars,
although the majority were noticed in second instar. They
are gorgeous and we enjoyed them greatly. I have very large
(32 oz) plastic cups with special lids which I use for fruit
fly cultures, so those were repurposed as caterpillar enclosures.
They seemed to work well. Eventually we had 19 chrysalises.
After less than two weeks, the first chrysalis opened, and
we had our first Anise Swallowtail! When we found it, its
wings were still crumpled up. We moved it outside, putting
it on some moss in the shade. After running errands, we found
it still there hours later - its wings fully erect, but not
moving much. It was gently relocated to the Nasty Urshums
(so my mother calls Nasturtiums) in the sunshine, and I captured
a few pics... it flexed its wings several times in the warm
sun, and then flew off! I can't tell you how wonderful it
was to see that. Hand-raised swallowtails! We have since had
five adults emerge, all within two weeks of the first. Here
is the question: it's now been around 7 or 8 weeks since the
last one emerged... we still have over a dozen chrysalises.
Some are bright green, and some are a dull brown woody color
- this seems not to matter, as both kinds had successful adults
before. So, what gives? Why are these ones not hatching? Are
they dead? We did have one that was definitely dead - it didn't
succesfully attach to a stem or the wall or roof of the cups,
and we found it blackened and rotting a couple weeks ago in
some accumulated moisture at the bottom of the cups. This
has not happened to the rest though. Looking at the browner
chrysalises, it's hard to imagine there is still alive insect
inside... but I know well that looks can be decieving. We
have had much warmer weather lately. Could this be a factor?
(our house is not air conditioned, so it has gotten just as
warm inside as outside). Could some be hibernating? If so,
why would some hibernate while others seemed perfectly satisfied
to emerge in the normal alotted time? I thank you for whatever
help you can provide... and attach a scan of my best photo
of the first adult as a reward. I took this with my Canon
AE-1, with Kodak 400, in bright sunlight at around 250 or
500 shutter speed in shutter-priority program mode. I used
my Vivitar 28-105mm (f2.8-3.8) zoom lens in macro mode. The
pic has been level-corrected, color-corrected, and the contrast
adjusted in Photoshop, as well as reduced in size for suitable
e-mailing and webposting. Thanks
Josh
Hi Josh,
All we can suggest is to be patient. Nature has a way of ensuring
survival by not having all plants sprout at the same time,
and this might also apply to metamorphosis.
Spicebrush Swallowtail
(07/26/2006) a black butterfly - Identification for artistic
purposes.
Hey!
I am a photographer, and my latest preoccupation is taking
pictures of myself holding various insects. Previously I submitted
an adorable little fuzzy moth, and to add to that I also have
what I'm pretty sure is a paper wasp, and what I think might
be a swallowtail butterfly. Both were photographed in Richmond,
VA. I unfortunately can't remember the seasons. If you get
a chance, let me know. Thank you for your wonderful site!
Kelli.
 
Hi Kelli,
Your butterfly is a Spicebrush Swallowtail, Papilio troilus.
Black Swallowtail
(07/25/2006) Swallowtail
Hi Bugman,
This swallowtail was flying around in my yard this morning
and I'm wondering if it's a black swallowtail.
Joanna
 
Hi Joanna,
Yes, this is a Black Swallowtail.
Cloudless Sulphur and American Snouts
(07/20/2006) butterflies
Hi bugman,
I looked for these butterflies on your site, but couldn't
find them; one seems to look like a sulfur butterfly, but,
it is all-yellow and doesn't have the spots that the one on
your site has. And about the other picture with the two small
camouflaged butterflies, let me tell you that right now there
is an invasion of epic proportions of this species of butterfly
here in northern Mexico (Piedras Negras to be exact). I can't
drive without seeing thousands of butterflies of this same
species floating all over the street. In my home garden alone
there are like two thousand of these (and it is a relatively
small garden). If it isn't too much trouble I would love it
if you could tell me more about this butterfly species, I've
lived here for 17 years and had never seen so many butterflies
in my life! Thanks,
-Humberto
 |
 |
| Cloudless
Sulphur |
American
Snouts |
Hola Humberto,
Your Cloudless Sulphur, Phoebis sennae, is gorgeous. It is
one of the least clouded we have ever seen. The male, like
yours, is a clear yellow while the female has markings. The
other butterflies are American Snouts, Libytheana carinenta.
Our Butterflies through Binoculars, the West book claims:
"Sometimes swarming in the millions (in the Rio Grande Valley),
this is the chameleon of the butterfly world."
Orange Tip and Peacock
(07/17/2006) Hello from Scotland
Dear Bugman,
Wow, what a fun website. I'm an Kentuckian living in Scotland.
I thought I'd send you pictures of two of the most lovely
and most plentiful butterflies from over here, The Orange
Tip (Anthocharis cardamines) and the Peacock (Inachis io).
It is easy to tell which is which. Here's my question: Is
there a new world type of Orange Tip? I feel like I've seen
very similar looking butterflies in Central Kentucky.
Thanks a million!
-Drew Hammond
 
Hi Drew,
Thanks for sending your photos. Yes, there are several species
of Orange Tips, also in the genus Anthocharis, in the new
world.
Robber
Fly eats Sulphur Butterfly
(07/15/2006) Your Predator and Prey Page
Dear Bugman,
I have a couple of images that I would like to have submitted
to your "food chain" page..I am from upstate new
york, which is where these images were taken. The first is
a robber fly (with what looks to be a cabbage white butterfly).
The second image is of a green dragonfly with some sort of
small white moth in its mouth...not sure what "type"
of dragonfly it is, or what kind of moth...but thought they
were fairly interesting!
Christina
Hi Christina,
The Robber Fly is eating a Sulphur Butterfly.
Mourning Cloak
(07/14/2006) Mouring Cloak with open wings...
As I went out to my garage earlier, I saw this butterfly in
there go up the rafters so I ran in the house to get the camera
and this is what I found:I checked your site and there were
2 or 3 pics but they were all closed wings. and one with closed
wings. I live in north San Diego County in Vista and I think
it was trying to cool down as it is about 90-95 degrees here
right now.
 
It is our observation in Los Angeles the Mourning Cloaks
are plentiful this year.
Summer Azures eating Scat
(07/12/2006) Summer Azures eating bird poo
Hi again,
So I found these beauties today feasting on bird poo! I've
known that butterflies would visit various mammal poo but
had no idea they would consider bird poo for a meal. That's
so acidic! (Don't ask me how I know.. Suffice it to say, never
look up with your mouth agape when bird watching! ...Oh!...
too many bad flash backs, must change the subject now.) I
was wondering if your food chain page could include insects
eating something besides other insects as the food chain generally
starts with something eating from either plants (grown with
energy from the sun) or from waste products and detritus (dead
stuff). This photo would fall into the 2nd category of course.
When they took flight they had the most amazing flash of purple-blue
on the top side of their wings. Based on extensive searching
thru the Bugguide.com site, they appear to be Summer Azures.
Have a great day!
Michelle Nash
Lily Lake, IL
 
Hi Michelle,
We were familiar with Spring Azures, but not with Summer Azures,
so we went to Bugguide.
There we found Celastrina neglecta, the Summer Azure. We also
found information
to help identify the eight species in the genus. Thank you
for sending in such a fascinating series of photos. Though
we are intrigued by your suggestion regarding the Food
Chain, for now that page is devoted to predators and prey.
Zebra
Swallowtail
(07/05/2006) Zebra Swallowtail
I can't tell you how valuable your site has been to me the
past couple of months. I do volunteer work for the Missouri
Conservation Department, and I am putting an insect collection
together to be used in their exhibit room for educational
purposes with school children as well as the general public.
I have been able to accurately identify many of the species
I've found. Thank you, and keep up the good work. I've enclosed
a picture of a Zebra Swallowtail I took recently. I thought
you might want to add it to your site, as I only seen one
other one posted. Use it as you wish.
Shelly
Savannah, MO
Hi Shelly,
Your letter was sent during our severe technical problem.
Now we are trying to answer some of the letters that are backlogged.
We opened yours as soon as we read the subject line and are
thrilled to have your spectacular photo of this most beautiful
butterfly.
Tawny Emperor
(06/24/2006) Tawny Emperor - the end of the saga
Hi Lisa Anne and Daniel,
After a longer break, I want to keep my promise and send the
last pictures of the Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton) to
you. They were a bit difficult to take, because the pharate
pupal stage always appeared early in the morning. The pupa
is a female, while the butterfly on the pictures is a male.
I want to add a little story here: In the beginning of June
I went at night with a flashlight into the forest nearby my
house and checked on approximately 10 trees for Asterocampa
caterpillars. I found nearly 200 caterpillars in total of
both species (celtis and clyton), sitting and eating on the
underside of hackberry leafes. It was just amazing how many
they were. If you try to find the sister species (Apatura
iris or Apatura ilia) in Europe, you can consider yourself
lucky to find one caterpillar in a year. OK, have a great
time, and I will keep you updated when I breed new exciting
species.
Best wishes,
Thomas
Thomas Werner, PhD
Madison, WI
 
Hi again Thomas,
Thank you so much for completing the saga of the Tawny Emperor.
We eagerly await next spring to see what new species you will
send our way.
Puddling Tiger Swallowtails
(06/20/2006) Eastern Tiger Swallowtails dining
Hi again Lisa Anne and Daniel,
I just wanted to add my favourite picture from my recent vacation,
taken at Washington Island (Door County, Wisconsin). I met
these beautiful Eastern Tiger Swallowtails when my memory
card of the camera crashed. It took me 20 nervous trouble
shooting minutes until I could finally take this shot. I hope
you enjoy it.
Best regards,
Thomas
Hi Thomas,
Thanks for sending the photo of the Tiger Swallowtails puddling.
Some species of butterflies drink water from puddles, and
often, the nastier the water, the more they like it. We noticed
your photo is enormous. Perhaps you were having a problem
because the image is 6.2 M and that is overkill unless you
plan to make a billboard.
Eastern Comma actually a Questionmark
(06/12/2006) Eastern Comma?
Hi Bugpersons:
Hope you had a nice vacation. We missed you. Here are some
photos of what I think is an Eastern Comma. I had to (horrors!)
search beyond your website to locate a possible "match".
Thankfully, that doesn't happen often.
Jill - suburbs of Chicago
Hi Jill,
We had a wonderful, though very short, holiday. We got to
see an Eastern Comma visit mom's garden on most sunny days.
It would fly erratically and then land on a flat sunny rock.
Your photo is indeed an Eastern Comma. We can't imagine that
searching other websites is as horrific as you claim. Thankfully,
in the future, people will be able to identify this Anglewing
Butterfly thanks to your image on our site.
Correction: (07/09/2007 ancient correction...
Hi again Daniel and Lisa,
When you get some slack time, please look back to a post from
6/12/06, in Caterpillars 2 on your site. It's an anglewing
ID'ed as an Eastern Comma. I believe it's a Question Mark,
based on the bar or "eyebrow" over the outermost of the three
dots on the forewing. There are some good photos on this
site: http://www.wisconsinbutterflies.org/butterflies/species/177 Thanks again for What's
That Bug site... regards,
Dave Fallow
Madison, WI
Thanks Dave,
Though you directed us to Caterpillars 2, we quickly determined you must have meant Butterflies 2.
Giant Swallowtail
(05/31/2006) polka-dot wasp moth
Hi Bugman,
I found a polka-dot wasp moth caterpillars on my desert rose.
Should I be concern? Also, I've attached a picture of a swallow
tail taken outside my window.
joanna
Hi Joanna,
The caterpillars will eat the leaves and the leaves will grow
back. Unless the plant is infested, we would leave the caterpillars.
Your Giant Swallowtail is beautiful.
Probably Thoas Swallowtail
(05/30/2006) Mexican Swallowtail - Giant Swallowtail or Thoas
Swallowtail?
hi Bugman!
I wrote a few weeks ago after I found a caterpillar I could
not identify. I gave it a habitat and let it do it's thing.
I came home to a beautiful swallowtail yesterday! I originially
thought it was an 'orange dog' caterpillar --- but it wasn't
quite the right colors.
Then I found a Mexican website (I live in Tucson Arizona)
and was able to see it was some sort of swallowtail larva.
I have attached a photo sequence of caterpillar, to chrysallis,
to butterfly. It's happily fluttering about my yard now, but
I think I got some good pics while it was in my care. This
time I sent web-ready versions if you want to post them. I'm
having trouble determining if it's Giant Swallowtail or Thoas
Swallowtail. See:
http://www.mariposasmexicanas.com/papilio_heraclides_cresphontes.htm
and http://www.mariposasmexicanas.com/papilio_heraclides_thoas_autocles.htm
I cannot really determine (even by Googling) if the lower
wing red markings are classic of either species since my swallowtail
has more red going up the lower wing. Either way, it seemed
to be a mexican variety (sandy coloring) of the usual dark
brown/white orange dog caterpillar. I love your site! You
got me hooked and trying to identify this critter! Thanks!
Adrienne
 
Hi Adrienne,
Thanks for all the photos and research. According to BugGuide:
The Giant Swallowtail is "Distinguished from P. thoas by the
larger spots forming in the lower left leg of the X on the
front wing. " Your specimen has small spots on the forewings,
so we favor Thoas Swallowtail. Here is just one more link
with information.
Metamorphosis of the Hackberry Emperor
(05/25/2006) A complete Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
collection
Dear Lisa Anne and Daniel,
Today I want to add some more beauty to your wonderful site.
It feels prestiguous to be published on it. Here I am sending
the picture collection of the Hackberry Emperor to you. It
shows the main stages from when one can find them as young
caterpillars in early spring until the butterfly is hatched.
For those people who want to distinguish the young stages
from the Tawny Emperor (A. clyton), one should pay attention
to the almost black head of the very young caterpillars.
 
In later caterpillar instars, the horns of the hackberry Emperor
(A. celtis) have much shorter spines. The older caterpillars
have typical white stripes which are not in line with the
head-tail body axis. These stripes will also be visible on
the pupa and are white and clearly visible on the pupa.
 
The butterfly resembles to the Painted Lady, and care should
be taken when identifying it. So, there are still a few pictures
of the Tawny Emperor coming. It can't take long until the
photo model is close to hatch. Until then, have a nice weekend,
and I will get back to you soon with the last batch of pictures
for this spring.
Best regards,
Thomas
Madison/Wisconsin
 
Hi again Thomas,
We are so lucky to get each awesome batch of images you send
our way. Your patience in unparalleled. Not only do you raise
all these wonderful caterpillars, you get amazing photographs
of all the stages. If we are nearing the end of the photos
for this season, we can't wait to see what next spring will
bring. Have a great day.
Daniel and Lisa Anne
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
(05/22/2006) Alaska bug pictures
Here are some of my Tiger Swallowtail pictures (I believe
it's a Canadian Tiger Swallowtail). They are all of the same
individual. As I get time, I will try to go through your site
and see what I have that you don't.
David
Hi David,
Thanks for sending the photo of Papilio canadensis, the Canadian
Tiger Swallowtail.
Red Spotted Purple Pupa and Butterfly: The Saga Continues!!
(05/13/2006) Red Spotted Purple - A Happy End
Dear Bugman,
The photo model hatched today, which provided us with a nice
photo series: The Red Spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax).
To end this story, I am sending a picture of the pharate pupa
and the hatched butterfly (sitting next to its exuvie). I
will give you a little break from my letters now, but I will
return, because I am preparing a photo series of two very
interesting and closely related species: Asterocampa celtis
(Hackberry Emperor) and A. clyton (Tawny Emperor). I have
already some gorgeous pictures of very small and bigger caterpillars
of both species, but I will wait until I have photos of the
pupae as well.
Best regards,
Thomas
Madison/Wisconsin
 
Hi Thomas,
Thank you for keeping us abreast of this fascinating saga.
We eagerly await your next series. Have a wonderful day.
Daniel and Lisa Anne
Mourning Cloak
(04/23/2006) Butterfly
I have been photographing butterflies in eastern Nebraska
for some time, but this is the first I've seen of the one
in the photo attached. I can't find it in my National Audubon
Society field guide. It's approximately the same size as a
red spotted purple. Can you tell me what kind it is? Thanks!
Doug Wulf
Hi Doug,
Judging by its ragged appearance and the time of year, we
suspect your Mourning Cloak, Nymphalis antiopa, has hibernated
and emerged once the spring sun warmed the air. These butterflies
overwinter so are often among the first butterflies of spring.
Our Audubon Guide has it pictured on plate 625.
Mating Pipevine Swallowtails and Caterpillar
(04/21/2006) Mating Swallowtails
Dear Bugman,
Thought you might like this photo. Spring is definitely in
the air - we have lots and lots of emerging Pipevine Swallowtails
and they're wasting no time! Took the photo 2 days ago. I've
also attached some photos of the caterpillars that I took
last year. There were so many of these hungry guys (and gals)
munching on the pipevine bush that we could actually hear
them eating - it was really cool! I also discovered that if
you frighten or annoy them, they extend some type of "antennae"
from the back of their heads - fascinating and beautiful critters.
Ann Ranlett
Nature Illustrations & Pet Portraits
 
Hi Ann,
Your photographs are always so awesome. Both your mating butterflies
and the caterpillars are Pipevine Swallowtails, Battus philenor.
The caterpillar is displaying its osmeterium, a horned retractable
organ that gives off a foul odor. Many swallowtail caterpillars
have this defense mechanism.
Zebra Swallowtail
(04/06/2006) zebra swallowtail
I didn't see a photo of a zebra swallowtail, so I'm sending
you this one. Thanks for keeping up such a great site.
Tim
Hi again Tim,
Thanks for sending in the great photo, we cropped and rotated
it to maximize its size on our site. We will also post a like
to your site, www.wildlifetheater.com
so you will get some additional traffic.
Yellow Admiral and Granny Moth from Australia
(04/03/2006) Butterfly and moth
Hey bugman!
I couln't find either of these bugs on your site, but I might
have missed them somehow. Either way I just wanted a second
opinion on the ID of these guys. The first attached picture
is a moth that was on our back porch a couple of months ago.
I have only ever heard them called 'granny moths'. Dasypodia
selenophora was the scientific name I found on another site
but hey, I could be wrong. The other is a butterfly that landed
on some wet washing on the line that looks kind of like the
one at the bottom of your butterflies page. My search ended
with the name Vanessa itea or Yellow Admiral. Anyway, thought
you might like them even if I gave them the wrong names!
Dayna
 |
 |
| Yellow
Admiral |
Granny
Moth |
Hi Dayna,
We do have a Yellow Admiral photo that arrived a few months
ago. It is on our second butterfly page. The moth is one of
the Owlet Moths, but we like the name Granny Moth. Even though
your letter didn't state a location, we are guessing you are
in New Zealand.
Whoops I new I forgot something, sorry! I'm in South Australia.
Close guess though.
Orangetip
(04/02/2006) Butterfly
Greetings
While walking a trail at Lake Hodges in Escondido, Ca. I observed
this small butterfly, about 3/4 of an inch wing span. I have
walked this trail many times and never seen this butterfly
before. Hopefully you will be able to identify it for me.
Thanks.
Harold
Hi Harold,
This pretty little butterfly is an Orangetip, most probably
a Sara Orangetip, Anthocharis sara.
Clearwing
Butterfly
(04/01/2006) clear winged butterfly
This beautiful butterfly we can't identify or find it anywhere
on your website. Does it have a name? Please reply so my kids
can classify. Thanks!
Ginger New Mexico
Hi Ginger,
We located a site
by simply typing clearwing butterfly into google that gives
this information: "Clearwing Butterfly, Oleria
spp. (Family Ithomiidae) These ethereal and delicate tropical
forest butterflies are often lured out of their seclusion
by the chemicals found in dried Heliotropes. Their wings lack
the usual dense covering of scales that give other butterflies
their distinct coloration. This transparency renders these
clearwing butterflies elusive as they appear and disappear
in the dense forest undergrowth. After observing these butterflies,
it is easy to see how numerous butterfly wings adorn the backs
of fairies."
Jumping Spider and Prey from Costa Rica
(03/28/2006) beautiful spider and prey
I live in Costa Rica. The photo attached was taken one morning
when I found this lovely ruby-eyed white spider munching on
a pretty butterfly. Can you identify either or both?
Mary Thorman
Hi Mary,
Without doing perhaps hours of research, the best we can give
you is a very general identification. The spider is a Jumping
Spider in the family Salticidae. They do not build webs and
stalk prey, pouncing for the kill. The butterfly is a Brush-Footed
Butterfly in the family Nymphalidae.
Grass Skipper
(03/23/2006) images of fiery skipper??? not sure
Dear Bugman,
just wanted to share a few more images, hope you don't mind.
all these are from last summer (2005). i think the butterfly
is a Fiery Skipper?? (longtail???). anyway, it is sipping
lunch from my white Heliotrope. thanks for letting me share!
karen hackney
wilmington, NC
Hi Karen,
The Fiery Skipper is one species in the group known as Grass
Skippers, subfamily Hesperiinae. They are distinguished by
the position of the wings while resting, which your photo
nicely illustrates. We have a difficult time distinguising
individual species in this subfamily
Tiger Swallowtail Black Morph and Inchworm
(03/16/2006) Inchworm/Oak Besma? Butterfly?
Hello again What's That Bug.
I noticed on the Caterpiller page you have the Inchworm/Oak
Besma identification, but the picture is hard to see. I'd
like to contribute my own. Again, these are found in my backyard
in central Indiana. I have also included a picture of a butterfly
I found at the Gatlinburg Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Aquarium
in Tennessee. I searched the site, but I'm unsure as the type
of butterfly it is. Can you help?
Thanks!
Heather Burdette
 
Hi Heather,
Your unidentified butterfly is a Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio
glaucus, but a black morph. According to BugGuide:
"A dark phase occurs in females through much of range, esepcially
in southern states. The stripes are still faintly visible
from some angles. The black females may be distinguished from
other swallowtails from below, by the absence of the band
of orange spots on the hind wing seen on Black and Spicebush
Swallowtails, and lack of iridescent blue of Pipevine Swallowtails.
" We are not entirely sure your Inchworm is an Oak Besma.
It appears to be feeding on a maple leaf and there are other
Geometrid Caterpillars that look very similar. Bugguide
lists the food plants as: "Oak, elm, poplar, willows, and
white spruce." So our verdict is maybe yes and maybe no.
Mating
Lycaen Blues and Grasshopper in China
(03/14/2006) two photos - can you help me
Hi bugman
I enclose two photos that I took on the outskirts of Beijing
in China. The two mainly white butterflies are not very large
- between 1-2 inches I should think. The second picture I
have called a chinese grasshopper for want of a better idea.
It's quite brightly coloured and from memory about 3-4 inches
long. I hope you can help me by telling me what they are.
Thanks again
John Rocha
 
Hi John,
The mating butterflies are Gossamer Winged Butterflies, Lycaen
Blues, though we do not know the species. The Grasshopper
might be one of the Toothpick Grasshoppers.
88
Butterfly
(03/12/2006) Hi there,
Could you please identify this racing butterfly from Colombia?
Thanks
Daniel
Hi Daniel,
Your lovely little butterfly is in the genus Callicore, and
the many species in this genus are collectively known as 88
Butterflies because of the markings on the hind wings. According
to Evan
Summer's website: "This genus is found from Mexico to
South America. The upper side is dark with a metallic band
on the forewing while the underside is red, white, and brown
with numbers such as 69, 88, 96 on the hind wing." Your friendly
specimen actually looks like it has the number 89 on its wing.
Japanese Brushfooted Butterfly
(03/12/2006) Butterfly identification
Having seen your web site mentioned on the BBC's technology
show Click (www.bbc.co.uk/click), I though I'd drop you an
email to see if you can help me with this picture that my
wife took of a butterfly in Japan. I've tried comparing it
against images of other Japanese butterflies but I've failed
to match it. I hope you can help.
Philip
Hi Philip,
As our readership becomes more global, we are under constant
pressure to correctly identify many specimen from exotic locations.
In your case, the best we can do is a family. Your butterfly
is in the Brushfooted Butterfly family Nymphalidae. It seems
to resemble one of the Fritillaries, but that is a guess.
Even though we located a site
devoted to Japanese butterflies, we could not find your
specimen.
Yellow
Admiral Butterfly from New Zealand
(03/12/2006) moth or butterfly
Kia ora Bugman
This photo was taken in our front yard in Aotearoa (New Zealand).
Can you please let me know the name of this (moth or butterfly).
They love feasting on the nectar that comes from these little
waxy flowers.
naku noa
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
This is a Brushfooted Butterfly in the Family Nymphalidae,
but we don't recognize the species.
Hi noticed the picture that you didn't recognize, its a very
common butterfly here in new Zealand also found in Australia
common name is the Yellow Admiral Butterfly Vanessa itea.
Lorneville Chemical Lab Laboratory
Buckeye Butterfly
(03/10/2006) are you still id-ing beautiful bugs?
I have you in my address book as one who is willing to identify
bugs, beautiful or otherwise. While butterflies really don't
really classify as bugs in my lexicon, here's a beauty that
I would love to have identified. I photographed this elderly
but still beautiful creature at the UC Santa Cruz (california)
arboretum last August and just came across him in my images.
Would you help? Many thanks,
Alice Steele
Hi Alice,
This is a Buckeye Butterfly, Junonia coenia. The larvae feed
on monkey flowers and snapdragons, which probably explains
its presence at the arboretum.
|
|
