One of our largest, most beautiful, and fairly common butterflies, the Tiger Swallowtail in its light form is unmistakable. But the females in this area can be light or dark. The dark form females are thought to gain protection from predators by mimicking the Pipe Vine Swallowtail.
As a caterpillar they feed on specific plants including Tulip tree ,Black Cherry and Sweet bay. Nectar plants for the adult butterfly are very widespread, but the species prefers tall herbs such as Joe-pye-weed as show in the photos.
This picture won a Blue Ribbon First Place at my Club monthly competition.
Some oldies from Costa Rica couple of years ago.
Heliconius melpomene, the postman butterfly, common postman or simply postman, is one of the heliconiine butterflies found from Mexico to northern South America. Several species in the genus have very similar markings and are difficult to distinguish and known under different names such as Rosina
Feeding on the branches deep down from the level I was standing. Its bright color gave it away.
Males of this medium sized butterfly reflect a brilliant purple iridescence from the upper side wings. This butterfly breeds in rainforest habitats at altitudes from sea level to about 1600m.
Males are often seen on sunny forest tracks or along the beds of dry streams, imbibing mineral rich moisture from rocks.
Another species of butterfly that blends very nicely with its surrounding, well camouflaged and unseen by many visitors. Quite a handsome species.
This little butterfly was hardly noticeable as it stood still. For a clearer view, I thought that blurring the background foliage in Photoshop will make them both stand out better,
Dryas iulia (often incorrectly spelled julia) commonly called the Julia butterfly, Julia heliconian, the flame, or flambeau, is a species of brush-footed butterflies. The sole representative of its genus Dryas, it is native from Brazil to southern Texas and Florida. Over 15 subspecies have been described.