Sunday, May 22, 2011

Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)

We don’t see Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) butterflies very often and when we do, they’re usually on the move. On a recent trip to the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge southwest of Hillsboro in Jones County, Georgia, this swallowtail was on the move but stopped to rest on a Sweetgum (Liquidamber styraciflua) branch for a while.

Partially in the shade and facing the camera directly, this butterfly shows only a hint of blue on the wings.

In the sun and at a slightly different angle, blue color is visible on the abdomen.

Taken in 2009, this photograph shows the distinctive pattern on the underside of the wings.
Click on an image to view a larger image


Identification resources:
- Butterflies and Moths of North America: Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)

- Westcentral Georgia Butterflies by Michael Beohm: Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)

- BugGuide: Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)

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