The Pale Swallowtail: a butterfly with tuxedo colors.
Sept 18, 2019 8:40:06 GMT
deliasfanatic, skandinavisk, and 2 more like this
Post by trehopr1 on Sept 18, 2019 8:40:06 GMT
The Swallowtails of the western U.S. are varied in species and in particular subspecies. Of the lot, one species in particular really stands out from the rest. I think of it as the butterfly with the "tuxedo colors". Our Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon) is quite unique amongst all the other western species for its bi-color appearance. In fact, it is the only Swallowtail species outside of the eastern seaboards "Zebra Swallowtail" to have such a color combination.
It is considered relatively common all along the Pacific Coast states where it is largely found. From Baja California to southernmost British Columbia it may be seen. Additionally, it is to be found in western Montana and Wyoming to northern New Mexico. It has even been recorded from the Black Hills of South Dakota. Strangely enough though, it is absent from most of Nevada and western Utah.
The males can be quite gregarious at times forming "puddle parties" to imbibe nutrient salts for mating. The species prefers open woodlands and forest clearing especially near ponds. Occasionally, singular specimens may be sighted in urban parks or suburban areas -- passing through....
Most specimens appear pretty much white/black in overall color but, some authors call it more a "white-cream" color. Some examples, on occasion even have a very pale yellow "look" about them.
This is the only extant specimen which I own. Fortunately, it is ex-pupa and was "gingerly" net captured by a good friend who spent a week in Washington state. I gave him a net, kill bottle, some ethyl acetate, and envelopes and said if you have the time "catch me what you can".... This is certainly the "prize" from his trip.
It is considered relatively common all along the Pacific Coast states where it is largely found. From Baja California to southernmost British Columbia it may be seen. Additionally, it is to be found in western Montana and Wyoming to northern New Mexico. It has even been recorded from the Black Hills of South Dakota. Strangely enough though, it is absent from most of Nevada and western Utah.
The males can be quite gregarious at times forming "puddle parties" to imbibe nutrient salts for mating. The species prefers open woodlands and forest clearing especially near ponds. Occasionally, singular specimens may be sighted in urban parks or suburban areas -- passing through....
Most specimens appear pretty much white/black in overall color but, some authors call it more a "white-cream" color. Some examples, on occasion even have a very pale yellow "look" about them.
This is the only extant specimen which I own. Fortunately, it is ex-pupa and was "gingerly" net captured by a good friend who spent a week in Washington state. I gave him a net, kill bottle, some ethyl acetate, and envelopes and said if you have the time "catch me what you can".... This is certainly the "prize" from his trip.
