Lepidoptera Day

 
The day was actually Saturday, but I saw too many interesting things on that walk to put them all in one post.

Sometimes a dead butterfly is, well... not a good butterfly... but it does help one learn identification. This is definitely a clouded sulphur, but it's pretty much impossible to get a picture like this if it's alive, because they always land with their wings closed. But when it's flying, this is what you see- the black band edging both the fore and hind wings.



Here's the clincher: same butterfly, double spot on the hind wing, no orange.



I had to look this one up from scratch. It looks like a wooly bear without the black band. It is related. It's also extremely variable, Estigmene acrea. And the odd thing is, the common name is Salt Marsh Caterpillar/Moth, which would make you think it should be found in ocean coastal areas, right? It's found all over the country and the caterpillars are common in the fall. So have I not been looking, or are there more this year? You've probably seen the moth- the wings are all white with black spots and the body has yellow stripes. Very common and noticeable because it is white.



Now for the find of the day! Sadly, it was dead and somewhat damaged, but I was really happy to be able to get a closeup look. This is another of the hummingbird or hawk moths. This one is called the Clearwing Hummingbird Moth, Hemaris thysbe. You can see how big it is in my hand. The wings are beautiful with the chestnut bands and clear "windows."



The underside was interesting too, with those furry legs.



Finally, just because it completes the cycle with the adult Monarch butterfly also seen on Saturday, here's a Monarch caterpillar. I've shown you many of these before. We have lots of milkweed here, so they are usually pretty happy.



Today was non-stop busy, and tomorrow will be more of the same, but it's all good!

	See White Lined Hummingbird Moth
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