chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Feb 23, 2012 17:33:41 GMT -5
I know this is off topic here, but with all the people here I thought maybe I could find someone knowledgeable in butterflies. I'm doing a painting of this butterfly but I always research my subject before doing the work. This one has thrown me. I have a huge collection of butterfly images along with using many on-line butterfly identification libraries and I've turned up empty trying to identify this breed. This is a ventral photo of an adult, short grayish white body, beautiful yellow underwings with clouds and black spots. Short swallowtail type off the end of the wing. Brilliant orangeish-red wing tips. One gorgeous specimen. Tried the sulphers, but none of them have this wing shape and none have that bright orange on them. I thought maybe a gulf fritillary but none of them have this color combination and none have the spike off the wing. I'm drawing a complete blank. Anyone have any ideas?  |
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Post by kk on Feb 23, 2012 18:03:26 GMT -5
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Feb 23, 2012 19:19:57 GMT -5
Robin, it is not Gulf Fritt, a common yard species for me. Will check Kaufmann right now. Where did you take the photo? Or if you did not take the photo, can you find out the location? If you did take the photo, one avenue is your Ag agent. They know the common insects if not the uncommon ones.
Update; Didn't find this in Kaufmann's Butterflies of North America, which isn't to say it isn't there. It is just to say that I didn't find it. Insects/caterpillars can travel, and the Hong Kong suggestion isn't as outlandish as you might think. Someone has observed House Crow in Louisiana -- the bird caught a ride on a freighter. How much easier for caterpillars or even a butterfly to do the same...If you are the photographer, I would definitely show it to your county/parish agricultural agent even if it proves to be an exotic.
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 23, 2012 19:26:24 GMT -5
Look under Hairstreaks. That long pointed part at the back of the wings looks like some sort of Hairstreak to me.
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Feb 23, 2012 19:35:37 GMT -5
Nope, not Hairstreaks, they have twin spikes on their tails. KK, thank you very much, that is the breed!! Perfect! I was looking up sapphires and never could find this color. Go figure, they call it Purple!!! lol...
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Feb 23, 2012 19:40:48 GMT -5
KK, thanks again, looked up the scientific name and voila, there it was!
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Feb 23, 2012 19:41:08 GMT -5
Heh. Think about it. The Red-Bellied Woodpecker which you've probably seen a million times...and how many times have you seen even a pink belly, much less a red one? There are a certain number of names that are just hazing, to see if you're in the club. Be that as it may, if you saw this insect in North Carolina and photographed it yourself, I would report it to your county Ag guy or gal. They get real heated up sometimes about your exotic insects, although I'm guessing it's fairly harmless...
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,504
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 23, 2012 19:47:47 GMT -5
What the frack is that? *L* I thought I was pretty good at butterflies till you posted this one. Looks like a hairstreak but it ain't in any of my books. Went clear through my Kaufman but can't find it there....Mel
Oh, it's ferr-in, I feel better now *L*.
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Feb 23, 2012 20:01:08 GMT -5
This was shot in Florida at a botanical garden.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,504
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 24, 2012 0:08:37 GMT -5
Wow, I wonder how it got into Florida. Wonder if it was in one of those caged butterfly exhibits? I think it's supposed to be an Asian species....Mel
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