desertflower
On The Way Up
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Location: ARIZONA (Map)
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| Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:57 pm Post subject: Whoo hoo... butterfly |
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This was on my zinnias a bit ago. My camera was dead but I used my cell phone... 
I don't know butterflies at all so someone will have to tell folks what this is.
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Last edited by desertflower on Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:47 pm; edited 2 times in total
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toni
Mistress of Garden Junque
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Joined: 07 Jan 2006
Location: North Texas (Map)
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| Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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It's a Tiger Swallowtail and from the amount of blue on the hindwing it appears to be a female.
The larvae is brown with a white splotch and looks like bird poop.
The mature caterpillar is green, with yellow eye spots. Keep you eye out for them, you may find more in a few weeks.
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desertflower
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Location: ARIZONA (Map)
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| Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks toni, That is what I told my mom I thought it was but don't have the sightest idea why. It was huge and there are not very many butterflies around here for some reason. I have a lot of flowers and I guess this stray liked them. I was so excited because it is a rare sight here. Thanks for the info..will keep my eyes open for larva and cats.
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cajunbelle
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Joined: 04 Jun 2006
Location: zone 8b Louisiana (Map)
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| Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:45 pm Post subject: |
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She's a beauty df, they love zinnias. Thanks for sharing
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Sharon
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eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
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| Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 12:02 am Post subject: |
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What a lovley photograph!! Most cell 'phone pics lose a lot of definition but certainly not your one. Well done in capturing your swallowtail.
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glendann
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| Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 3:34 am Post subject: |
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Wonderful butterfly.Zinnias are one of the best butterfly attractors in my yard but I do have others they just seem to favor zennias.
Thanks for the womderful picture.
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desertflower
On The Way Up
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| Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks guys. I hope she is back today!
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bethie
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| Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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Beautiful. If she doesn't come back someone else will.
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Frank
Happy Gardening
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| Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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Great shot DF. It almost appears GIANT in the photo  Take another look.
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desertflower
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Location: ARIZONA (Map)
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| Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 8:48 pm Post subject: |
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Frank it was the largest butterfly I have ever seen. Maybe not as large as the photo makes her look but about 5 inches at the widest point!
My sister just sent me an email asking "how big is that thing it looks two feet across"
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Netty
Chaotic Gardener
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:38 am Post subject: |
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That is a great shot desertflower! I'd love to find one of those on my Zinnia's!
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Kajoe
Just Arrived
Joined: 15 Jul 2007
Location: Minnesota
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| Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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Wow...what a picture.... with a cell phone, no less!
The Swallowtails love Zinnia as everyone has said and also in my garden Joe-Pye-Weed. I checked and in Arizona, there is only the spotted Joe-Pye Weed, but not in all parts of AZ.
The host plants for the Western Tiger Swallowtail are Aspen, Poplar, Willow, Alder and Ash Trees. I have raised Black Swallowtails with Rue plants and Parsley here in Minnesota. It is very interesting!!
Karen
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desertflower
On The Way Up
Joined: 26 Jun 2007
Location: ARIZONA (Map)
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| Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks. I made this picture into my desktop and it didn't lose any resolution. I guess my phone has a pretty good camera!
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Jo
Just Arrived
Joined: 24 May 2007
Location: Memphis, TN
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| Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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That is a beautiful butterfly! I love it when they come in my yard. Congrats on catching that shot. 
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desertflower
On The Way Up
Joined: 26 Jun 2007
Location: ARIZONA (Map)
Posts: 180
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| Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you! believe it or not, this is the only butterfly I have seen this year. Haven't seen one since.
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