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Published: 2008-07-24 13:59:39 +0000 UTC; Views: 1999; Favourites: 97; Downloads: 0
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Description
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)The Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) is found in North and Central America. It ranges from southern Canada across USA to Mexico, Tres Marias islands and onto Guatemala and Costa Rica.
The upper surface of the hind wings of the male butterfly has an iridescent metallic blue sheen. The hindwings also have a series of pale, arrow-head markings above and a single row of seven round orange spots, which never touch, set in an iridescent blue field below. The forewings are dull blackish-brown.
After mating, females lay batches of eggs on the underside of the leaves of a host plant. The caterpillars feed in small groups when young, but become solitary when older. Chrysalis overwinters. The caterpillar of the Pipevine swallowtail is reddish-brown. It has rows of fleshy, red or black coloured tubercles on its back.
Host plants for the caterpillars include the Pipevine (Aristolochia species). Pipevines confer a poisonous quality to the larvae and resulting adults, much as the monarch butterfly obtains protection by feeding on milkweed, or heliconiines by feeding on passion flowers. Adults seek nectar from flowers, including thistles, bergamot, lilac, viper's bugloss, common azaleas, phlox, teasel, azaleas, dame's rocket, lantana, petunias, verbenas, lupines, yellow star thistle, buckeye and butterfly bush.
More info: [link]
I gave my permission to *AllArts to display this deviation in the club's gallery.
Featured by the lovely Helena in her journal: "A Favourites Special of Fine Artists" [link] .
Featured by the lovely and talented Twiggy in her journal "Silhouettes Contest Winners!": [link] .
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Comments: 23
LostImages [2009-02-05 07:06:52 +0000 UTC]
Another wonderful butterfly! really gorgeous! Great capture..
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Cristian-M In reply to SteelCowboy [2008-12-08 14:47:46 +0000 UTC]
Thanks for the and the kind comments!
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XamKcirf [2008-10-30 23:24:49 +0000 UTC]
just perfect... wish i could have the chance tpo take a shot like this too... with grest light and the butterfly
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2dazed [2008-07-27 20:32:15 +0000 UTC]
What a beautiful image! It captures what it is to be a butterfly.
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SheepishLee [2008-07-25 23:02:36 +0000 UTC]
This is amazing! I love how clear all your pics are! Continue the good work
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Cristian-M In reply to arthas13 [2008-07-25 14:02:39 +0000 UTC]
Thanks!
This image was taken with a Canon 20D, now I use a Canon 40D. More important than the camera is the lens: I work with a Sigma 105 mm Macro.
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kyphoscoliosis [2008-07-24 17:04:27 +0000 UTC]
The way the light reflects off of its scales is almost celestial :3 Gorgeous!
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Cristian-M In reply to kyphoscoliosis [2008-07-29 21:48:21 +0000 UTC]
And I hesitated to post this image, because it's not sharp enough...
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kyphoscoliosis In reply to Cristian-M [2008-07-30 20:57:42 +0000 UTC]
Not sharp enough?! Are you kidding? I can see every scale !
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Cristian-M In reply to kyphoscoliosis [2008-07-30 21:10:54 +0000 UTC]
I looked again at the image and I'm still not happy with it...
I can't believe it got 51 s!
It's true that beauty is in the eyes of the beerholder...
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kyphoscoliosis In reply to Cristian-M [2008-07-31 17:22:02 +0000 UTC]
LULZ that's my phrase XD
I can believe it got 51 s, it's beautiful :3
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