Some insects are fascinating to me. Mostly butterflies and moths, but there are a few others like dragon flies that I like too.

Recently I've begun studying butterflies and moths as a hobby, so I decided to take some pictures and put up some information about them.

I brought some dill and parsley home from my sister's house, and a black swallowtail hatched out and appeared a few days later. Here it is, as a second and third instar caterpillar. What a difference! (Instars are the times between skin moltings, so the third time this species sheds, it changes radically.) The very first stage, which I didn't get a picture of, is dark brown with a white "saddle", looking remarkably like a tiny bird dropping. This is one type of protection from predators.

I found this instar very pretty and striking, but the next one is equally so.

The caterpillar is currently a chrysalis waiting until spring to emerge.

I found a hummingbird clearwing moth recently on my Buddleia Davidi (butterfly bush) and brought it in to photograph it. Please excuse the quality of these photos, they were done with a very cheap, old model digital attached-to-the-computer camera.

       

This is the second time I've ever seen a hummingbird clearwing moth. The first one I saw, many years ago, was a brighter red and greenish colour, and really did look like a cross between a hummingbird and a bee. They're really a moth.

I'll add a nice background and some information and pictures on monarchs soon.

Page created and all photos by Strawberry, Sept 2001