For some reason, it's been a rather poor year for butterflies and moths here in East Tennessee. Perhaps the unusually cold winter killed more pupae than usual? In any case, I've been working a bit harder than usual seeking out some of these "winged wonders" in the Northeast Tennessee hills.
Let's start with the moths. Here's a nice "surprise" moth. Io moths perch by day, close against a tree trunk, with their wings folded. Their forewings are fine camouflage. But, when startled, the moth moves the forewings to expose giant eye-spots on their hind wings. This gives the moth a moment to escape from the suddenly surprised potential predator.
And another moth that really blends in... Luna Moths might stand out when out of their normal habitat.
But look how well they disappear into the green summer forests...
How to tell moths from butterflies? Best method is to check antennas. Butterflies have a knob or a little hook at the end of their antennas. Moth antennas are either feathery or "stringy," but are not clubbed at the end. Most folks seeing this moth think it's a butterfly, or maybe a tiny hummingbird! But clearwing moths are indeed true moths. They are active by day, and they hover like hummingbirds. This one was enjoying some Basil Balm nectar.
This Silver-Spotted Skipper was also working the Basil Balm flowers. Notice the odd yellow objects on his feet....
Those are pollen packets, picked up at a nearby Milkweed flower.
Speaking of milkweed, here's a Great Spangled Fritillary working the abundant Common Milkweed flowers.
And a female Tiger Swallowtail also busy at the Common Milkweeds. You can tell it's a "she," not "he," by the large area of blue on the hindwings.
This rather tattered male Tiger Swallowtail has found another member of the milkweed family - Butterflyweed, also called Butterfly Milkweed.
It looks like Pipevine Swallowtails also enjoy Butterflyweed.
Although it's been a poor year for adult butterflies, we're seeing a good crop of the young'uns. Plenty of caterpillars this year should mean plenty of butterflies next year. Here's a Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar, just about ready to form its chrysalis. Those eye-like spots and orange fuzzy "tongues" are part of their design for surprising predators.
Hope you enjoyed this view of some common East Tennessee butterflies & moths. Thanks for any comments & critique!
Post #1 by mole
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