Thematic Butterflies and Moths

**ramseybuckeye** · 07-07-2010, 11:16 PM

Butterflies and Moths as a subject. It's funny how they will sometimes stand still for you, and other times they barely land, Let's see what you've got.

I'll start the thread with an odd looking moth my wife found a couple weeks ago.
Name: Moth20100624_0010.jpg
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Name: Moth20100624_0010.jpg
Views: 5062
Size: 83.5 KB

Adam · 07-08-2010, 03:58 AM - **2 Likes**

Here's one perched on a twig

**Tamia** · 07-08-2010, 04:28 AM

Good idea, Tom. I don't know the ID of this pretty butterfly:

ottersden · 07-08-2010, 05:22 AM

Here is one I shot at the White River Gardens in Indianapolis.

Attached Images

photolady95 · 07-08-2010, 06:38 AM - **1 Like**

Cool idea Tom. Thanks.

Here's a few from me taken this summer in my backyard.

Gulf Fritillary

Monarch

Eastern Yellow Swallowtail:

Hope you all enjoy!!

**ramseybuckeye** · 07-08-2010, 06:42 AM

Originally posted by Adam

Here's one perched on a twig

Very nice Adam, is that one that is has different colors on the bottom of the wings? The background is very complentary.

Originally posted by Tamia

Good idea, Tom. I don't know the ID of this pretty butterfly:

I can probably ID one kind of butterfly, maybe we'll get an expert to check in and ID them for us. It's a great shot, the water beads are a nice bonus!

Originally posted by ottersden

Here is one I shot at the White River Gardens in Indianapolis.

Very pretty shot with the background and foreground. Looks like he's posing for you.

**ramseybuckeye** · 07-08-2010, 06:48 AM

Originally posted by photolady

Here's a few from me taken this summer in my backyard.

Well done Mar, you may be our expert, if you can ID butterflies as well as you photograph them we'll have no trouble. The monarch is the one I can identify!

**ramseybuckeye** · 07-08-2010, 06:51 AM

This was taken on a trail in Yellowstone.
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photolady95 · 07-08-2010, 07:53 AM

Tom, I cheat. I have two sites that help me identify butterflies and moths. I checked both of my sites but can't find a name for your first moth and your last butterfly. Neither can I ID Tamia's. Although, I think her butterfly is actually a moth.

Also, butterflies in gardens/zoos, can come from anywhere in the world, making it doubly hard to identify them.

**ramseybuckeye** · 07-08-2010, 08:06 AM

Originally posted by photolady

Tom, I cheat. I have two sites that help me identify butterflies and moths. I checked both of my sites but can't find a name for your first moth and your last butterfly. Neither can I ID Tamia's. Althouh, I think her butterfly is actually a moth.

Also, butterflies in gardens/zoos, can come from anywhere in the world, making it doubly hard to identify them.

Doing research and using knowledge isn't cheating in my book! It's being smart.

CGottfried · 07-08-2010, 10:02 AM

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

This was taken on a trail in Yellowstone.
Attachment 65888

It's a mourning cloak. Around here, in central Pennsylvania, they're among the earliest butterflies one sees in the spring (having overwintered in a crevice, generally).

CGottfried · 07-08-2010, 10:14 AM

My favorite field guide for identifying butterflies is Butterflies through Binoculars: The East, by Jeffrey Glassberg.

And here are a two local butterflies and a moth.

The first is a red admiral, for which we've had a fair number this spring (K20D with the DA 55-300mm).

The second is a hummingbird moth (with translucent wings), a fair-size moth that acts like a hummingbird (fast wingbeat, hover stationary, and sipping nectar) and taken with the *1st D with the A* 200mm macro lens)

The third photo is a tiny butterfly, a gray hairstreak (about the size of a US nickle). I didn't know about the orange "eyes" until I looked at the photo, also taken with the *1st D and the 200mm macro.

**Tamia** · 07-08-2010, 10:54 AM

Originally posted by photolady

Tom, I cheat. I have two sites that help me identify butterflies and moths. I checked both of my sites but can't find a name for your first moth and your last butterfly. Neither can I ID Tamia's. Although, I think her butterfly is actually a moth.

Also, butterflies in gardens/zoos, can come from anywhere in the world, making it doubly hard to identify them.

That's not cheating, it's resourcefulness!

I DID wonder if mine was a butterfly or moth, but those smooth antennae convinced me it was a butterfly. So, I googled and found this site which is aimed at kids, I think, and it has a good chart about the distinctions between the two. Still haven't IDed my critter, though.

PS- Great photos, everyone. Maybe I'll learn some new IDs here.

photolady95 · 07-08-2010, 11:08 AM

I knew there were specific info one needs to consider on researching either species. Fuzzy bodies usually indicate Moth. But there are some Butterflies that have hair on their feet. These are called obviously Brush footed butterflies. But danged if I can distinquish where the brush foots come into play. I guess one would need a stronge macro lens to see the brush-footed part.

CGottfried · 07-08-2010, 11:26 AM

Originally posted by photolady

I knew there were specific info one needs to consider on researching either species. Fuzzy bodies usually indicate Moth. But there are some Butterflies that have hair on their feet. These are called obviously Brush footed butterflies. But danged if I can distinquish where the brush foots come into play. I guess one would need a stronge macro lens to see the brush-footed part.

According to Butterflies through Binoculars, brushfoots are a family that includes everything from fritillaries to monarchs; however, also according to the book, some consider monarchs a separate family.

Also: "Called brushfoots because of the greatly reduced male forelegs." I don't know whether fuzzy legs enter into it.

I find the hairy antenna to be the easiest distinction between moths and butterflies (but not always valid).

07-07-2010, 11:16 PM	#1
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,061	Butterflies and Moths Butterflies and Moths as a subject. It's funny how they will sometimes stand still for you, and other times they barely land, Let's see what you've got. I'll start the thread with an odd looking moth my wife found a couple weeks ago.

07-08-2010, 03:58 AM - 2 Likes	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,166	Here's one perched on a twig Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

07-08-2010, 07:53 AM	#9
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,721	Tom, I cheat. I have two sites that help me identify butterflies and moths. I checked both of my sites but can't find a name for your first moth and your last butterfly. Neither can I ID Tamia's. Although, I think her butterfly is actually a moth. Also, butterflies in gardens/zoos, can come from anywhere in the world, making it doubly hard to identify them. Last edited by photolady95; 07-08-2010 at 10:21 AM.

07-08-2010, 10:14 AM	#12
CGottfried Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: State College, PA Posts: 44	My favorite field guide for identifying butterflies is Butterflies through Binoculars: The East, by Jeffrey Glassberg. And here are a two local butterflies and a moth. The first is a red admiral, for which we've had a fair number this spring (K20D with the DA 55-300mm). The second is a hummingbird moth (with translucent wings), a fair-size moth that acts like a hummingbird (fast wingbeat, hover stationary, and sipping nectar) and taken with the 1st D with the A 200mm macro lens) The third photo is a tiny butterfly, a gray hairstreak (about the size of a US nickle). I didn't know about the orange "eyes" until I looked at the photo, also taken with the *1st D and the 200mm macro. Attached Images

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07-08-2010, 04:28 AM	#3
Tamia Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Here, there, and everywhere. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,384	Good idea, Tom. I don't know the ID of this pretty butterfly:

07-08-2010, 05:22 AM	#4
ottersden New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 10	Here is one I shot at the White River Gardens in Indianapolis. Attached Images

07-08-2010, 06:38 AM - 1 Like	#5
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,721	Cool idea Tom. Thanks. Here's a few from me taken this summer in my backyard. Gulf Fritillary Monarch Eastern Yellow Swallowtail: Hope you all enjoy!!

07-08-2010, 06:42 AM	#6
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,061 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam Here's one perched on a twig Very nice Adam, is that one that is has different colors on the bottom of the wings? The background is very complentary. Originally posted by Tamia Good idea, Tom. I don't know the ID of this pretty butterfly: I can probably ID one kind of butterfly, maybe we'll get an expert to check in and ID them for us. It's a great shot, the water beads are a nice bonus! Originally posted by ottersden Here is one I shot at the White River Gardens in Indianapolis. Very pretty shot with the background and foreground. Looks like he's posing for you.

07-08-2010, 06:48 AM	#7
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,061 Original Poster	Originally posted by photolady Here's a few from me taken this summer in my backyard. Well done Mar, you may be our expert, if you can ID butterflies as well as you photograph them we'll have no trouble. The monarch is the one I can identify!

07-08-2010, 06:51 AM	#8
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,061 Original Poster	This was taken on a trail in Yellowstone.

07-08-2010, 08:06 AM	#10
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,061 Original Poster	Originally posted by photolady Tom, I cheat. I have two sites that help me identify butterflies and moths. I checked both of my sites but can't find a name for your first moth and your last butterfly. Neither can I ID Tamia's. Althouh, I think her butterfly is actually a moth. Also, butterflies in gardens/zoos, can come from anywhere in the world, making it doubly hard to identify them. Doing research and using knowledge isn't cheating in my book! It's being smart.

07-08-2010, 10:02 AM	#11
CGottfried Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: State College, PA Posts: 44	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye This was taken on a trail in Yellowstone. Attachment 65888 It's a mourning cloak. Around here, in central Pennsylvania, they're among the earliest butterflies one sees in the spring (having overwintered in a crevice, generally).

07-08-2010, 10:54 AM	#13
Tamia Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Here, there, and everywhere. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,384	Originally posted by photolady Tom, I cheat. I have two sites that help me identify butterflies and moths. I checked both of my sites but can't find a name for your first moth and your last butterfly. Neither can I ID Tamia's. Although, I think her butterfly is actually a moth. Also, butterflies in gardens/zoos, can come from anywhere in the world, making it doubly hard to identify them. That's not cheating, it's resourcefulness! I DID wonder if mine was a butterfly or moth, but those smooth antennae convinced me it was a butterfly. So, I googled and found this site which is aimed at kids, I think, and it has a good chart about the distinctions between the two. Still haven't IDed my critter, though. PS- Great photos, everyone. Maybe I'll learn some new IDs here.

07-08-2010, 11:08 AM	#14
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,721	I knew there were specific info one needs to consider on researching either species. Fuzzy bodies usually indicate Moth. But there are some Butterflies that have hair on their feet. These are called obviously Brush footed butterflies. But danged if I can distinquish where the brush foots come into play. I guess one would need a stronge macro lens to see the brush-footed part.

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07-08-2010, 11:26 AM	#15
CGottfried Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: State College, PA Posts: 44	Originally posted by photolady I knew there were specific info one needs to consider on researching either species. Fuzzy bodies usually indicate Moth. But there are some Butterflies that have hair on their feet. These are called obviously Brush footed butterflies. But danged if I can distinquish where the brush foots come into play. I guess one would need a stronge macro lens to see the brush-footed part. According to Butterflies through Binoculars, brushfoots are a family that includes everything from fritillaries to monarchs; however, also according to the book, some consider monarchs a separate family. Also: "Called brushfoots because of the greatly reduced male forelegs." I don't know whether fuzzy legs enter into it. I find the hairy antenna to be the easiest distinction between moths and butterflies (but not always valid).