The first large butterflies to emerge in Mississippi are Swallowtails. The prominent species to escape from cocoons, (flashing brightly as if sun beams were pirouetting on light breezes) are Eastern Tigers. Here are a few more photos of the beautiful fliers that announce Spring.
Females have the nice extra dash of orange between the tips of their lower wings. The males lack this extra bit of color.
There are Spicebush Swallowtails, with their dark wings and striking blue hues on top, that soon follow. Neither the Tiger or Spicebush migrate but survive winters tucked safely away as chrysalis. The pungent oils of aromatic plants attract the larva then serve as a host and winter habitat.
The males of the Spicebush are like the Tigers in that they lack the orange tabs on the lower wings. The same orange can be found on the females like the Tigers display.
Soon, I will have Zebra Swallowtail. Zebra do not migrate either but will increase their foraging to further afield, breed and deposit eggs. Pawpaw (Asiminia triloba) is a common plant choice for Zebra’s to attach themselves to.
There isn’t a huge variation in the amount of red or orange color between the male and females. It’s all about pheromones when these butterflies congregate into breeding herds.
Attack Gardner made a wonderful offer to provide the Black Swallowtail photos from her October 2018 Daily Bucket. The link below takes you to that diary.
What wasn’t covered in the article is the time of emergence for the Black Swallowtail. They arrive April to early June (when Fritillary usually enter the scene) here in Mississippi.
This butterfly emerged from its chrysalis in early August, 2018, in NY. The 2 shots below show the same butterfly just after it emerged — AG
Here are two of the series of shots AG presented in her diary.
The larva (shown in Attack Gardner’s diary) use host plants commonly cultivated. Dill, Fennel, Parsley, Carrots and Celery have the perfect juicy needs for this insect.
I don’t want to dismiss the early March fliers that emerged from their winter hibernation. So, I’ll repeat some earlier photos of my local residents. As early as February, tiny bits of color pop out to entice the eye and imagination.
There are two very close species that are flitting about. One is Horace’s Duskywing and the other is Juvenal’s Duskywing — Erynnis juvenalis.
Here is a comparison photo showing the similarities and differences. Horace’s have more solid nodes on the end of their antenna and an overall darker appearance. Juvenal’s antenna are more feathery at the tip and the wing shades are lighter. Juvenal’s have a longer (and more rounded) lower wing length and longer abdomen.
I have another entry from my yard. This tiny flier lives among the conifers of my area.
Another look from the side.
The small but colorful Red Admiral flit around here with the splash of red and white marking their aerial paths. They are welcomed incidental pollinators.
These are a few of the current visitors, but there will be more as the season continues.
The Fritillaries will soon arrive. Here’s are some examples.
Attack Gardener and I hope you will share any of your new Spring indicators.