Appalachian Butterflies (1 Viewer)

S

Sharpbill

Well-known member

• Jun 17, 2019

• #1

I have recently driven up the Blue Ridge Parkway through the Appalachians. I have tried to identify these butterflies but would like confirmations if anyone can help.

1. Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail (uncertain! Based purely on thickness of black forewing bands)
2. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail ( ditto )
3. Eastern Tailed Blue
4. Appalachian Azure (photo'd early June)

Thanks John

 

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  IMG_1121 resized Appalachian Azure.JPG

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S

Sharpbill

Well-known member

• Jun 17, 2019

• #2

And a few more... not really got a clue on these

1. Aphrodite Fritillaries?
2. Aphrodite Fritillary?
3. Black Swallowtail?
4. Unknown?

Cheers John

 

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Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Jun 17, 2019

• #3

1 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, male Papilio glaucus
2 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, female
3 Very confusing, appears to have a tail but the upper wing looks like Greenish Blue to me, Plebejus saepiolus
4 Spring Azure Celastrina ladon?

1-2 in the second lot look to me like Great Spangled Fritillary Speyeria cybele

3 I'd go for female Pipevine Swallowtail Battus philenor

4 Silver-spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus

I'm no expert but I do have the book.

 

Last edited: Jun 17, 2019

J

Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• Jun 17, 2019

• #4

Set 1, photo 3: Worn Eastern Tailed-Blue. (Greenish Blue would be out of range.)
Set 1, photo 4: Celastrina sp. I don't believe these can be reliably distinguished from photos.

Set 2, photo 1: Great Spangled Fritillary
Set 2, photo 2: Aphrodite Fritillary
Set 2, photo 3: not sure based on this photo
Set 2, photo 4: agree with Silver-spotted Skipper

I believe distinguishing Appalachian from Eastern Tiger Swallowtail based on photos is problematic. Would be interested to know what sources you guys are using to attempt this.

 

Last edited: Jun 17, 2019

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Jun 17, 2019

• #5

Jim M. said:

Set 1, photo 3: Worn Eastern Tailed-Blue. (Greenish Blue would be out of range.)
Set 1, photo 4: Celastrina sp. I don't believe these can be reliably distinguished from photos.

Set 2, photo 1: Great Spangled Fritillary
Set 2, photo 2: Aphrodite Fritillary
Set 2, photo 3: not sure based on this photo
Set 2, photo 4: agree with Silver-spotted Skipper

I believe distinguishing Appalachian from Eastern Tiger Swallowtail based on photos is problematic. Would be interested to know what sources you guys are using to attempt this.

Click to expand...

Hi Jim,
all I have is the 1st ed of the Swift guide which doesn't seem to split them anyway but it does mention a 'large' form that occures in the high Appalachians that some treat as a separate species.

With emphasis on 'high', perhaps there's new information about altitudinal ranges in the 2nd ed which is fairly newly out but which I don't have?

Regarding that Eastern Tailed Blue, there should be no line at the cell end in the fore wing which is clearly present on this individual though it clearly, also has a tail.

 

Last edited: Jun 17, 2019

S

Sharpbill

Well-known member

• Jun 17, 2019

• #6

Many thanks Andy, that's very helpful. My further thoughts ...

Silver-spotted Skipper and Great Spangled Fritillary look good.

I don't see any greenish tints on the 'tailed' blue so still wonder about Eastern Tailed Blue

I probably can't sort Appalachian, Spring or Summer Azures on my photos (I am reading the best way to split them is stake out the preferred fod plant).

Shouldn't Pipevine Swallowtail show some blue on the underwing?

Cheers, John

 

S

Sharpbill

Well-known member

• Jun 17, 2019

• #7

Thank you Jim, I hadn't seen your post when I replied to Andy.

I have no book source, I was just comparing images on the internet.

Regards John

 

S

Sharpbill

Well-known member

• Jun 17, 2019

• #8

Jim,
I should have asked, what features do you see that confirm Aphrodite Fritillary (this was my first tentative ID based on web images)

Andy, I was mis-reading your first post regarding 'greenish-blue tint' and Greenish Blue butterfly. My apologies.

 

J

Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• Jun 18, 2019

• #9

John – the small basal spot in the forewing cell eliminates Great Spangled Fritillary, which doesn't show that (compare your other photo). There is another possibility – Atlantis Fritillary. But that would be out of range unless this was taken in Northern Virginia. (I find the eye color, which is supposed to be the best way to distinguish the two, difficult to judge from a photo such as this).

Andy – the second edition of the Swift Guide doesn't treat Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail as a separate species, and has the same remark you mention.

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Jun 18, 2019

• #10

Jim,
I'm curious why you're non commital on the Pipeline Swalowtail, looks spot on for the female to me?