What kind of butterflies? (1 Viewer)

[lvn600]

These butterflies were in New Hampshire U.S.A. I don't know much about butterflies.They look like Swallowtails we get in Connecticut but seemed smaller.-What kind are they and why are there so many of them?-What would they be eating in this sandy soil?-thanks-

 

[harry eales]

These butterflies were in New Hampshire U.S.A. I don't know much about butterflies.They look like Swallowtails we get in Connecticut but seemed smaller.-What kind are they and why are there so many of them?-What would they be eating in this sandy soil?-thanks-

Hello Ivan,

They are Swallowtails, but as to which species you'll have to ask one of your fellow Americans.

It's likely they are seeking moisture (dew)? Sometimes great numbers of butterflies can be seen on damp ground sucking up the fluids present, and sometimes on animal urine to get salts. In the UK this is generally called 'puddling'. Your dog, horse or cattle didn't take a 'leak' on that grass by any chance?

If your area has sandy soil there it is unlikely there will be natural water puddles or surface seepage, so butterflies will take the moisture wherever they can find it. Many butterflies have very peculiar feeding habits.

Harry

 

[lvn600]

There was a lot of moose in the area so maybe the moose left behind a gift for them.

 

[Accipiter]

looks like eastern tiger swallowtails

 

[Sue Wright]

Hi Harry,

Whilst on the topic of what dogs give out (!!) why would I have found (and photographed if you want to see it) a Comma on dog's poo last autumn, any ideas please? I've pondered over that every time I see it.

Thanks for causing the topic to come up lvn.

Sue

 

[KC Foggin]

Wow! I have never seen this many Eastern Tiger Swallowtails at one time. I would have been doing the happy dance had I come across something like this. Nice catch Larry.