Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Spicebush Swallowtail

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) is a large butterfly both native and common to the eastern portions of North America. Its preferred... more

by Morris Finkelstein

Title

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Spicebush Swallowtail

Artist

Morris Finkelstein

Medium

Photograph

Description

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) is a large butterfly both native and common to the eastern portions of North America. Its preferred habitats include woodlands, rivers, creeks, parks, and gardens. It has several natural host plants. Eastern Tiger Swallowtails prefer to collect the nectar of pink and red flowers. They measure about 3.1 to 5.5 inches in wingspan, and the male has 4 black tiger stripes on each forewing.

The Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) is found in the eastern United States from New England and southern Ontario in the north to Florida and Texas in the south. Its name is derived from its common host plant, the spicebush. It has a wingspan of about 4 inches. The upper surfaces of the wings are black-brown with a border of cream-yellow spots along the outer edge of the wings, and light blue spots on the middle portion of the wings. Spicebush Swallowtails feed on the nectar of many flowers.

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and the Spicebush Swallowtail collecting nectar from Swamp Milkweed wildflowers were photographed at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, in St. Charles County, Missouri on 8-10-2020. I used a Nikon D850 camera body and a Nikon 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens to capture this image. Settings: 1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 1100. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is a perennial plant native to North America. It grows in moist soils and is known for its pink flowers which attract butterflies and pollinators with its nectar.

The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area was acquired by the State of Missouri from the federal government in the late 1940's. This 7000-acre area was used during World War 2 for production and storage of TNT and DNT, and during the 1960's for the processing of Uranium ore. Subsequently, the large property was thoroughly decontaminated, and then used as a wildlife conservation area.

I am honored that my photograph was featured in the Fine Art America groups:
Visions Of Spring - Glances Of Summer, 8-13-2020
Bugs Bugs And More Bugs, 8-13-2020
Macro Marvels, 8-14-2020
Midwest America Photography, 10-3-2020
Art District, 7-11-2021
USA Photographers Only, 7-12-2021
Four Seasons, 7-13-2021
Just Perfect, 7-20-2021
Wonder Of Wings, 12-8-2022
10 Plus, 12-8-2022
Your Very Best Photography, 12-13-2022

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Uploaded

August 12th, 2020