Category: Ventral Side

  • Spicebush Swallowtail

    Spicebush Swallowtail

    Identifying swallowtail butterflies that are predominately black can be tricky to say the least. Here’s what I go by, and perhaps this will help you too. This is the ventral, or underside, wings up and together side, of a Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus). Take a look at the two rows of orange spots on the…

  • American Lady Butterfly

    American Lady Butterfly

    During the summer while my volunteer White Wood Asters are blooming I can count on seeing bunches of American Lady Butterflies (Vanessa virginiensis) sipping the nectar. I see there are oodles of larvae host plants listed for American Lady Butterflies. Asters are one of the plants listed. Purple Coneflowers will also attract them and make…