Texas Butterfly 
Pipevine Swallowtail
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
The Pipevine Swallowtail is abundant throughout Texas. It frequents gardens and can be found in flower fields and groves of trees. Its caterpillars feed on pipevine, a noxious plant which makes the butterflies taste bad to predators.
Several other species of swallowtail mimic the Pipevine including the Spicebush and Black Swallowtails. The Pipevine stands out from its imitators with a single row of orange circles on the underside and a single row of white spots on the upperside.
The males shine an iridescent blue on the lower upperside while the females are mostly black.
I have had success in attracting Pipevine Swallowtails to my own yard with plumbago, vinca, and zinnia.
Similar species: Black Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail
Texas Butterfly 
This is all very impressive! The detail in the photos is stunning. Maybe even more importantly, just looking at them elicits feelings of peace and calm. Great timing for a beautiful new project.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the kind words and for checking out the website! I need you to tip me off the Monarch migration this fall. I bet I could slip out west for a few days to get some shots and enjoy a visit with friends.
LikeLike
Pingback: Black Swallowtail | Texas Butterfly