Black Swallowtail

[eyeguy 54]

fun in the yard today

[Tom Sawyer]

Are you sure that is a Black Swallowtail? Very nice.

[eyeguy 54]

female,  but I am no expert. 

 

maybe a spicebush swallowtail>?

 

[Rick G]

Very cool

[Tom Sawyer]

female,  but I am no expert. 

 

maybe a spicebush swallowtail>?

 

 I would consider myself at least, "knowledgeable" about the butterfly world. Intrigued by insects at an early age, through college, and continue today. Although researching on the net is so easy, anyone can become enlightened by a click or two, instead of sifting through books.     

You may find this interesting....... Both of these girls posed in one of my labs (gardens) the other day, and believe it or not, both are female Eastern Tiger Swallowtails. Ready to burst with eggs too. Strange, but the female of this specie can turn out dark phased, or light phased similar to the male. The difference from a male is the pronounced blue coloration on her front underwing. The last picture is of a male. 

[eyeguy 54]

so is it a spicebush or tiger or black or too hard to tell? 

here is a spicebush from wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilio_troilus#/media/File:Spicebush02.jpg

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Please don't take my post as being critical, I never intended it that way. The fact is, your post only opened the door to teach a interesting part of the natural world. The different color phases of the female Tiger Swallowtail is one of many quirks in nature.  

I would say your photo is of a female Tiger Swallowtail. Spicebush and their sub species, along with the Black Swallowtail have more pronounced spotting on wing edges compared to the female Tiger. Pictured below is Spicebush and Black Swallowtail.

Again, no offence and I'm sorry if anyone may have taken my post the wrong way.

Great shot, of a perfect specimen Royce.

 

[eyeguy 54]

you cant BUG me tommy, you know that  .  thx for the info.  you are the pro for bug questions.  sure is tough to see the diff. it makes total sense it would be a tiger with so many around here.