Now wouldn't ya know it.....
....grabbed my insect field guide and opened right to it!!
The answer is....NO it's definately not a Monarch.
Here is what it is:
Gulf Fritallary (Argaulis vanillae)
Description: Wingspan 2 1/2-3 1/8" (65-80mm). Fore wings almost twice as long as wide. Wings above bronish orange(male) or brownish (female) with 3 swpots on fore pair,numberious black markings on both pairs. Hind wings below have brilliant metallic silver spots. Caterpillar, to 2" (50mm), is yellowish to greenish brown with brown to orange stripes, 6 rows of branching spines on it's body, and 2 longer backward curving horns on it's head.
Habitat: Tropical Forests and adjacent open areas.
Range: South United States along the Gulf coast, from the Atlantic to the pacific coasts, rarely straying northward.
Food: Caterpillar eats passion flower foliage.
Flight: Spring-Fall; throughout the year in Florida.
More Info: Beacuse caterpillars eat passion flower foliage, both the Caterpillars and butterflies contain poisonous chemical, and their predators soon learn to leave them alone.
*** In case you guys haven't noticed....I have a Field Guide for about anything in nature! I have a slew of ref books!!! ***
I've probably gotten this wrong but I think it's a Monarch Butterfly.
Shot with a 70-200 and 1.4TC.
Ian
He's cute......could you please send that little guy over to my place......I got just the right sized plants to sustain such beautiful butterflies now all that's missing is them laying the eggs to start the cycle.
Comments
Eric
It's better to be hated for who you are than to be loved for who you're not.
http://photosbyeric.smugmug.com
....grabbed my insect field guide and opened right to it!!
The answer is....NO it's definately not a Monarch.
Here is what it is:
Gulf Fritallary (Argaulis vanillae)
Description:
Wingspan 2 1/2-3 1/8" (65-80mm).
Fore wings almost twice as long as wide.
Wings above bronish orange(male) or brownish (female) with 3 swpots on fore pair,numberious black markings on both pairs. Hind wings below have brilliant metallic silver spots.
Caterpillar, to 2" (50mm), is yellowish to greenish brown with brown to orange stripes, 6 rows of branching spines on it's body, and 2 longer backward curving horns on it's head.
Habitat:
Tropical Forests and adjacent open areas.
Range:
South United States along the Gulf coast, from the Atlantic to the pacific coasts, rarely straying northward.
Food:
Caterpillar eats passion flower foliage.
Flight:
Spring-Fall; throughout the year in Florida.
More Info:
Beacuse caterpillars eat passion flower foliage, both the Caterpillars and butterflies contain poisonous chemical, and their predators soon learn to leave them alone.
*** In case you guys haven't noticed....I have a Field Guide for about anything in nature! I have a slew of ref books!!!
Manfrotto Mono | Bag- LowePro Slingshot 100AW
http://www.graphyfotoz.smugmug.com/
NP Dude!
Manfrotto Mono | Bag- LowePro Slingshot 100AW
http://www.graphyfotoz.smugmug.com/
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He's cute......could you please send that little guy over to my place......I got just the right sized plants to sustain such beautiful butterflies now
Skippy (Australia)
Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"
ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/
:skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin