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My first giant swallowtail of the season, it probably emerged from its chrysalis today. Each wing was perfect, no chips, scratches, or bird bites. Its colors were so deep and gorgeously fresh. As long as I stood still in the shade of a buckthorn, it remained unwary and went about its mud-puddling in full sunshine, allowing me full-photo opportunities. For a giant swallowtail, this individual was not particularly large, being the case for the generation that pupates through the winter. Nevertheless, it made for an impressive sight, considering the species is North America’s largest butterfly. Females have a maximum forewing span of 7.5 inches (average 5.8 inches), males with a maximum of 7 inches (average 5.6 inches). The larval food plants are limited to the citrus family, Rutaceae. In Michigan the choices are two: prickly ash Xanthoxylum americanum, a shrub, and wafer ash Ptelea trifoliata which sometimes achieves small-tree size. My experiences with the larvae have been on wafer ash in Lenawee County, Michigan, and at Point Pelee, Ontario. I once raised a caterpillar through its last two instars on wafer ash. It successfully emerged from its chrysalis in August. Alan

Alan Ryff

Amateur photographer

http:////www.flickr.com/photos/glynsellors/

Glyn Sellors

Amateur photographer

http:////www.flickr.com/photos/glynsellors/

Glyn Sellors

Amateur photographer

http://www.glynsellorsphotography.com

Glyn Sellors

Amateur photographer

www.flickr.com/photos/snow-shadow/
From the porch we watched sparkles of morning light dance endlessly on the rippling river. The pace of leafing out had quickened. But the walnuts, oaks and hickories still lagged behind the maples and basswood trees. Our first tiger swallowtail of the season flew to the blooming redbud standing next to us. For a few long moments the butterfly shared with us flowers of pastel pink in the soft morning sunshine. Alan

Alan Ryff

Amateur photographer

Blog

Mark Hows

Amateur photographer
http://www.hows.org.uk/inter/birds/birds.htm
Interested in all wildlife particularly Mammals and Non native species.

http://www.glynsellorsphotography.com

Glyn Sellors

Amateur photographer

Blog

Mark Hows

Amateur photographer
http://www.hows.org.uk/inter/birds/birds.htm
Interested in all wildlife particularly Mammals and Non native species.

Blog

Mark Hows

Amateur photographer
http://www.hows.org.uk/inter/birds/birds.htm
Interested in all wildlife particularly Mammals and Non native species.

Blog

Mark Hows

Amateur photographer
http://www.hows.org.uk/inter/birds/birds.htm
Interested in all wildlife particularly Mammals and Non native species.

http:////www.flickr.com/photos/glynsellors/

Glyn Sellors

Amateur photographer