What is the most common butterfly in Illinois?
What is the most common butterfly in Illinois?
Blues, Hairtreaks and Coppers The Eastern Tailed-blue and Azures are the most common of the Illinois blue butterflies. Mostly because their larvae have flexible diets of common plants such as peas. The picture shows a Summer Azure. Both species are fairly easy to identify by the chevron markings on the wings.
What types of butterflies are in Illinois?
Illinois Butterflies – Common Species
- 1 Skippers Family Hesperiidae.
- 3 Gossamer-winged Butterflies Family Lycaenidae.
- 17 Brush-footed Butterflies Family Nymphalidae.
- 2 Swallowtails and Parnassians Family Papilionidae.
- 3 Whites, Yellows, and Sulphurs Family Pieridae.
What is the host plant for tiger swallowtails?
Common host plants include tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) and wild black cherry (Prunus serotina) and sweet bay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana). The nearly identical looking western swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) feeds on cottonwoods, aspens and others. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillars are amazing animals.
How many butterflies are in Illinois?
Approximately 2,000 species of butterflies and moths, members of the insect Order Lepidoptera, are found in Illinois. Of this number, 150 species are butterflies and 1,850 species are moths.
Are tiger swallowtail butterflies rare?
The Appalachian tiger swallowtail butterfly is a rare breed: Some 100,000 years ago, two different species mated and their hybrid offspring gave rise to the Appalachian species, researchers have found. “Hybrid speciation is more common in plants, but there are very few cases in animals.”
What plants attract swallowtail butterflies?
The host plants of the Black Swallowtail butterfly include such plants as carrots, parsley, dill, fennel, Queen Anne’s Lace and rue. The Anise Swallowtail caterpillar feeds on anise as well and reportedly citrus plants also.
Where are swallowtail butterflies found?
Swallowtail butterflies are found on all continents, except Antarctica. Most species are found in warm, tropical climates. Swallowtail butterflies get their name from the tail-like extension on the hindwings of many species in this family.
What does it mean when a butterfly lands on you?
A butterfly landing on you is a spiritual sign that represents you are in a season of transformation, growth, spiritual pursuits, and discovering your truth and inner wisdom. You are going through a deep internal change, even if you don’t realize it.
How many butterflies are there in Illinois?
Illinois Fun fact: Illinois butterflies constitute less than ten percent of the total Illinois Lepidoptera population. Of the approximately 2000 butterfly and moth species in the state, about 150 of them are butterflies. One of the, the very popular Monarch Butterfly, pictured, is the state’s official state butterfly.
Are fritillary butterflies good pollinators?
Fritillary: A Pretty Butterfly and a Good Pollinator. The adults, on the other hand are thirsty for nectar of many native flowers, such as mints, butterfly weed, common milkweed, Joe-pye-weed and others; but they do not hesitate to visit some non-native flowers such as lilacs, butterfly bush and some thistles.
What do blue butterflies eat in Illinois?
The Eastern Tailed-blue and Azures are the most common of the Illinois blue butterflies. Mostly because their larvae have flexible diets of common plants such as peas. The picture shows a Summer Azure. Both species are fairly easy to identify by the chevron markings on the wings.
Are fritillaries and monarch butterflies the same?
People who are not very familiar with butterflies frequently mistake fritillaries for their more famous distant cousins the monarch butterflies. Most are orange and black like the monarchs, but with a different pattern and some are about the same size.