These flowers look awful small to offer much to a butterfly but this one persisted, moving steadily from flower to flower. The lack of leaves on this plant gave me a clear view.
He rotated and showed me every side while he was doing it.
Even upside down!
He easily walked across the tops of the flowers.
And hung off the side.
I believe the plant is Brazilian Vervain (Verbena brasiliensis), a non-native plant that grows wild along roadsides, in disturbed areas, old fields. (NameThatPlant.net, A storehouse of information about native and naturalized plants of the Carolinas and Georgia.)
SO beautiful !!!
Thanks, Liz! It was nice to get all the angles and really see his colors.
These are wonderful Ellen and what an obliging subject!
Thanks, Belinda! I was quite amazed he stayed on that plant for so long, must have been tasty.
These pictures are so beautiful! I love swallowtail butterflies to me they are the kings/queens of butterflies.
Thanks, Greta! They are very regal looking with the fancy color patterns.
That is a stunning butterfly, Ellen! Great shots!
Thanks, Pete. He was a real beauty.
What a great series! Thanks for the info on namethatplant.net I’m always trying to find names for some of the plants I see.
Thanks, Gina! I’ve been wanting to try one of those photo ID apps for the phone, but haven’t gotten around to it!