Tag Archives: Insect

Swallowtail on Statice

I’ve referred to this type of butterfly as a Black Swallowtail before, but have learned it is probably a Palamedes Swallowtail.

Palamedes Swallowtail
Palamedes Swallowtail

Either way, this one put on a nice show for me while he was getting some sustenance from statice growing at the edge of a pond.

Palamedes Swallowtail
Palamedes Swallowtail

I was able to shift a little and get a different background that was all vegetation.

Palamedes Swallowtail
Palamedes Swallowtail

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Green Pond, SC
August 27, 2023

Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly And Prey

An Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly perched on a leaf with a potential Mayfly snack on the underside.

Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly
Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly

A few minutes before I had watched another one of these damselflies chase a Mayfly. They both exhibited serious flying skills and that time the Mayfly prevailed. Here, I wondered if the damselfly knew the Mayfly was there.

Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly
Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly

Francis Beidler Forest, SC
April 7, 2023

Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly, Open And Shut

If you wait long enough an Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly will open and close its wings.

Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly
Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly

Their outsized heads tend to make nice shadows in the right light.

Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly
Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly

Wings closed is their most common position when I have seen them.

Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly
Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly

They do chose some interesting leaves to land on, including this poison ivy.

Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly
Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly

Francis Beidler Forest, SC
March 31, 2023