More Butterfly Pics Needed

thes3raph1m · #51 (**permalink**) 31-10-2007, 03:44 AM

shame... i just this summer removed my budleiagh (i think thats how you spell it... not :P)

i used to have loads of flutterbys in my garden, including at least 5 of the ones you mentioned in your want list

lol, oh well... better luck with my spiders eh!

Linda frost · #52 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 04:26 PM

Hi could anybody please tell me what these two species are please, the butterfly hovers which caught my attention and if the second picture is a caterpiller or not, it hissed at me!!

Thanks

goosey · #53 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 04:30 PM

Hi Linda, the butterfly is possibly a swallowtail Papilio machaon

,

Linda frost · #54 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 04:38 PM

Thanks Goosey

i have wondered for so long, its a beautful butterfly and also loves to have its pic taken

i can do some more research now i have a name thanks again.

GuyF · #55 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 04:45 PM

Hi Linda,
Your butterfly is actually a Scarce Swallowtail. I'm not sure about the caterpillar, but I think it might be a Deaths Head Hawkmoth.
Were these 2 found abroad?
Guy

Linda frost · #56 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 06:26 PM

Thanks GuyF. Yes they were found in our garden in Turkey, i have never seen anything like the Deaths Head Hawkmoth before, its 4inchs long and hissed like a snake when feels it is under threat!! could you please tell me if the Deaths head is harmful? The Swallowtail glides and hovers, such a beauty.Thanks for your promp reply,

Linda frost · #57 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 06:30 PM

Sorry my husband has just had a thought..if that is the size of the caterpiller, what size would the Moth be?

Linda frost · #58 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 06:56 PM

Hi Guy, i have researched on Deaths Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia Atropos) and i cannot seem to find an image of one that matches mine, they also say they clicked, mine definitely hissed just like a snake!! any more thoughts on this please? thanks.

GuyF · #59 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda frost

Hi Guy, i have researched on Deaths Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia Atropos) and i cannot seem to find an image of one that matches mine, they also say they clicked, mine definitely hissed just like a snake!! any more thoughts on this please? thanks.

The adult moths are one of the largest in Europe, they've got a wingspan of around 13cm!
I'm pretty certain that you're caterpillar is a species of Hawkmoth, the 'horn' on the back end is typical of Hawkmoth caterpillars. Caterpillars often change colour just before they pupate, which may explain why it looks different. However, Deaths Head Hawkmoth is just a guess and I'm not really sure which species it is, there are quite a lot of Hawkmoth species in Southern Europe. I will have a look around, but I'm not sure whether I'll be able to give you a definite id!
Guy