Hobbies And Interests
Papilionidae (Swallowtails)
Swallowtails are large butterflies of the Papilionidae family. They often are characterized by tail-like appendages found on their hindwings, even though not all of them have this feature. Although patterns vary, most swallowtails have brightly colored markings on an iridescent dark blue, black or green background. Of the almost 600 Papilionidae butterflies, only about 40 live in the United States. The giant swallowtail is the largest variety found in North America. It has black wings with yellow spots. The tiger swallowtail has bright yellow wings with black stripes while the zebra swallowtail has white and black striped wings. Other commonly found swallowtails include the Eastern black, spicebush and pipevine swallowtails.
Nymphalidae (Brush-Footed)
Brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) is the largest family of butterflies and includes over 6,000 species---200 of which you can find in North America. These butterflies have small front feet, which are used to taste their food rather than for walking. Most brush-footed butterflies have orange colors on their wings, which can make it difficult to differentiate between the different species. Monarch butterflies and its mimic, the viceroy ,are both members of this family. Both have an easily identified orange and black pattern. Fritillaries, checkerspots, painted ladies, green commas, buckeyes, crescents, admirals, emperors and question marks are a just a few members of the Nymphalidae family.
Lycaenidae (Gossamer-Wing)
Gossamer-wing butterflies (Lycaenidae) are smaller than other butterflies. They are also quicker and streaked with bright colors, especially blues. You usually can find Coppers and blues in temperate areas, while hairstreaks reside in the tropics. Male gossamers have reduced forelegs but the females have six fully developed legs. They usually keep their wings closed while resting. There are approximately 100 species of lycaenidae in the United States, including the American copper, the gray hairstreak, the tailed blue and the spring azure.
Pieridae (Sulphur and White)
Members of the pieridae are typically identified by their color. Whites are obviously white while sulphurs are yellow. Most of the pieridae are either white or yellow, although some have black or orange markings. They also have six full-sized legs, not shortened front legs like some other butterflies. Around the world, you can find approximately 1,100 members of this butterfly family, but you'll find only 75 varieties in North America, including the cabbage white, checkered white, orange sulphur and clouded sulphur. Dogfaces, marbles, orangetips and yellows are also members of this family.
Hesperiidae (Skippers)
Skippers (Hesperiidae) are small butterflies with large eyes and hooked antennae. They have thicker thoraxes---the part between the head and abdomen---than other butterflies. Their name comes from their flying, which they do in quick "skipping" motions from flower to flower. Most skippers are drab colors such as brown or gray with white or orange markings. Other common names for skippers include longtails, cloudywings, sootywings and skipperlings. In North America less than 300 of the 3,500 varieties of skippers reside, including the common checkered skipper and the silver spotted skipper