Beautiful Small-eyed Sphinx Moth

Small-eyed Sphinx Moth, near Atlanta, Georgia, May 9, 2016

This Small-eyed Sphinx Moth (Paonias myops) was resting on my vehicle on May 9, 2016 near Atlanta, Georgia.  I have been wanting to post it for some time, but have been happily busy with some other responsibilities.  I found a stick, got the moth to climb onto it, and transferred the moth to an azalea bush before driving away.  Enjoy!

Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar (By: Michele Babcock-Nice)

Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar, Snellville, Georgia, September 4, 2015

This lovely critter was resting on the bricks near my garage when the daily temperatures were just starting to cool, back on September 4, 2015.  On further investigation, I counted 18 of these beautiful Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) caterpillars eating the leaves of a vine-type plant that was growing in the flower bed.

Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly (Retrieved from pbase.com, October 9, 2015)

I hope some of the caterpillars survived to pupate because I did not see anymore of them there after one week.  They may have become dinner for some other creature…  These caterpillars are the type of which I observe most often in my area around Atlanta, Georgia.

Awesome Imperial Moth Caterpillar (By: Michele Babcock-Nice)

Imperial Moth Caterpillar, Snellville, Georgia, September 29, 2015

Enjoy this amazing beauty that was found in my front yard today under a Sweet Gum tree.  It is an Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) caterpillar, and was 3.25 inches long.  (I have also included a photo of what the moth of this caterpillar looks like.)

Imperial Moth (Retrieved from Flickr.com, September 29, 2015)

This critter is from the Giant Silk Moth family, and is the first caterpillar of this moth that I have ever seen in my life!  I am so blessed to have seen such a rare beauty!

Magnificent Pandora Sphinx Moth (By: Michele Babcock-Nice)

Pandora Sphinx Moth, Snellville, Georgia, September 4, 2015

I have been remiss in publishing this for awhile now.  On September 4, there was a beautiful Pandora Sphinx Moth (Eumorpha pandorus) resting on an azalea bush outside my home.  It was quite large, and I expect that it was probably a female.  I photographed it and left it where it was, with my family also viewing and enjoying its beauty.  I have had the pleasure of seeing these moths here in the South, having seen many in past years in North Carolina.  They are truly gorgeous!

Beautiful Polyphemus Moth (By: Michele Babcock-Nice)

Male Polyphemus Moth, Snellville, Georgia, July 5, 2015

About one month ago, while clearing away some of the dead flowers in the flower bed from last year, we located a silk moth cocoon.  We brought it indoors, and I have kept it in a warm, dry place on a shelf with some cards and knick-knacks since then.

Male Polyphemus Moth, Snellville, Georgia, July 5, 2015

Today (July 5, 2015), a beautiful male Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) emerged from the cocoon.  This evening, my son and I let it go in the woods near our home.  He was quite a beauty to behold, and we are so happy to have been able to observe and enjoy him!

October Butterflies in Georgia: Monarchs and Purple (By: Michele Babcock-Nice)

Monarch Butterfly, Snellville, Georgia, October 7, 2014

Yesterday, October 7, 2014, was a real treat for viewing and enjoying butterflies near Atlanta, Georgia.  The past several days have been gorgeous, with just about perfect weather.  Yesterday was one of the most beautiful days of the year, and the butterflies were highly enjoying it as well!

Two Monarch Butterflies, Snellville, Georgia, October 7, 2014

The Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) must be migrating and making their way back to Mexico because there were two on our butterfly bushes yesterday.  One Monarch stayed all day long, and the other was on “lay-over,” only staying for a little while.  They both replenished their energy by drinking the nectar from the Buddleja butterfly bush flowers.

Red-Spotted Purple Butterfly, Snellville, Georgia, October 7, 2014

Also getting re-energized at the Buddleja bush was a Red-Spotted Purple Butterfly (Limenitis arthemis).  I had seen this butterfly (I will assume that it is the same one) a few days ago, but when I went to get my camera and returned to take some pictures, it was already gone.  So, I was delighted to see it again and take my opportunity to photograph it.

Red-Spotted Purple Butterfly at Rest, Snellville, Georgia, October 7, 2014

There were also several Skippers, Sulphurs, and Fritillaries flying about yesterday, as well.  While they were too quick for me to get any pictures of them, it was great to get some photos of the Monarchs and Purple.  It was definitely The Festival of the Butterflies here yesterday! 🙂

 

Tiger and Skippers (By: Michele Babcock-Nice)

Silver-Spotted Skipper, Snellville, Georgia, August 13, 2014

Probably the greatest number of butterflies that I have observed during the entire summer, I have seen in the past couple of days.  There are Tiger Swallowtails, Female Black Form Tiger Swallowtails, Silver-Spotted Skippers, and Orange Skippers flying about.  They all enjoy drinking the nectar from the many garden flowers in our yard.

Tiger Swallowtail, Snellville, Georgia, August 12, 2014

While trying not to become dinner for the prevalent mosquito population, I snapped only a few pictures of the Tiger Swallowtail and two Silver-Spotted Skippers.  At one point while photographing the Tiger, there were three mosquitos on my legs, so I only got a couple of good photos of the butterfly.  Enjoy!

Female Black Form, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly (By: Michele Babcock-Nice)

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Female in Black Form, July 10, 2014, Snellville, Georgia

It has been so hot and dry here in the South this year that plants are withering away and tree roots are reaching toward the earth’s surface for any hint of water.  It has also been noticeably difficult for birds, butterflies, bees, and insects due to the lack of water, as I have seen relatively few of them this summer in comparison to past years.  There has been some rain and a few showers, but the heat dries up the rain and moisture very quickly.

Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly in Black Form on Star Gazer Lily, Snellville, Georgia, July 10, 2014

Due to these conditions, I was happy to see one female Eastern Black Swallowtail Butterfly in black form last week.  She was getting nectar from several Star Gazer Lilies.  It appeared that she had recently hatched from her chrysallis and was still heavy with unlaid eggs.  She was a beauty!

“First Butterfly of the Year Spotted, 2014: Eastern Tailed Blue” (By: Michele Babcock-Nice)

Eastern Tailed Blue, 2007, Retrieved from http://www.proactiveassistance.net on March 12, 2014

On March 11, 2014, I saw the first butterfly of the year of 2014 in my area around Atlanta, Georgia. It was an Eastern tailed blue butterfly, Cupido comyntas.  The outdoor temperature reached at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit; and the butterfly was flittering around, casually, through the air.

Eastern Tailed Blue, 2011, Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Tailed-Blue on March 12, 2014

On the evening of March 10, 2014, having been another warm day, I also saw the first moth of the year, a small, common wood moth.  Both the butterfly and the moth flew right past me, bringing a smile to my face.  Spring has arrived, although the approaching freezing temperatures due to the winter blizzard being experienced in the North will put a damper on the flowering and budding for awhile yet.

“Autumn Painted Lady” (By: Michele Babcock-Nice)

Painted Lady Butterfly, November 6, 2013, Snellville, Georgia

While outside, enjoying the beautiful weather yesterday in my area around Atlanta, Georgia, I pleasantly observed three Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) butterflies flying about the yard.  I was able to photograph one of them by getting a few feet away from it, and not scaring it away.  One of the butterfly’s hind wings was damaged – as seen in the above photo – but that did not appear to hinder its flying abilities.  The temperature in my area was 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and it was a balmy fall afternoon.  I’d say the day was quite enjoyable for the butterflies, too!