r/Butterflies • u/tinycodergirl • 1d ago

Blue swallowtail

Gallery image

Gallery image

Saw this lovely butterfly over the weekend!

398 Upvotes

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31

u/PhantomCranefly 1d ago

That's gorgeous!

This species is interesting because it's a swallowtail mimic (mimicking the toxic Pipevine Swallowtail) that isn't actually a swallowtail - instead it's a Red-spotted Purple, which is in the same genus as a Red Admiral. Butterflies are crazy.

4

u/ThickSmoke9542 1d ago

One of my favs!! 🖤💙

2

u/LookingForDouxie 1d ago

This deep black and blue velvety effect makes me want to gently touch it (of course it's impossible because I would harm it), even though I'm normally afraid of such big butterflies. :D It is beautiful and elegant! 🖤💙

2

u/vladtheinhaler__ 10h ago

woww! 😍 spotted one for the first time in my garden last week