Insects and Flowers

This is a blast from the past.

It's High Summer in Central New York
July 24, 2006

The purple coneflowers are attracting all kinds of insects.

The first one we noticed was the swallowtail.

I think it's an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

It's a little beat up, though.
Look at how long the proboscis is, as it bends it to reach into the flower.

Monarch butterflies are all over the place, but they are more skittery than the swallowtail.

Swallowtails and monarchs are not the only insects that like the coneflower.
This is a Virginia Ctenuchid Moth.

The wings are dull brown, but the body is an amazing iridescent blue.


This little green bug is also iridescent.

And isn't this the cutest little bug.  It likes the zinnia!

It looks a bit like a bee.  It hovers while sipping.

I hadn't noticed this butterfly until today.
I think this is a Meadow Frittilary
or is it a

Silver-Bordered Fritillary?  Aphrodite Fritillary?The bottom side has white spots, but the spots on top are black.

Someone suggested this site:  https://wisconsinbutterflies.org/butterfly/species/65-aphrodite-fritillary

Bumblebees like the coneflower, too.

And they also like the centaurea.
If you look closely, you can see another beetle-type critter, too.



Ah, but if you were wondering how Japanese Beetles do it, here's a picture for you.


Enjoy the summer!


Do you know how to tell the difference between a moth and a butterfly?
Usually, the butterfly antenna is a stick with a ball on the end.
Moth antennae look more like a fish skeleton or a feather.  Check out the pictures.
Now you know.

It is entirely possible that I have made mistakes on this page.
If you have any comments, corrections or suggestions, please let me know.