Midnight Bloom

Note from the Photographer

The Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor), first identified by Linnaeus in 1771, is a swallowtail butterfly found across North America and Central America, instantly recognizable by its dramatic black wings and breathtaking iridescent blue hindwings. Its genus name Battus references the founder of the ancient Greek colony of Cyrenaica, while philenor derives from the Greek meaning "fond of husband." The underside of its hindwing reveals a stunning submarginal row of seven round orange spots set against a brilliant iridescent blue field, a living jewel engineered by nature. Remarkably, its toxic diet of Pipevine plants makes it unpalatable to predators, and several other butterfly species have evolved to mimic its striking coloring as a shield of protection.