Alert icon
We're changing our privacy policy. This stuff matters.  Learn more  Dismiss

Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies Nectaring

Loading...

Sign in or sign up now!
Alert icon
Upgrade to the latest Flash Player for improved playback performance. Upgrade now or more info.
1,328
Loading...
Alert icon
Sign in or sign up now!
Alert icon

Uploaded by on Nov 7, 2007

Some quick, low res footage of Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies (Papilio rutulus) nectaring on Yerba Santa flowers. The butterflies are not so unusual, but the number of them in this one place definitely was!

  • likes, 0 dislikes

Link to this comment:

Share to:

Uploader Comments (jcmegabyte)

  • I saw these while on holiday in California - they look like Scarce swallowtails you get in France, but I think the most lovely swallowtail is the Papilio machaon, the proper only British swallowtail. I did find a larva of it in France this summer though, and reared it through to pupation. Now I have a lovely Papilio machaon in my collection.

  • P. machaon is definitely a nice bug. I've heard that they fly in Canada, too (possibly a subspecies) but there are none further south where I am. Fortunately, we quite a few Swallowtail species here to keep us busy. :-)

  • I don't think I've ever encountered any endangered species, probably because I've never gone to the specific places where they're known to fly. There are several protected species in CA, and some areas where you can't collect anything at all (mostly preserves and National Parks). The rules can be complex. I HAVE gone looking for rare and difficult to find species, however, sometimes with success, and other times not! Thanks for watching my little adventure :D

  • I wanted to see something beautiful today and remembered your nature vids...:)

    I certianly found what I was looking for XD

  • Thanks! I just got back from another desert trip this afternoon. Hopefully there will be some good live footage from today's outing soon! :D

Video Responses

This video is a response to Butterfly Ballet
see all

All Comments (10)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • Very beautiful... 5*. Thank you.

  • Do you ever see endangered species when you are out on your trips?

  • Awesome! I look forward to it. ;D

  • Beautiful!

  • I know what you mean - I have a couple in my collection. Definitely spectacular bugs. You have some pretty cool Swallowtails there - especially in the northern parts of the country. Nature is just amazing :-)

Loading...

Alert icon
0 / 00Unsaved Playlist Return to active list
    1. Your queue is empty. Add videos to your queue using this button:
      or sign in to load a different list.
    Loading...Loading...Saving...
    • Clear all videos from this list
    • Learn more