Insects

Monarch Butterfly on Rough Blazing Star

Danaus plexippus. Barrington, IL • Image by Jim Bodkin.

Monarchs on Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)

Image by Diane Bodkin.

Viceroy Butterflies, NOT Monarchs!

Limenitis archippus. These Monarch mimics have a horizontal black bar through the caudal wings that the Monarchs lack. These are on Boneset flowers ( Eupatorium perfoliatum). Image by Stephen Barten

Bumblebees on a Coneflower

Bombus sp. on Echinacea purpurea. Image by Stephen Barten.

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth

Hemaris thysbe. This moth is a member of the Sphinx Moth family and is a hummingbird mimic. They hover in front of flowers and feed on the nectar with their long proboscis, like this one is doing on a dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) early spring. Image by Stephen Barten

Snowberry Clearwing

This bumblebee mimic is a member of the Sphinx Moth or Hawk Moth family. An inch long, they collect nectar like bumblebees do. Image by Stephen Barten

1 of 4 Monarch Caterpillar

Danaus plexippus. Monarchs are milkweed specialists. The caterpillars absorb toxic cardenolides from the milkweed sap which makes them distasteful or even toxic to would-be predators like birds. Image by Stephen Barten

2 of 4 Monarch Chrysalis

Danaus plexippus. The lime-green chrysalis (cocoon) of the Monarch Butterfly/caterpillar is unique for this species. It is well camouflaged and almost impossible to spot among the green leaves of the milkweed plant. Image by Stephen Barten

3 of 4 Monarch Chrysalis

Danaus plexippus. The lime-green Monarch chrysalis turns clear just before the adult butterfly emerges. The adult butterfly is visible within. Image by Stephen Barten

4 of 4 Newly Emerged Monarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus. Monarch Butterfly emerged from its chrysalis just an hour before this image was taken. It's resting as its wings stiffen up before its first flight. Image by Stephen Barten

Honeybee on Spiderwort

Apis mellifera on Tradescantia bracteata. Image by Stephen Barten

Bumblebee on Wood Betony

Bombus sp. on Pedicularis canadensis. Image by Stephen Barten

Monarch Butterfly on Tickseed Sunflower

Danaus plexippus. Barrington, IL • Image by Jim Bodkin.

Widow Skimmer Dragonflies

Libellula luctuosa. Image by Stephen Barten

Eastern Pondhawk Dragonfly

Erythemis simplicicollis. Image by Stephen Barten

Red Milkweed Beetles

Tetraopes tetrophthalmus. Image by Stephen Barten

Great Spangled Fritillary

Speyeria cybele, on a Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea pallida. Image by Stephen Barten

Honeybee Dogfight on Prairie Dock

Bees: Apis sp.; Prairie Dock: Silphium terebinthinaceum. Image by Stephen Barten

Bumblebee on Wild Bergamot

Bombus sp. on Monarda fistulosa. Image by Stephen Barten

Viceroy Butterfly on Rattlesnake Master

Limenitis archippus. The Viceroy Butterfly is many times confused with the very similar Monarch Butterfly. • Image by Jim Bodkin.

Bumblebee on Rattlesnake Master

Bombus sp. on Eryngium yuccifolium. Image by Stephen Barten

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth

Hemaris thysbe. They hover in front of flowers, drinking nectar with their long proboscis, and can be mistaken for a hummingbird. Image by Stephen Barten