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
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, Hemaris diffinis
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 3 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 3 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 3 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
Monarch Butterfly on Rough Blazing Star
Danaus plexippus. Barrington, IL • Image by Jim Bodkin.
Monarch Butterfly on Tickseed Sunflower
Golden Northern Bumblebee
Bombus fervidus, observed on Citizens for Conservation property. Image by Stephen Barten
Bumblebee on Wood Betony
Bombus sp. on Pedicularis canadensis. Image by Stephen Barten
Widow Skimmer Dragonflies
Libellula luctuosa. Image by Stephen Barten
Common Eastern Bumblebees on a Coneflower
Bombus impatiens on Echinacea purpurea. Image by Stephen Barten.
Eastern Pondhawk Dragonfly
Erythemis simplicicollis. Image by Stephen Barten
Ruby "Stickpin"
Ruby meadowhawk dragonfly (Sympetrum rubicundulum). Image by Donna Bolzman
Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)
In Spanish, the species name, luctuosa, means mournful. Perhaps this is because the wings of both males and females seem to be draped in mourning crepe. Image by Donna Bolzman
Great Spangled Fritillary
Speyeria cybele, on a Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea pallida. 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
Honeybee on Spiderwort
Apis mellifera on Tradescantia bracteata. Image by Stephen Barten
Honeybee Dogfight on Prairie Dock
Bees: Apis sp.; Prairie Dock: Silphium terebinthinaceum. Image by Stephen Barten
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
