Unique papilio polyxenes

[mothman55]

Yesterday while watching the lilacs for female Papilio canadensis north of Toronto, I got this interesting female polyxenes. It was the only one of this species I saw in amongst numerous P. canadensis, and in fact I see very few polyxenes in this area (Coe Hill, Ontario). Note the orange spots on the dorsal hindwings, certainly not typical, at least not around

DSCF7688.JPG (608.14 KiB) Viewed 458 times

here.

[kevinkk]

I had to look at the polyxenes I raised a few years ago from Ohio stock. Your butterfly has more orange, my specimens have smaller orange eyespots and no orange on the border.

[Trehopr1]

That's quite an incredible capture of a VERY unique female.

I have never seen anything quite like that in all my life !

[Chuck]

This "orange form" does pop up now and then. I'm guessing maybe 1 in 1000? I don't know what causes it, but they fly with normal polyxenes, so I'm guessing it's not environmental.