Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) (2 color forms)

[Trehopr1]

Our Pipevine Swallowtail is widespread across our
Eastern seaboard states and in some places it can
be downright "dirt" common at certain times. A
localised subspecies is even present in California.

One suble observance which I took notice of when
I hit upon a significant brood "hatch" some years ago
was that not all of the males looked quite the same.

Males do frequent mud puddles (when available) to
imbibe nutrient salts along with a cool drink. So, it
was here that I noticed whilst many appeared as a
metallic "shimmering" blue; a few (here and there)
seemed to have a "gun-metal" bluish-green sheen.

So, for your viewing pleasure I present the 2 color
forms which one may find present in B. philenor (males).

A subtle, yet discernible diffrence in a species which
deserves closer scrutiny when numbers are plentiful.

[Paul K]

I wish I could say the same “dirt common” here.
It is quite rare and only inhabits very southern areas of Ontario. I only collected here one female near Long Point peninsula.

[eurytides]

I have noticed the same in my specimens. The scales will have some variation in structure which affects what wavelengths we see. Same is true for Papilio troilus. They range from blue-green to light blue.

[58chevy]

I have collected this species for years and never noticed the color difference. Time to re-examine my specimens (and maybe my head).