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Unique papilio polyxenes
Posted: Sat May 25, 2024 6:17 pm
by 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 4110 times
here.
Re: Unique papilio polyxenes
Posted: Sat May 25, 2024 6:24 pm
by 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.
Re: Unique papilio polyxenes
Posted: Sun May 26, 2024 7:54 pm
by Trehopr1
That's quite an incredible capture of a VERY unique female.
I have never seen anything quite like that in all my life !
Re: Unique papilio polyxenes
Posted: Tue May 28, 2024 1:52 pm
by 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.