Post by trehopr1 on Aug 20, 2021 12:50:55 GMT -8
Last weekend I hit upon a "golden" moment.
I went to a field which I've well known for years.
It also happens to be the farthest flung field I visit
within "reasonable" distance of my home. Reasonable meaning
an hour drive to our western counties bordering the Mississippi
river.
It is here, where I stand the greatest chance of encountering
North America's largest swallowtail species AND easily THE most
difficult species to encounter/find in our state. That species
being the Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes).
Of the 6 papilionid species present here in Illinois the Giant
has for me ALWAYS remained an enigma of sorts... When I have
encountered them I have found them only as singular individuals.
So, you better not miss! Seemingly, unlike all the other species
available to me I've never yet encountered a field hosting "several"
individuals at once.
In going to this haunt which I know harbors them "potentially"; I
risk a long drive to possibly find my favorite spot mowed for its
alfalfa/clover. It's happened before and I have not as yet discovered
any potential secondary sites nearby. So, I flip the coin and dash
there a couple times a summer with hopes...
Anyway, upon my arrival I was greeted by at least 4 yellow Tiger
swallowtails (Papilio glaucus) pollinating in the field -- which
was still uplifting. After investigating those one by one I took
pause to catch my breath and wipe my brow and whilst standing there
on a humid afternoon I scanned the field and something caught my eye
at distance to my far right.
I walking toward the object of my attention and realized I truly
had a P. cresphontes in my sights pollinating clover. I could see
it was a female as they are SO much browner than their male counter-
parts. With "baited" breath and a lump in my throat I stealthily
approached her half expecting her to take off in a heartbeat. These
can be flighty and nervous at times...
Well, with a bit of luck and a "gentle" sweep I secured this prize
of a species -- without knocking off a tail !
Here she is below, and she would be the only one encountered that visit.
However, the real "kicker" to this tale regards the size of
my newly captured "queen" of personal captures. To date,
my largest "personal best" for the species was an impressive
11.3cm wingspan specimen caught about 4 years back.
She on the other hand measure a full 11.7cm and is quite
broad in wing area. A true best for size...
The species here, feeds on prickly ash which is much unlike
all those Floridian citrus loving examples.
I don't know if any of you have any personal bests (as well)
for this species but, I would welcome any pictures or honest
measurements (in centimeters) of any you may have from
anywhere within the Eastern U.S.
+The specimen should be spread perpendicular to the body
(like mine) for true comparison.
I went to a field which I've well known for years.
It also happens to be the farthest flung field I visit
within "reasonable" distance of my home. Reasonable meaning
an hour drive to our western counties bordering the Mississippi
river.
It is here, where I stand the greatest chance of encountering
North America's largest swallowtail species AND easily THE most
difficult species to encounter/find in our state. That species
being the Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes).
Of the 6 papilionid species present here in Illinois the Giant
has for me ALWAYS remained an enigma of sorts... When I have
encountered them I have found them only as singular individuals.
So, you better not miss! Seemingly, unlike all the other species
available to me I've never yet encountered a field hosting "several"
individuals at once.
In going to this haunt which I know harbors them "potentially"; I
risk a long drive to possibly find my favorite spot mowed for its
alfalfa/clover. It's happened before and I have not as yet discovered
any potential secondary sites nearby. So, I flip the coin and dash
there a couple times a summer with hopes...
Anyway, upon my arrival I was greeted by at least 4 yellow Tiger
swallowtails (Papilio glaucus) pollinating in the field -- which
was still uplifting. After investigating those one by one I took
pause to catch my breath and wipe my brow and whilst standing there
on a humid afternoon I scanned the field and something caught my eye
at distance to my far right.
I walking toward the object of my attention and realized I truly
had a P. cresphontes in my sights pollinating clover. I could see
it was a female as they are SO much browner than their male counter-
parts. With "baited" breath and a lump in my throat I stealthily
approached her half expecting her to take off in a heartbeat. These
can be flighty and nervous at times...
Well, with a bit of luck and a "gentle" sweep I secured this prize
of a species -- without knocking off a tail !
Here she is below, and she would be the only one encountered that visit.
However, the real "kicker" to this tale regards the size of
my newly captured "queen" of personal captures. To date,
my largest "personal best" for the species was an impressive
11.3cm wingspan specimen caught about 4 years back.
She on the other hand measure a full 11.7cm and is quite
broad in wing area. A true best for size...
The species here, feeds on prickly ash which is much unlike
all those Floridian citrus loving examples.
I don't know if any of you have any personal bests (as well)
for this species but, I would welcome any pictures or honest
measurements (in centimeters) of any you may have from
anywhere within the Eastern U.S.
+The specimen should be spread perpendicular to the body
(like mine) for true comparison.
