Western Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio Rutulus

Day 263: Watching my Philadelphus (Mock Orange) be denuded of it blossoms over the last several days has given me a different perspective on butterflies. Perhaps the petals were ready to fall and only needed a slight nudge from a proboscis, but you'd think they were shredding them off one by one if you let observation guide you.

Picture this: Swallowtail lands on a flower, wings fluttering, legs waving as the insect attempts to gain a purchase. Once secured, the butterfly seems to burrow into the flower with some vehemence; jabbing, wriggling, flapping its wings vigorously. Suddenly, a shower of petals results, and Papilio rutulus dines with ease at the banquet of exposed stamens. Done, it moves on to the next flower and the process repeats, each time with a snowfall of Philadelphus petals.

While this wouldn't be particularly noticeable if one or two butterflies were at work, in the case of my 20' tall tree, thirty or more may be attacking flowers at the same time. Only a few petals drop from untouched blooms, as opposed to the hundreds dislodged by hungry flutterers. During the heat of the day, activity is somewhat limited, but when the first shadows touch the tree in the evening and its fragrance fills the neighbourhood, it seems to be abloom with yellow and black trembling flowers. Most have marked bird damage to their wings, but I was able to capture one perfect Papilio rutulus among the dozens ravaging the poor Philadelphus for breakfast.