Nature Photography by Gary D. Tonhouse
Iowa Prairies: 
Splendor in the Grass Photography Exhibit

© Gary D. Tonhouse 1997 - 2011

GIANT SWALLOWTAIL
 Papilio cresphontes Cramer
(Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) 

Wing span: 4-6 ¼ inches (10.2-16cm)
Identification: The forewing has a diagonal band of yellow spots. The tails are edged with black and filled with yellow.
Early stages: Males patrol for receptive females. Females lay single eggs on host leaves and twigs. Caterpillars resemble bird droppings; they are brown with white blotches. Chrysalids hibernate. 
Caterpillar hosts: Herbs and trees of the citrus family (Rutaceae), mainly prickly ash, and hop tree.
Adult food: Nectar from lantana, bougainvilla, bouncing bet, dame’s rocket, goldenrod, azalea, Japanese honeysuckle, and swamp milkweed.
Flight: Two in the north from May-September, and all year in Florida and the Deep South. 
Range: Southern Canada through U.S east of the Rockies, south into Mexico, and southwest into Arizona and California. 
Habitat: Rocky and sandy exposed hillsides, and near streams or gullies in the north; pine flatwoods, and citrus grooves in the south. 
Interesting facts: Citrus growers know this species of swallowtail as the "Orange Dog". It is often considered a citrus pest and is subjected to massive spraying. The Giant, Thoas, and female Tiger Swallowtails are the largest North Americans Butterflies. 

Equipment used to capture this image.
Camera: Nikon F4s 
Lens: Nikon 105mm 2.8 Micro 
Tripod: No tripod was used on this image.
I followed the Swallow Tail for time and finally captured several images.
Film: Fuji Provia 100

 

 

Birds of Prey Nature Photography by Gary D.Tonhouse Iowa Pheasant

REMEMBER:
The goods of the earth are gifts from God. We have a responsibility to care
for these goods as stewards and trustees, not as mere consumers and users.

Altering, copying, distributing, printing or any other unauthorized use of the images or content on this site requires written authorization from Gary D.Tonhouse.

A minimum of $1500.00 will be invoiced to anyone that I find using any of the images from the Reflective Images website that has not been given written authorization for the usage of the images.


I take piracy of my photographs very seriously and will vigorously take the steps needed to prosecute those who pirate my copyrighted photographs throughout my Reflective Images website.