Spicebush Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtails are similar to the other dark swallowtails, but can be quickly identified, even in flight, by the series of pale blue half-moons near the trailing edge of the hindwings. This one is a bit worn, missing its tails. The spicebush swallowtail derives its name from its most common host plant, the spicebush, members of the genus Lindera. The family to which spicebush swallowtails belong, Papilionidae, or Swallowtails, include the largest butterflies in the world. The Swallowtails are unique in that even while feeding, they continue to flutter their wings. Unlike other Swallowtail butterflies, Spicebushes fly low to the ground instead of at great heights.

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Posted in: Papilionidae,S,Spicebush Swallowtail

Sachem

Atalopedes campestris or Sachem is a small skipper. It is just over 1 inch long and is orange and brown. Females are slightly larger and have paler markings on the wings. Life cycle, host plants are various grasses, including lawn grasses. The caterpillar is dark green and black. It has multiple broods per year.

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Posted in: Hesperiidae,S,Sachem

Satyr Comma

Upperside of Satyr Comma is bright yellow-orange; forewing with two black spots near center of bottom edge; hindwing lacks a dark border, has a black spot in center of wing. Underside is light and dark golden brown, median band relatively straight; hindwing with a silver comma in center.In late afternoon, males perch on tree trunks and low vegetation in woodland openings to watch for females. Eggs are laid singly, in stacks, or in groups on the lower side of nettle leaves.

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Posted in: Nymphalidae,S,Satyr Comma

Sandhill Skipper

The Sandhill Skipper or Saltgrass Skipper (Polites sabuleti) is a butterfly in the Hesperiidae family. It is found from southern British Columbia and eastern Washington, south through California and northern Arizona to Baja California and east to south-eastern Wyoming, central Colorado, and north-eastern New Mexico. It is an introduced species in Hawaii.

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Posted in: Hesperiidae,S,Sandhill Skipper

Spring Azure

The Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) is a butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found in North America from Alaska and Canada south of the tundra through most of the United States except the Texas coast, southern plain and peninsular Florida; south in the mountains to Colombia.

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Posted in: Lycaenidae,S,Spring Azure