This is a new species for me. Many swallowtails are similar but the distinction of this one is the large cell spot on each upper wing, backside. Similar ones are Giant, Thomas, and Ornythion Swallowtails. In fact, the first one I photographed was at Monteverde that I had labeled as a Thomas Swallowtail. But I was wrong. It is now in my Broad-banded gallery, based on those two cel spots again.
You can read about the Broad-banded Swallowtail or Papilio astyalus on Wikipedia or see more photos I’ve made in my new Broad-banded Swallowtail Gallery. I base my ID on photos in the book A Swift Guide to Butterflies of Mexico and Central America and particularly the two big cell spots on the upper wings. Butterflies continue to amaze me! And below are 5 new shots of this new one for me . . .
Just living is not enough,” said the butterfly, “one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.”
-Hans Christian Andersen
See also my 127+ species of CR Butterflies Gallery.
¡Pura Vida!
And in just 3 days I’ll be in the Osa Rainforest (Thursday)! And like the butterfly in Hans Christian Andersen’s above quote, I will be getting my “sunshine, freedom and a little flower” at the beautiful Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge. 🙂
Exotic wildlife and scenery guaranteed!
🙂