June 15, 2012

The Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing is always full of amazing butterflies, but this month is more spectacular than usual. Not only are Blue Mountain Swallowtails (Papilio ulysses) already flying in the Wing, but soon there will be Hercules Moths (Coscinocera hercules) as well. Another brand new butterfly to the Butterfly Wing is a new species, the Magellan Birdwing (Troides magellanus). It was named after the Spanish explorer, Ferdinand Magellan who passed away in the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines where this butterfly is a native. You can tell the Magellan Birdwing from the Common Birdwing by looking at the pattern of yellow on their hindwings.