Nov. 13, 2016 - Como Park - Exotic Butterflies-1

Como Park is located in St. Paul, MN. This summer the park presented an exhibition of butterflies from around the world. I visited the display twice and here are some photos of the butterflies. This is Golden Birdwing (Troides rhadamantus). It is found in the Philippine Islands and has a wingspan of 14 to 16 cm (5.5 to 6.3 inches). Considerable variation in the amount of yellow on the hindwings occurs in butterflies found on the various islands.

ButterflyBirdwingGoldenTroidesrhadamantusComoParkPaul20160816

This is a Paper Kite (Idea leuconoe). It is found in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. It has a wingspan of 9.5 to 11.5 cm (3¾ to 4½ inches). Both the butterfly and its larva are poisonous.

ButterflyKitePaperIdealeuconoeComoParkPaul20160822

The Great Southern White (Ascia monuste) is found from the Atlantic and Gulf coast region of the United States south to Argentina. It has a wingspan of 6.3 - 8.6 cm (2 1/2 - 3 3/8 inches). Its caterpillar feeds on cabbage and radish plants and is sometimes considered a pest.

ButterflyWhiteGreatSouthernAsciamonusteComoParkPaul20160816

This is a male Leopard Lacewing (Cethosia cyane). Its range is from India to southern China. It has a wingspan of 6 to 7½ cm (2¼ to 3 inches).

ButterflyLacewingLeopardmaleCethosiacyaneComoParkPaul20160822

Here’s another view of a male Leopard Lacewing.

ButterflyLacewingCommonCethosiabiblisComoParkPaul20160816

The male Great Mormon (Papilio memnon) is native to Southeast Asia. It is a large butterfly with a wingspan of 12 to 15 cm (4¾ to 6 inches). It is a common butterfly found in forest clearings and around human habitation.

ButterflyMormonGreatmalePapiliomemnonComoParkPaul20160822

Another butterfly found in the Philippine Islands is the Pink Rose (Pachliopta kotzebuea). It has a wingspan of 9 to 10 cm (3½ to 4 inches).

ButterflyRosePinkPachlioptakotzebueaComoParkPaul20160822

This is obviously not a butterfly. The butterfly exhibit was near the bird exhibit at Como Park so I couldn’t resist taking a few bird photos. This is a Greater Flamingo.

I have many more butterfly photos from the Como Park exhibit. Click on the following link to see the entire gallery. http://www.earlorfphotos.com/Insects/Exotic-Butterflies-at-Como/n-JsGccD

FlamingoAmericanComoParkPaul20160816