The Tale of Pugnacious Papilio

[bill and Dale]

Hi everyone,
      An exciting time of year for all kinds of migrations.  I wanted to
take a second to give a tip of my hat to some people and to relate an
anecdote.
Lately I've been stopping at the butterfly garden at the Nature Center
at Hammonasset Beach State Park and I wanted to express my gratitude to
the "Friends Of Hammonasset" and the staff of the Nature Center and
whoever else is responsible for the excellent shape of the butterfly
garden. I wanted to express my belief that it will attract many
interesting butterflies and insects in the next six weeks. Yesterday
there were about a dozen Monarchs there at any one time and still many
Broadwing skippers. Two Peck's skippers.  The Vanessa sisters, cardi and
virginiensis, the American and Painted ladies were present in equal
numbers, three each. There was a lot of other activity too.  Hymeris
thisby, the Hummingbird clearwing moth was represented by two
individuals and an Orange collared scape moth was nectaring along with
the bumblebees, wasps and yellowjackets.  While I was watching this show
a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird flew into the Liatrsis to feed. Now
I've always thought of Hummingbirds as feisty and I still do. They stand
their ground in most cases and have no fear of getting up in your face
if you trespass on their trap lines or approach their nesting area.  So
feeling as I do about Hummingbirds I was flabbergasted  when a male
Black swallowtail exploded out of the pine tree that borders the
butterfly garden and proceeded to chase, harass and finally drive the
Hummingbird out into the marsh.  Five minutes later the Rubythroat was
back and immediated the Swallowtail attacked, face to face combat, bug
versus bird.  Again Papilio was the victor. Finally a third duel ensued.
By now the Swallowtail was so confident that the outcome was never in
doubt. The Hummingbird put up a cursory defense and then retreated to
parts unknown: vanquished. As a result of witnessing this encounter I've
had to revise my conception of the nature of butterflies. While I still
consider Rubythroated Hummingbirds feisty now I know that Black
swallowtails can be downright pugnacious.
                                                                Bill
Yule