This big, bright 18 x 24 poster brings together my watercolor portraits of the butterflies found in the Chicago area.
One of the most common and widely distributed of all butterflies. V.cardui or very similar species can be found in nearly every part of the world. See more here!
B. bellona is a lovely butterfly that most people simply overlook. In early summer it can be found in parks and open spaces, flying low to the ground. See more here!
In the field, P. cresphontes can be spotted from a hundred yards away. Big, bright, and a strong flier, it is one of the largest butterflies in its range. See more here!
This butterfly is one of several related species that are beautifully camouflaged on the underside, an example of cryptic coloration. See more here!
This striking swallowtail butterfly is common in urban areas, where its caterpillar feeds on garden plants like carrot and dill. See more here!
Two of the most common butterflies in the Chicago area, these early summer species are at home in almost every environment.
These beautiful, understated butterflies feed on hackberry and related plants. They can sometimes be found flying along city streets.
Two of the most striking butterflies in the eastern US, these related insects sometimes overwinter and emerge in early spring.
Like the black swallowtail, P. glaucus is a familiar sight in urban parks and gardens, where it's known as the tiger swallowtail. See more here!
This butterfly, known as the red admiral, is another species common in urban areas. It flies quickly and often lands on people!
This butterfly is a near-perfect mimic of the monarch, Danaus plexippus, which is thought to be protected by the toxic sap of the foodplant, milkweed. See more here!
Rare in the Chicago area, but an unforgettable sight when it occurs. Clouds of green or blue on the hind wings set this species apart.
The iconic monarch has long been one of the commonest and most noticeable butterflies in the midwest, including Chicagoland.
Not often noticed by the casual observer, this sublimely beautiful insect occurs in the wooded areas of the city's nature preserves. See more here!
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