News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Scapes: 2006

September 16, 2006 Staff photo by John Rottet [/assets/story/image_buynow.comp]
An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is attracted to a Purple Coneflower in Durham County. The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, along with the Monarch, is one of our most recognizable butterflies. After mating, female tiger swallowtails lay eggs on leaves of host plants. Host plants are the plants that caterpillars will eat. Host plants of Eastern Tiger Swallowtails include Yellow Poplar, Black Willow, Black Cherry, American Hornbeam, Red Maple, Spicebush, American Elm, and Sassafras. Eastern Tiger Swallowtails are found all over, especially near water, but also in meadows, gardens, parks, and roadsides. For more on this butterfly, go to http://www.fcps.edu/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/eastern_tiger_swallowtail.htm. The Purple Coneflower and its three cousins, Black Sampson (E. angustifolia), Pale Purple Coneflower (E. pallida) and E. atrorubens (no common name), are members of the sunflower family or Compositae.Ę The Compositae have two kinds of flowers combined in one flower head - strap-like ray flowers around the outside of the head and disk flowers in the center of the head.Ę The ray flowers make up what would be thought of as the petals. For more on these flowers go to http://www.gpnc.org/purple.htm.
About This Project


John Rottet
In "Scapes" photojournalist John Rottet looks at the places where we live, work and play. He will explore the beauty of nature, the elegance of architecture and the details of the surroundings that make our community unique.

More photos: 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 through August | 2007

Advertisements

Print Ads View all ads from past 7 days »

Hosting Partners of
newsobserver.com

© Copyright 2008, The News & Observer Publishing Company

A subsidiary of The McClatchy Company