Moth or Butterfly on Flower

I am not sure if this is a moth or butterfly. Taken in August

[eDorre]

Great POV!

[Yao RL]

wow, what a contrast, I thought it was a bat for a moment.

[tony gig]

Wonderful shot...Fav

[Pyrrhula]

Beautiful . The flower, the butterfly and the capture.

[Ann H. LeFevre]

You can tell the difference by the way they hold their wings. Moths lay them flat, butterflies hold them up. He seems to be in the middle of flapping them- so I'd have to check my insect book to compare pictures- but I don't have time right now. No matter what he is, the shot is great!

[Darlene]

What a great capture. I love the colors in the black wings and attached to this flower. Rarely see butterflies here and if so it is a blink as they move fast. Lucky you. FAV

[Beth]

Excellent capture. I guess "butterfly,' but I'm not sure.

[bkb in the city]

Nice catch

[Darlene]

Hope all is going ok. Getting ready for the holidays here. Its been cold and I have been sick but getting better with the worst cold I think I have ever had. I am grateful for online shopping. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

[Humphrey Hippo]

He looks rather big!
Closest I could find is a Black Swallowtail. http://www.carolinanature.com/butterflies/txleps.html

[Yao RL]

Brilliant composition and colors.

[Dione Giorgio]

Great close-up and detail. My first impression is that it is a moth.

[Harry J Benson]

good closeup and detail

[Pyrrhula]

Thank you for you visits and the nice comments .
Happy New Year.

[Darlene]

How are you doing? It's been way too long and this post is 2016. I am not posting much but commenting as I do and seeing who I find on here. Hope you had a nice Christmas and have a wonderful new year as well.