Zebra swallowtail (on Sweet basil) by rhoing

Zebra swallowtail (on Sweet basil)

Packing day to travel tomorrow. The funeral for our good friend is the following day.

Confirmed at BAMONA as “Eurytides marcellus” or “Zebra swallowtail”; http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/1059347

Species page at BAMONA, http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Eurytides-marcellus
Species page at BugGuide, http://bugguide.net/node/view/3101

Missouri Botanical Garden regarding Sweet basil, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a689 » “Basil is a native of Africa and Asia. Tradition has it that basil was found growing around Christ's tomb after the Resurrection, and consequently, some Greek Orthodox churches use it to prepare holy water and pots of basil are set below church altars. In India, basil was believed to be imbued with a divine essence, and oaths were sworn upon it in courts. A number of varieties exist today, ranging from a tiny-leafed Greek basil to robust 2-foot-high plants with large succulent leaves. Some varieties have deep purple leaves. While flowers are typically small and whitish, some can be pink to brilliant magenta. Leaves can be dried for later use. Basil is extremely frost sensitive.

“Basil may be skeletonized by Japanese beetles. To control, remove beetles by hand.”

Species page at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Ocimum_basilicum&rank=binomial

1 year ago (“Crab spider”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2014-07-21
2 years ago (“Christine”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-07-21
3 years ago (“Nashoba Valley Winery”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-07-21
4 years ago (“Before”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-07-21

[ IMG_3639S12x9tm :: f/14 :: 1/1600" :: ISO-800 :: 250mm ]
Nice capture Thom. Safe travels and sorry about the loss of your friend
August 6th, 2015  
Kim
This is beautiful and such a great close up! Fav
August 6th, 2015  
Beautiful! Nice detail in flower and wing.
August 7th, 2015  
Superb. Beautiful colours in the wings and I like the context with the basil xx
August 9th, 2015  
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