Josh took the reins of the camera while we planted this Dark Knight butterfly bush, which as you can see is doing credit to its name. This butterfly is so tattered that I’m not sure what kind it is—common buckeye? red admiral? I really need a good butterfly book to go with the excellent caterpillar guide that Dan suggested.
This butterfly bush has already attracted a great variety of insects. While it was waiting on the patio for us to plant it, the kids from up the hill got a great look at a hummingbird moth feeding from its blooms, which earned rave reviews from them. Both honey and bumblebees love it, as do the fritillaries that are so numerous right now.
Is this the same butterfly on a coneflower a few days earlier, and a little less tattered? The white markings make me think red admiral, but I need guidance from someone wiser than I am in the ways of butterflies.
