Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Wings

These Eastern Tiger Swallowtails will never get their National Geographic moment, where they're photographed in the perfect position, with the perfect background, and in the perfect lighting. These guys have escaped some predicament or another with substantial wing damage. I don't really know what causes this damage. While I initially suspected the wings tore as they escaped from a predator, a lepidopterist felt that plant thorns were a more likely culprit.

July 18, 2021 at Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo 148189056, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

July 18, 2021 at Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo 148189418, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

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