Snout

[Marty E]

I was totally shocked to discover this butterfly with a snout! Has anyone else seen one? It’s an American Snout butterfly.

[bucweeet]

I’m like you Marty… I had never heard of one either.  Great capture! @martye

[Marty E]

Thanks @paul-3! It’s always fun being surprised

 

[Robert Apple]

Yep, I’ve seen these guys before, look just like a dead leaf on a tree, or the ground , cool little buggers.

[Tersha]

I’ve never seen one either, Marty, though maybe they’re not in the UK. Great shot.

[Rob Wood (Admin)]

What is the extra snout for? Very odd! Nice shot though!

[Marty E]

Thanks for responding! @robertapple @tersha @admin-2

When I spotted the butterfly I wondered if it was holding something in its mouth like a twig but didn’t think that was possible so I took a hasty shot with my cell phone to take a closer look at it later.  Here’s what I found about the “snout” & where they’re located: “Snout butterflies have prominent elongated mouthparts (labial palpi) which, in concert with the antennae, give the appearance of the petiole (stem) of a dead leaf. Snouts often take advantage of this superb camouflage by hanging upside down under a twig, making them nearly invisible. Wings are patterned black-brown with white and orange markings. This species is found in both North and South America.”

[Dahlia Ambrose]

What a peculiar looking butterfly Marty! You have photographed it beautifully and thank you for the information on this butterfly 🙂

[Marty E]

Thanks, Dahlia! I love it when nature breaks the stereotype pointing us in a new direction. It’s an encouragement to break the status quo & try something new. We are built for that, just like a butterfly! 😀

 

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