One of the most unique butterflies in the United States is the American snout, Libytheana carinenta. It is named for its most promenant feature, a big old honking nose. Well, it is not really a nose, but it looks like one.
This butterfly can be quite common in other states, sometimes even forming swarms that are large enough to stop traffic. Typically only a few individuals show up in Iowa each year, and then only late in the year.
But this is an odd year. This individual is fairly beat up, but I saw another one about the same time that was fresher. I think this is the earliest I have seen this butterfly in Iowa.
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