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An American lady butterfly feeds on a zinnia flower

 Image Number D3954-2

An American lady butterfly, Vanessa virginiensis, feeds on the nectar of a zinnia flower, showing its underside, or ventral, pattern. This pattern is very different than the butterfly's dorsal pattern, shown in the previous photograph. The ventral side of butterflies is often used for camouflage to avoid predators.

 

Photo by Peggy Greb.

 

640 pixels wide: (D3278-1.jpg)

 


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