This is a bumblebee on the same flower. The butterfly is much smaller.

{{gwi:447411}}

Well, I guess no one knows. My friend Rick, who used to collect butterflies as a young teen like I did, say he thinks it is a type of metalmark. Some of the little metalmarks occur in relative isolation, are rather weak flyers and not seen very often it seems. He said he'd never seen one except in collections.

I followed some links in the thread about swallowtails and I think I found the little butterfly in my photo, size, coloring, arched wings, range and all.

This site is really nice :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Red-bordered Metalmark

Yes, it's a metalmark...but exactly which one is the question. My first thought is Red-Bordered Metalmark as we have those in south Texas. The topside looks exactly like a male one but seems to be lacking the metallic submargin. They are elusive little buggers and I've found that if the light is not exactly right the silvery line isn't picked up by the camera. The undersides are a fiery red orange color like that in your underside photo though.

Might be a Rounded Metalmark...as they are dark and similar to the Red-Bordered but the Rounded tend to have more distinguishable markings. I'd say your call was the right one.

Either way...it's a gorgeous little butterfly. I've not had any frequent my yard but I do see them fairly often back at the wild chile pequin plants back at the ranch and at the local NABA park.

~ Cat