Heraclides pelaus puertoricensis, a black butterfly endemic of Puerto Rico

Heraclides pelaus puertoricensis

This butterfly, Heraclides pelaus puertoricensis (in some places its named portoricensis, perhaps it was named in the Porto Rico era) is endemic of Puerto Rico and is common in some of our forests.  Getting close enough to one to be able to take a good photo of this species is not that common an ocurrence.  For some unknown reason this butterfly was amazingly indifferent to my proximity which allowed me to get very close to it.  In the Rio Abajo forest you can often see these butterflies flying around blooming trees and shrubs.  However they are always alert and react quickly to any attempt to get close to them by flying away.  My guess is that this butterfly was doing was a display to attract the attention of other butterflies.  When I touched it lightly it flew away with no sign of infirmity, and its wing were in good condition which dispels the possibility that it was ill.  

Two native butterflies in a mating dance, Heraclides androgeus epidaurus

These Heraclides androgeus epidaurus were brought to my garden by the massive flowering of an ice cream bean tree. Normally it is very difficult to photograph this courtship behaviour since it normally occurs high in the canopy but in this case the incredible abundance of food and the large number of other butterflies in the area seem to have made these ones throw caution to the winds. Getting a photo of these fast flying butterflies showing their courtship behavior was an stunning stroke of luck. The male is the yellow one.

These large butteflies are not particularly rare but since they normally live on forested areas few Puerto Ricans ever get to see them this close.