Battus_(butterfly)

<i>Battus</i> (butterfly)

Battus (butterfly)

Genus of butterflies

Battus is a New World genus of butterflies that are usually found around pipevine (genus Aristolochia) plants. The caterpillars feed off the poisonous pipevines, making the insects poisonous themselves; they taste very bad to ward off predators.[1] Since birds avoid these butterflies, other swallowtail species mimic their coloration. The common North American species are Battus polydamas and Battus philenor.

Quick Facts Battus, Scientific classification ...

Etymology

In Greek mythology, Battus is a shepherd who witnessed Hermes stealing Apollo's cattle. Because he broke his promise not to reveal this theft, Hermes turned him to stone.

Species

Listed alphabetically within groups:[2][3]

subgenus: Battuosa Möhn, 1999

species group: belus Möhn, 1999
species group: madyes Möhn, 1999

subgenus: Battus Möhn, 1999

species group: philenor
species group: polydamus Möhn, 1999
  • Battus polydamas (Linnaeus, 1758) – Polydamas swallowtail, gold rim swallowtail, or tailless swallowtail
  • Museum specimen of Battus philenor
  • Battus philenor caterpillar, high-temperature red form
  • Battus philenor caterpillar, low temperature black form
  • Battus philenor pupa

References

  1. [1]
    Pinheiro, Carlos E.G. (1996) Palatability and escaping ability in Neotropical butterflies: tests with wild kingbirds (Tyrannus melancholicus, Tyrannidae). Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 59(4): 351–365. HTML abstract
  2. [2]
    Battus, funet.fi
  3. [3]
    Glassberg, J. (2007) A Swift Guide to the Butterflies of Mexico and Central America, Sunstreak Books, pp.8-9.
  • Edwin Möhn, 2002 Schmetterlinge der Erde, Butterflies of the World Part V (5), Papilionidae II: Battus. Edited by Erich Bauer and Thomas Frankenbach Keltern: Goecke & Evers; Canterbury: Hillside Books. ISBN 978-3-931374-70-9 Illustrates and identifies 14 species and 49 subspecies.
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